Yanah to the theater born

MANILA, Philippines - Singer-actor Franco Laurel consistently beams with pride, even on his social media account, every time his younger sister, Margarita Angela “Yanah” Laurel, has notched a stellar accomplishment professionally.

“I have always loved performing, but I never thought it would be a professional path for me to pursue,” grants Yanah, a BA Writing graduate from the University of the Philippines. “I had wanted to become a lawyer. However, my passion for performing grew stronger and the call of the stage was undeniable. What was once a supposed hobby grew to become a true love affair and one I could not turn away from.”

To Yanah, performing is “innate” and “a natural part of my day.” She was active in school productions as a child, though none of her family members insisted she performs or even tries it. From school productions, she went on to auditioning for professional shows.

“Growing up surrounded by performers and artists allowed me to learn, appreciate, love and have sheer enjoyment in it,” Yanah offers. “Being surrounded by a musical family definitely made a mark on me and influenced me to pursue performing,” she offers. “It was a decision that came naturally, making it more special for me.”

She treasures the valuable advice she received from her family. “To love and respect my craft and to always be kind to everyone you work with,” Yanah reiterates. “I was taught to work hard, remain committed and disciplined, above all, never lose the love and passion I have for performing. It may sound cliché, but it is very true. I’ve learned that at the end of the day, your passion and love for your craft is what will drive you against the obstacles and difficulties. It will not always be easy, but if you are fueled with the passion to persevere, that makes all the difference.”

Yanah’s first professional foray into theater was at the age of nine. She performed in Lives, the musical by Floy Quintos. “I played the character of Zoe,” she recalls. “I had actually begun my performing career guesting in concerts, which later led to musical theater. I took a break to focus on school, but once I graduated high school, I began my theater journey full throttle.”

Yanah performed with Repertory Philippines, Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG), Dulaang UP, Resorts World Manila and 9Works Theatrical. “The most challenging role I have ever played would be a tie between Joan in the musical Fun Home (ATEG) and Whatsername in American Idiot (9Works Theatrical),” Yanah declares.

However, her biggest role to date was the feisty and spunky Lauren in the recently staged, highly successful and well-received Kinky Boots, mounted by ATEG. She got to work anew with Nyoy Volante and Laurence Mossman. The musical was directed by Bobby Garcia.

Yanah terms it “inspiring” to work with a director like Bobby. “I have worked with direk Bobby since I was 18,” Yanah says. “I have been honed by him and through him, I learned the value of my job. He has embedded in me how much of a privilege the position we are in is, that being able to do what we love and call it our job is a beautiful gift to embrace and nurture. Direk Bobby has played a truly significant role in my life and career.”

Yanah’s favorite musicals are The Last Five Years, American Idiot, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, The Color Purple, If/Then. Meanwhile, her dream roles are Cathy in The Last Five Years, Jenna Hunterson in Waitress, Diana in Next To Normal, Veronica in Heathers and Zoe in Dear Evan Hansen, to name a few.

Recently, Yanah ventured into recording and released her first single, You Said, written and produced by Nino Alejandro under Mad Monkey Records and exclusively on Spotify. She will be seen next onstage as the beautiful and wealthy Truly Scrumptious in Resorts World Manila’s upcoming staging of the musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Yanah does not hide the fact that she has been seeing fellow theater actor Rafa Siguion-Reyna, for “a little over a year” now. They actually met in grade school, but little did they know they would actually date each other. The first time they worked together professionally was in ATEG’s production of Saturday Night Fever the Musical.

“We began dating a few months after that and it has been an adventure ever since,” Yanah says. “Rafa is an amazing man, I refer to him as my Creature, simply because of how he marches to the beat of his own drum and I love that.”

Settling down is not in their immediate plans, neither has it been seriously discussed. Though Rafa’s mom, Bibeth Orteza, admits she has been consistently asking the two about it. “We’re simply enjoying where we are now and let’s just say, who knows?” Yanah quietly surmises.