Read Rak of Aegis star Isay Alvarez-Sena's chronicle of beauty

Read Rak of Aegis star Isay Alvarez-Sena's chronicle of beauty

Lithe and vivacious, Isay Alvarez-Seña works the camera with not a hint at her grueling week on the wildly popular Rak of Aegis – where she plays barangay captain Mary Jane with wit and compassion. “I do yoga,” she quips, arching her back on cue.

Isay’s roster of roles is studded with strong, feisty women: Cory Aquino in Cory the Musical, vaudeville legend Katy de la Cruz in Katy! – and her breakout role bar queen Gigi in Miss Saigon.

“I think the most challenging was Katy because of the dancing, the kind of singing, the production – and I was sick then,” says Isay, who persisted despite being diagnosed with leukemia. “I was 95 lbs. I was not supposed to be performing at all. But I said, if I rest I will die. Every curtain call, thankful ako sa Diyos for sustaining me.” Her passion paid off – Isay won the Aliw Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Katy.

Isay has since overcome her illness and is at the peak of health, tirelessly campaigning for Philippine theater with her husband, Miss Saigon veteran Robert Seña. “When we came home from London, this has been our advocacy. If we don’t support local productions, we might as well forget our national artists who worked so hard to promote us, the culture, the artistry.”

While Rak of Aegis is still worlds apart from the dazzling sets of West End or Broadway, it manages to pull off some stunning sequences.“Ang Pinoy, iba ang ingenuity,” declares Isay. She lists Filipino productions she would love to see tour internationally: “Batang Rizal. Juan Tamad. Katy because she was able to bring pride to the country.”

Isay’s advice for aspiring theater actors is practical and down to earth: “I tell them not to stop learning even if you’re already the lead star. For Katy, I had to learn tap dance. I still enjoy learning and discovering things,” she says with a twinkle in her eye.

And to that we say: Bravo!

 

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