I found this article on Director SCUD, the SAME DIRECTOR OF MY FIRST FILM. You can read more here about his third film Amphetamines. I am so very proud to contribute my work to his 5th film The Voyage, currently in Post-production. This earlier film of his, Amphetamines, was one of him most internationally renowned films, nominated for even a Teddy by Berlin. Enjoy.
I haven’t said this sooner only because I didn’t want to make a promise I couldn’t keep. I tend to keep the direction of my life random, much like the direction of my art and the direction I travel. So this was not a promise I’m making easily but I do promise it all the same.
Being of sound mind and body, I, Sebastian Castro, hereby promise to release some of my random on this here PilipinoKuno blog every single day. Tignan mo. It’s official. Nagpapromise kita:
PROMISE: A #PilipinoKuno Blog Update Every Day–Either Art-in-progress, behind-the-scenes shot from my film, or more. — Sebastian Castro (@Sebastianslife) May 27, 2012
I promise you at least something new, every single day. Whether I’m at home, Manila, Tokyo, South America or sleeping in the corner of some airport parang homeless guy ulit. I’ll give you something, even if that something is a snapshot of me snoozing in an airport.
NOTE: My promise has an expiration date. 30 Days. Which means on June 27th, I’ll be partying.
Camera Still from The Voyage
Drawing Leni. One of my favorite scenes. Of course, the art I’m drawing is my own.
Last night, I only really got to see Hong Kong’s nightlife for the second time during my stay—with a celebrity packed birthday party to boot.
FrancisCheng
Since I got to Hong Kong, I have either been preparing art for the The Voyage, preparing my acting for the Voyage, traveling somewhere else to film for the Voyage, or filming for, you guessed it, the Voyage.
Direk Scud kindly took me out to the B-day party of friend Francis Cheng— the man behind Occasion’s PR and Hong Kong’s biggest of parties/events/launches/runways. Those that know me, know I love a birthday party like no other—I was deprived the first 18 of mine. Cheer’s to making up for lost time! (Childhood sob stories can always wait..Life cannot.)
I met Francis for the first time after our group had come back from Lady Gaga’s second concert in HK. Naturally, HK was a-buzzing. They say Francis knows everyone. Mother Monster, not excluded.
Lady Gaga and Francis Cheng
A concert to remember!
Post-Gaga-concert-frenzy, I overheard Francis say that he had only felt this way about meeting someone two other times in his life. The first was Actress Lin Qing Xia and the second was Jude Law.
My Birthday Present Portrait
Knowing not much more about him. I decided to take this little tid-bit I did know, scratch my head, pump up the creative juices in my head, and pop out what you’re looking at. I give you–my latest piece, a Francis Cheng portrait.
In a nut shell: I have not just been making art forThe Voyage (2012), I am acting in it as well.
For months, I led just about everyone in my life to believe I was only producing art for the film. Nope. I was not flown around the world just to paint. For once in my life, my wild travels actually had a purpose. And, that purpose is my first movie role.
This was a hell of an experience! All-around memorable. Humbling. I am very proud to have contributed my small piece to this film.
My Role
The Voyage(2012) is really four stories in one. Of those four, the story of Leni Speidel and I centers on a love affair gone wrong, so wrong I eventually kill myself.
But, I’m going to cut myself short. I have to save some good stuff for later. After all, you have to wait several months before even getting to the trailer, di ba? Our first press release:
Our first appearance on SCREEN INTERNATIONAL..I know I am a lil late but..better late than never http://t.co/eBsb8UrO
I have always introduced myself as an artist, and I always will. Why?
I don’t think I would have gotten away with half the shizz I have in life, were I not calling myself an artist. You can just about get away with anything. Think of all the possibilities, all those questions you can now answer. Did Sebastian really just eat that? Is he on something? Is the guy skinny-dipping?! Why does he look like that? Oh my Gulay?!? Look at how much easier the conversation suddenly looks!
“Are you sure Sebastian isn’t completely baliw? “
“Hindi! He’s just an artist. Ganyan na lang sya.”
“Oh. (Pause) Sige- sige.”
So now that you know I’m trying to justify my lack of sanity, it’s extra important you remember your line. “Oh, he’s just an artist. Wag kang mag-alala.” Wink-wink.
Answer: I’m An Artist & Performing Artist Maybe
I did not wake up yesterday and decide to become an actor. That would be nice. I’ve spent most of my waking life training to become the most universal performer humanly possible. Training to sing, dance, and act wasn’t enough. I have that language learning obsession as well. You see, I have the crazy idea of taking on acting roles in different languages. I can’t think of anything more absolutely challenging than convincing audiences on the opposite side of the world I could pass for a local. I love the idea so much I’m willing to invest years of my life to make it happen. Dear Philippines, sa tingin nyo kaya ko kaya? Kung alam nyo lang, most aspiring actors can be found wading tables all over Hollywood. Totoo yun.
Instead I’ve been at one casting after another, one audition after another, all in more than half a dozen different cities, different film markets, completely different countries, all over the course of years. I don’t plan on stopping now. I’ll forever be a kid with a crayon chasing his dreams. You’re always welcome to watch, point, and laugh!
I asked what you thought I should call you. Because I love you, I decided you should decide. And your answer was: Sebsters !!
Thank you for having my back. You always have my love.
A Few Camera-Stills For Now
Tday was one of those days–I fall in love, fell heart-broken, died 10 times, with a couple resurrections to spare.— Sebastian Castro (@Sebastianslife) April 19, 2012
It’s not every day I get to swim in a fountain, fall in love, and kill myself–and in Hanover, Germany no less. Enjoy the snapshots! More to come, as always.
Resting in-between takes
I die. Eventually.
Green screen shots before their composite
I’m trying to follow directions. Looks funny doesn’t it?
This thing hurt like so many potty-mouth words my mom told me never to use.
Leni Speidel
The Artist. Me.
Laughter on set.
Magic.
He’s fixing that tie I don’t have on.
Brr-rr-rr! It’s cold!
After shooting my very last shot of the day, I finally get out of the wires. Can you tell how happy I am?
Blogging Since: Feb 20, 2012
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SEB ANNOUNCEMENT
As promised, I've popped out a blog a day every day for the last 30 Days. And, I'll continue to have more random "Pilipino Kuno" for you. I just need to focus on a single song for the next few weeks.
More TheSebatianCastro Youtube coming soon.
Want to Reach Me? Leave a comment! I read them all. :-) Peace!
“I have come to accept the feeling of not knowing where I am going. And I have trained myself to love it. Because it is only when we are suspended in mid-air with no landing in sight, that we force our wings to unravel and alas begin our flight.
And as we fly, we still may not know where we are going to. But the miracle is in the unfolding of the wings. You may not know where you're going, but you know that so long as you spread your wings, the winds will carry you.”
— 
