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June 9 1:06 PM2014 Print ArticleEmail LinkTweetTweet 198by Rocky Christopher Fajardo

Rachelle Ann Go

Rachelle Ann Go sits down with BroadwayWorld.com's RockyChristopher Fajardo.

EXCLUSIVE: Part One - In Conversation withMISS SAIGON'S Rachelle Ann Go

BWW PhilippinesSpecial Report!

London's pre-summerlate afternoon weatheris drizzly and draboutside the PrinceEdward Theatre on May29, 2014, but inside thelavish Julie Andrewssuite, whereBroadwayWorld.com(BWW) is invited tohave a cosy chat over acup of tea with RachelleAnn Go, Miss Saigon's

Gigi Van Tranh, the late spring showers that day seem continents away.

Bedecked in Dame Julie Andrews memorabilia with a regal black upright piano as its centerpiece, thesuite's ambient lighting sets off a comfortable glow; the temperature just the right amount of toasty;and the bustling noises coming from Miss Saigon's video trailer filming are all muffled out by the plushwood-paneled doors.

Let the Sunshine In: A Single,Fiercely Happy Independent YoungWoman

15 minutes later, the doors demurelyopen to invisible, imaginary chimes asRachelle Ann (Shin to friends andlegions of devoted fans) walks in,almost a shimmering sprite in robustspirits. Her elegant wavy black manecascading way below her shouldersonto her slim frame (yes, she has sheda considerable amount of weight) paintsa totally striking contrast to the simplewash-and-wear shoulder-length blackwig that Gigi Van Tranh sports in MissSaigon's Dreamland.

Rachelle Ann glows with a highly infectious sparkle, almost radioactive--once the young actress crosses the threshold,the Julie Andrews suite gets a dose of instant sunshiny Shin.

Her newfound independence has emblazoned a mark on her broad smile and purposeful gait. Almost fleetingly, she

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Rachelle Ann Go as Gigi Van Tranh (Photo: MichaelLe Poer Trench)

checks her reflection in the mirror hanging above the duvet before sitting down for the precisely-timed, quick 20-minute chat.

"This is actually the first time I've been alone and away from home for this long. At first it was so hard!" Rachelle Annshares, visibly trying to relax but hardly able to keep her enthusiasm bottled in.

"My first day here was, I can't explain it, but 'yun nga, I don't know how to do laundry, I don't know how to cook! NowI'm so proud of myself, I can say expert na ako sa adobo, sa kare-kare, sa gising-gising, all those Filipino dishes, youname it!" she bursts out in a melodic self-assurance that may well perhaps rival the confidence of Dame JulieAndrews' Maria in The Sound of Music, as she describes her first few weeks coping with an independent life inLondon.

(My first day here was, I can't explain it, but that's how it was, I don't know how to do laundry, I don't know how tocook! Now I'm so proud of myself, I can say I'm an expert [at cooking] adobo, kare-kare, gising-gising, all thoseFilipino dishes, you name it!)

She goes on to animatedly detail the many ways she has metamorphosed into a self-reliant young woman away fromthe comforts of home--a 10-year solid music career in the Philippines, where the extra stresses of work are eased bypersonal assistants, and a support system comprising of family, fans, and most especially of the caring, guiding handof her mom, who would accompany her to almost all of her shows. Now she stands a bold Filipina Londoner--takingthe tube with her many close friends from the musical (or sometimes even on her own) doing some sightseeing, thegrocery shopping on Sundays, and personally tending to the demands of the intense grind of everyday rehearsals andnightly shows at the West End.

"Every night, every show, I do my make-up. For the make-up of Gigi, she has to be strong. Feeling ko naman 'yungfeatures ko are very strong, so kailangan ng red lips, matapang lang; and si Gigi kasi siya yung head 'dun sa bar sokailangan siya 'yung naka-falsies. Naka-wig ako dito sa show. It's a different Rachelle Ann," she laughingly continues.

(Every night, every show, I do my make-up. Forthe make-up of Gigi, she has to be strong. I feellike my features are very strong. I need stark,red lips; and since Gigi is the main girl at thebar, her eyes need to pop out, thus the falsies. Iwear a wig in the show. It's a different RachelleAnn.)

