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| Lady Thiang, the headwife in The King and I |
It's just the life Mrs. Elsie Flores-Gancia, a veteran of the stage. It was a shift from dream to reality, and where she learned her passion and found contentment, and a happy career and a good marriage.
Having put on different roles from being an old woman to being an immortal god, Elsie has brought laughter to her audience. Her theatre life started from a dream that has turned into a passion.
From beauty queen...
Elsie started out as a model and a beauty queen in her high school, having won various awards in all the competitions she joined.
Her victory would hinge on having clinched the top post in the talent and interview categories.
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| Sitang, embracing her son, Rito in Juanita Cruz |
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| Mrs. Pearce in My Fair Lady |
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| Amburukay of Panayanon |
“Upon knowing I am best in talent and interview, I know I would win. So, I always make it a point to get these awards,” she says.
With her 96 pound, 34-23-34 body-to-die-for, she had bagged the Miss United Nations 1989 and Ms. Foundation Day in 1990; 2 nd place in the search for Miss Foundation Day at the Southern Iloilo Polytechnic School in Miag-ao. Adding to her titles was being crowned as the Mutya ng Miag-ao in 1992.
During beauty pageants, she would either dance, sing, declaim or do monologues.
“I am always a dancer. I love ballet jazz, modern dance. At times, I also explore the unique choreography of disco derby.”
She has also taught choreography to the Parish Youth Ministry in the parish of Miagao. Because of what she has taught, the Youth Ministry has won awards, one of which is being the champion in the Disco Derby 1988 Halloween Contest.
Her declamation pieces and monologue speeches were venues for her english proficiency and added to her elegance on and off stage.
She always says: “I was never inferior especially with my physical appearance. I realized that in the contests I joined, it's not about the looks but rather the talent and being smart.”
...To in –house actress then to CCP performer
From beauty pageants, Elsie decided to change stages.
Her first role was being that of Kobang the mistress (she was then a heavy size then) in the zarzuela Dalagang Bukid, a production of the Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus.
Here, she brought laughter to her audience.
She went on to audition in the Leoncio Deriada's well-acclaimed work 'Panayanon: The Epics of Panay,' where she played the role of Amburukay the 'bruha' and Miyanunmon, the half man, half beast warrior. It was her 'breakthrough' role, and it was also her hardest.
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| A pat from well known filmmaker, Peque Gallaga |
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| Smiling with the country's composer Mr. Ryan Cayabyab |
The same play was given the National Circuit Tour and it was produced by the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts, Sambayan 2000 (Philippine Culture and Arts Festival) and Arts Council of the Philippines.
When she performed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, she received a standing ovation.
Elsie has also played Lady Thiang, the head and first wife to the King of Siam in Rodger's and Hammersteins 'King and I.' This is the role closest to her personality, and where she sung the song 'He's wonderful.' The song nearly describes her ideal man at a time where she was already contemplating on marrying her now husband.
She has also starred as Madame Liang in the musicale 'Flower Drum Song,' and as as the Cabinet and the Silly Girl in Walt Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast.' Her versatility in being a comedienne delighted her audience.
She also played Sitang and Doña Sela in the stage version of Magdalena Jalandoni's 'Juanita Cruz,' during which she was also the narrator. The play was staged both in Sagrado and in various theatres in Metro Manila, including the Meralco theatre and in the Cultural Center of the Philippines, where she was applauded to and was given the title 'one take queen.'
Her most recent role was playing Mrs. Pearce, a typical strict British governess in Alan Jay Lerner's 'My Fair Lady,' a play where she her best gave justice to the character.
A Simple Actress
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| Kobang in Dalagang Bukid |
The many characters she played in her various roles not only made her known as a “take one queen” to directors like Kevin Piamonte but also to Joan Paulette Libo-on, who directed her most recent play.
A secret she would always tell to amateur actors and actresses would include “be the character and not yourself.”
Elsie's exposure to theatre is also influence by her fellow actors and her supportive husband. “He is my number one fan, who always believe I can do better.”
She was also given the opportunity to work with acclaimed stage personality lawyer Rodolfo Cabado.
“Working with him had always been a dream of mine. The more I work with him, the more I learned. He is humble and never brags about his expertise. I think that made him more popular in the field. That is something one has to learn to thrive in theatre.”
Life in theatre is not easy. There are criticisms and pain. Elsie was never an exception. She managed to be where she is now because of her simplicity.
Her being true to herself and loving her craft without bragging brought her the satisfaction.
“I often hear words like: She's too big for the role, she doesn't suit; but this did not stop me in theatre. I know I'm in control of myself. In each performance I make, I just follow what the director tells me, even if it means to be on diet. So, if you got the chance to be in theatre – make the most out of it. What matters in theatre is talent; not your size, your background nor your age. Though at times, physical appearance does…don't make it an excuse that you can't be in theate.”
