“Acting is not about pretending—it’s about awakening.”

This truth came alive during the LAKARAN Acting Workshop and Mini Series led by the ever-passionate Direk JP Ninalga and produced by LAKARAN Productions under SEA Inc. What began as a creative exercise quickly transformed into a movement—one where artistry meets purpose, and performance becomes a mirror of our shared Filipino spirit.

The Spark: From Drama to Depth

First session pa lang, pero grabe na agad ang drama, tawa, at truth bombs! Under Direk JP’s sharp (and slightly dramatic) direction, participants discovered that acting isn’t just about lines and cues—it’s about truth. Each gesture, stare, and silence became an act of self-discovery.

From simple expressions to soul-stirring scenes, the workshop unearthed a deeper calling: to use acting as a tool for awakening identity and empathy. Because in LAKARAN, art is not escape—it’s encounter.

The Breakthrough: Stories in Motion

When the cameras rolled, the story came alive—literally.

Day 1 captured the essence of Filipino life, complete with merkado vibes, ayuda distribution scenes, a MOA signing sequence, and the iconic bahay kubo backdrop that transported everyone to the heart of our collective memory.

By Day 2, the crew ventured into the Palayan Chronicles, where rain turned the rice fields into both stage and symbol. The downpour became part of the story—reminding everyone that resilience is the truest kind of art.

And when the skies refused to clear, creativity took over. Umbrellas became props, puddles became sets, and teamwork became the storyline.

The Challenge: Truth in Every Take

Behind every laugh was grit. The On-Cam Test & Action Scenes Workshop led by Stuntman Arnel Layos pushed participants beyond comfort and into courage. From choreographed falls to slow-motion punches, they learned that authenticity demands control—and that truth, once embodied, cannot be faked.

As Direk JP often reminds his actors, “Sa bawat kilos, may kuwento. Sa bawat eksena, may kaluluwa.” Every motion carries meaning; every scene, a spirit.

The Flame: Art as Nation-Building

What began as an acting workshop now burns as a vision—national transformation in motion. Through InnerStory Realism Acting, participants learned that to act truthfully is to live consciously; to express deeply is to awaken collectively.

Because in LAKARAN, acting is not mere performance—it is a path toward rediscovering who we are as Filipinos, as dreamers, and as a people walking toward a sacred destiny.

Lights, camera, LAKARAN—the saga continues.