How does one celebrate her 93rd birthday in this time of pandemic?
For multihyphenate Celia Diaz Laurel, she opted to celebrate it by launching her latest coffee table book aptly titled My Lives Behind the Proscenium on May 29 via Facebook Live.
The mother, wife, philanthropist, writer, painter, thespian, theater production, and costume designer dedicated to the women and men whose encouragement and confidence helped her become an actress namely: Mother Immaculada (Assumption Convent); Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero (UP Dramatic Club, University of the Philippines); Sonia Rifkin and Doña Trining Legarda (Manila Community Players); James B. Reuters S.J. (Ave Maria Players and The Cathedral Players); Constance Welch (Drama Department, Yale University); Behn Cervantes (who persisted in urging her to write this book about her life in the theatre); and husband Salvador “Doy” Laurel, who understood her calling and allowed her to grow not only as an actress but as a person.
The book chronicles the life that Celia Diaz Laurel led with chapter titles: Stage-struck at Five, Wartime Years, Dramatic UP Days, Yale Years, Back to the Stage at Repertory Philippines.
“Celia has written an entertaining story about her theatrical life in a straightforward, simple, style that not only will give the curious reader an insight into her life and the social milieu of her time but is a historical narrative of the early years of Manila theatre and the personalities who were part of it. She writes about her early personal life as the background for the successful career she carved out for herself—not only as an actress but as a set and costume designer,” wrote Joy Virata in the foreword of the book.
Celia Diaz Laurel shares her insights about her book.
“To become a painter one needs a medium such as charcoal, pastels, watercolor, oils or acrylic. Armed with an instrument such as a brush, a palette knife, or even your fingers to apply the medium on any surface you choose, you are free to paint anywhere you please – indoors or outdoors. But to become an actor one needs a good script, a director, actors to work with, a producer, a stage, lights, and most of all—an audience. Not too many realize that the positive energy from an audience is an essential ingredient that makes, or un-makes, a show”
“Living more than a hundred lives behind the proscenium made me understand the human heart. From my first role to my last – I offered each performance as a sign of my gratitude to my Heavenly Producer,” she ended.
My Live Behind the Proscenium is edited by Suzie Laurel-Delgadon and Cocoy Laurel; Dulce Festin-Baybay (Editorial Consultant), Miriam R. Castillo (Project Coordinator), Sarah L. Sanz (Photo Editor), Nestor Amador Malgapo Jr. (Book Design and Cover).