Shin, who received her first Best Actress nodfrom BroadwayWorld Philippines for her role asAriel in Disney's "The Little Mermaid," fondlyrecalls that defining moment, sharing how it hasfurther inspired her to explore her career goalsin the Philippines and, later on, in theinternational theatre industry.

"When I was a kid, meron akong dream, sabi kogusto kong maging best actress; and when I gotthe award nakakatuwa, kasi kumbaga nangyari,and after 'nun gusto ko gumawa ng mgamusicals pa na susunod, and baka mas madamipang awards ulet. Walang masamangmangarap 'diba?" she shares, effervescent withdelight.

(When I was a kid, I had a dream, I told myself Iwant to win a best actress award; and when Igot the award it was such a happy moment,because it did eventually happen. After that Iwanted to do more musicals, and maybe perhaps win other awards. There's nothing wrong with dreaming, right?)

"Ang dami [ko ng ka-close dito]! Bukod sa mga Pinoy--marami-rami din ang mga Pinoy--we have 18 differentnationalities here. Iba't ibang kultura ang natututunan namin everyday. Natuto na rin ako ng iba-ibang lenggwahe:Dutch, Japanese, Chinese, Welsh, o 'di'ba, so nakakatuwa!" she laughs when asked who her closest friends areamong the 40 or so actors in the production.

(There are a lot [that I am close to]! Apart from the many Filipinos here, we also have 18 other actors of differentnationalities. We learn about a variety of cultures everyday. I've even learned a little of some foreign languages suchas Dutch, Japanese, Chinese, Welsh, yes, it's just so amusing!)

Rachelle Ann goes on to share her journey of delving into the emotionally draining task of taking on the role of theembittered Gigi night after night. With Sundays for church as her only respite from the character, she also spends

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(Center) Rachelle Ann Go (Gigi) in a scene with Hugh Maynard(John) Photo: Matt Dunham

On press night's curtain call (Photo: Richard Davenport)

most of her quiet, alone time in the picturesque Notting Hill - her favourite spot in Central London.

"I love the movie Notting Hill! When I came here last year for the auditions, 'yun talaga ang unang tinarget ko, NottingHill, at binabalik-balikan ko 'yun ngayon... Ang daming cafes and vintage shops, that's what I love!" she says with alonging smile playing on her lips.

(I love the movie Notting Hill! When I came here last year for the auditions, that was my first target destination, NottingHill, and it's a place I always come back to... There are a lot of cafes and vintage shops, that's what I love!)

Rauchy, Raucous, and Ready

A Miss Saigon Legend's WiseWords:

They will not think about what you'rewearing, they will remember yourvoice, your performance, and it's justa character...

"'Yun na lang talaga yung iniisip ko,laging bumabalik sa'kin 'yung sinabing'yun ni Miss Lea Salonga," she shares,quoting the mantra that gives her theconfidence boost whenever she battleswith body-consciousness each timeshe's on stage in any of Gigi's raunchyoutfits.

(That's what I always try to hold on to, it's just stuck in my mind, what Miss Lea Salonga told me.)

"'Yung bilbil ko, at yung taba ko, my gosh!!! Paano ba maitatago?" she bursts out laughing.

(My lovehandles, my fat, oh gosh! How will I hide them?)

Fans have been noticing and positively remarking on her gradual weight loss since she arrived in London to attendrehearsals in March--the natural question being how does a busy girl keep fit on top of such a hectic schedule?

"Mukha pa ba akong fit?" she giggles.

("Have you seen the show yet?")

She embarrassedly asks this writer if he has seen her in Gigi's outfits.

"Hard work lang din talaga, kulang lang din siguro sa tulog, kaya 'eto pumapayat. The first time I went on stagewearing that bikini, andun lang ako sa isang corner, parang excuse me po," she says, admitting to having to get overan initial shyness when she first donned Gigi's bawdy getups.

(It's mostly just hard work and fewer sleep hours that's why I'm slimming down. The first time I went on stage wearingthat bikini, I was just at one corner thinking 'oh no please don't mind me.')

