‘The best form of flattery’

‘The best form of flattery’

By Willie Nepomuceno

Impersonation, impression, mimicry. Whatever you call it, it is one of the most popular forms of comedy regularly seen in the entertainment capitals of the world. Actors doing impressions are a regular act in comedy clubs, stage, radio and TV around the world.

Impersonations vary in form and style, from theatrical to political and social satire, to pure entertainment. It has always been synonymous with freedom of expression and speech. Jay Leno and David Letterman will have a lot of “standing up” to do when they hear about the anti-mimicking bill in Congress.

The most popular in this genre are the great American impressionists Frank Gorshin, Rich Little, Dana Carvey, Danny Gans and Vaughn Meader.

An impressionist or impersonator uses his body and voice to capture the essence of a person or a character in a skit or a monologue. Changing his voice, putting on an accent or using body mannerisms, he tells a story or a joke in a situation involving his subject. Vocal mimicry is important to replicate or simulate the voice, accent, vocal intonation or speech mannerism of the subject. Costumes and props could help.

All for fun. All of the above become illegal only when used to commit a crime, such as impersonating a police officer or mimicking a voice in the commission of a criminal activity. There is a law against this criminal act.

An impressionist apes celebrities to entertain. A lot of training, research, technique and discipline go into the process. It is not a skill that anyone can simply learn in school but calls for a special gift and a special talent. It is an art form. No wonder, someone said that mimicry is the sincerest form of flattery.

When you see me do an impression of former President Estrada, I do not mean to ridicule Erap or his mannerisms or way of speaking. I am doing the mimicry to comment on an issue or recall an event that involves his past, particularly the more interesting parts.

An actor portraying a subject uses all the elements of acting, including speech pattern, manner of dressing, mannerisms, etc., to complete the characterization. It helps when the subject has certain physical attributes, such as a mustache, a beer belly or enormous ears. If the subject wears eyeglasses or is a smoker, the impressionist will surely capitalize on these elements.

So that when an actor doing Sergio Apostol approaches the stand to cross- examine “your wetness” or Ben Abalos endorsing his delicious “burjer” or Boy Herrera lobbying for “Es-Is-Eys” (SSS) benefits, it doesn’t mean that he is ridiculing a regional accent but is simply recalling the verbal gaffe associated with the subject. Didn’t they sound funny, if not confusing, the first time you heard them?

I have nothing against the other provisions of the bill filed by Rep. Faysah-Racman Dumarpa. Racial slur and discrimination, indeed, should not be tolerated in a civil society. We should even go further to protest the discriminatory portrayal on TV, radio and movies of gays, the elderly, the disabled, the poor and “illegitimate” offsprings.

However, the provision criminalizing mimicry presents a multitude of gray areas very similar to the libel law.

I feel the congresswoman is barking up the wrong tree. I’d rather that the “cultural and religious discrepancies” be addressed by the Department of Education to create greater respect for religion and culture. The students should be made aware of the diversity and significance of different religious beliefs and traditions in a society.

A law will not solve the perceived discrimination. We know that in this country, there’s usually nothing wrong with the spirit of a law but how it is interpreted and implemented. Many Philippine laws are simply punitive. For example, when a crime occurs in a subdivision, the homeowners are the ones subjected to searches at the checkpoint and are forced to buy stickers for their “safety.”

 I’m afraid if the Dumarpa bill becomes a law, it may just be another vehicle for suppression similar to the anti-subversion act and similar laws.

A law should not scare people but protect them. Sure, we all need discipline. Of course, ignorance of the law excuses no one. But punishment alone will not reduce crime if there are no serious efforts to educate the citizenry (actually, make them understand and appreciate) on the social impact of discrimination.

We need laws to have peace and order. But this should not be interpreted like one of my characters who has a funny idea of achieving peace and order—“because of my ORDER, the criminals are now in PEACE.” Fairness and justice are still the essence of a law.

Willie Nepomuceno is the best impressionist in the business. A multi-awarded performer, he is a Fine Arts graduate of the University of the Philippines, a four-term board member of the UP Fine Arts Alumni Foundation and a former board member of the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, a community theater group. He has traveled all over the Philippines and the world to entertain audiences with his gift for mimicry. Willie Nep is so good at doing impressions that President Marcos reportedly told associates and friends to be on guard against callers that sounded like him because “it could be that guy Willie Nepomuceno!”