"Oh, the fur for the 'American Dream'(number), Naku sabi ko parang hindi koyata kaya 'to, pero 'yun naman, ayunnasanay na rin, because I don't need totake off the fur. So ayun parang tease-tease na lang, ganun," Rachelle Anncontinues. And teasing shemesmerizingly accomplishes as Gigi'sblack locks turn golden blonde in Jon-Jon Briones' 'American Dream'--wearing nothing but a sleek white furwrap, revealing just enough sheenedskin to titillate, giving a naughty frontalpeek at Shin's toned torso.

(Oh, the fur for the 'American Dream'[number], Oh wow, I thought I might not be able to pull that one off, but then I got used to it anyway because I don'tneed to take the fur off. I would just tease a little bit with it, that was it.)

To be continued...

In Part Two, Rachelle Ann talks more about Gigi and Miss Saigon, reflects on her love life, gives love advice

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12 comments

Rocky Christopher Aquino Fajardo Program Coordinator at FEATI UniversityThanks you!!!Reply Like Unfollow Post June 10 at 2:34pm

Rocky Christopher Aquino Fajardo Program Coordinator at FEATI University*Thank you!!!Reply Like June 10 at 2:36pm

Ester Grace Bola Zaballa The National Teachers CollegeWhat a nice interview Thank you for this interview. We really miss Ate Shin (Rachelle Ann Go) Keep safeate Shin and Thank You to the interviewer :)Reply Like Unfollow Post June 11 at 11:31am1

Rocky Christopher Aquino Fajardo Program Coordinator at FEATI UniversityThank you!!! Part two will be out next week!!!Reply Like June 11 at 3:05pm2

Ludwig Patrick Caizares AlejandroI love how this article has emphasized her passion for her craft and her willingness to share her experiences...awesome! More power!Reply Unlike Unfollow Post June 12 at 2:01am3

Rocky Christopher Aquino Fajardo Program Coordinator at FEATI UniversityThank ypu :-) it was an honor to have interviewed her and i had a great time writing the article :-)Reply Like June 12 at 6:16am1

Maria Isabel Lopez Actress:The Legal Wife, Parekoy, Alyna, Kung Ako'y Iiwan mo, Lovers inParis, etc. at ABSCBN 2,075 subscribersI'm proud of you, Rachelle Ann Go... Wow the world, girl!Reply Unlike Unfollow Post June 11 at 2:27pm

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Rocky Christopher Aquino Fajardo Program Coordinator at FEATI UniversityShe is awesome!!!Reply Like June 11 at 3:06pm2

Madz YacapA well written article..it gives us an idea of what she do as Gigi, her experiences when she arrived in Londonand her feelings during the initial performance...can't wait for part 2..Reply Like Follow Post June 10 at 9:11am1

Oliver Oliveros Following Top Commenter Regional Director at BroadwayWorld.com 172subscribersThank you...Reply Like June 10 at 1:09pm

Maricon Sison Rombawa Top Commenter UP Baguiolove rachelle ann go. i consider her the most talented girl in the philippines...thank you for this article. i likereading anything about her. she deserves nothing but good reviews knowing how hardworking she is inaddition to her innate talent. she is truly a gem. worthy of praise definitely. salamat salamat!Reply Like Unfollow Post Yesterday at 9:28am

Rocky Christopher Aquino Fajardo Program Coordinator at FEATI UniversityThank you!!!Reply Like Yesterday at 7:52pm1

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For the last five years, Rocky has beenperforming as lead male vocalist for differentshowbands in Southeast Asian countries,which led him to grace several magazinespreads in Malaysia in 2012; and paved the

way for guest appearances on Cambodian TV in 2013, and aduet with Tony winner Lea Salonga in her major concert inManila in 2009.

This year, Rocky has traded away the microphone anddancing shoes for the writing pen and whiteboard marker: hislove for music and musical theater steered his professionalwriting debut as a correspondent for BroadwayWorld.comcovering the international touring production of WICKED inManila in January. At the same time, his Masters Degree inEnglish has prompted a second career as full-time faculty and as Mass Communications Program Head at FEATIUniversity in Manila.

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EXCLUSIVE: Part One - In Conversation with MISS SAIGON'S Rachelle Ann Go

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