Tags
best magic show, best magician, birthday, birthday party, entertainment, Filipino magician, illusion, IMC, Inner Magic Club, Inner Magical Club, magician, magician in the philippines, Manila, parties, Philippines, Pinoy, Pinoy magician
Yesterday, somebody rang me up on my mobile phone.
The caller was a lady researcher from a popular weekly TV program. She wanted to know if I was interested to appear on her program to reveal magic tricks.
She was sweet. “We will let you wear a mask, so that nobody will recognize you.”
How considerate and thoughtful of her! Offering me a mask to betray my art.
What was the mask for?
In her simple-minded understanding of the art of snitching, the mask will protect me from harm in the event my exposure would turn some magicians in the Philippines into demented carabaos. Or when I drive a number of them to violence.
I thought she was thoroughly clueless not to understand that magic is the profession of many Filipinos in the magic community. It brings food to their tables. It is a goose that lays golden eggs. Why would I even contemplate of killing the goose by exposing magic secrets and affect the livelihood of fellow magicians?
I was hurt. For being asked to play the Masked Magician, I felt she had a low regard of me.
In my younger days, her invitation would have driven me mad. I probably would have hit the ceiling. I would then say something nasty to her.
But over the years I have mellowed. I understand she was just a researcher doing her job. In fairness to her, she was doing it well. She got my cell phone number. How did she do that? I have no idea, but I know it’s her job to find even the most obscure personality in the county, if her TV station would assign her the task.
What I hate about the Masked Magician is not really his rampaging to expose magic secrets. Many magicians without masks expose magic secrets daily, when they perform under-rehearsed tricks. Or when, by carelessness, they mess up their tricks. Heavens know I have—several times in the past. Nobody’s perfect. I have sinned too.
If exposures per se doesn’t rile me up, what then?
It is the effect of the Masked Magician’s revelation to the integrity of magic performers.
Some people outside the magic community have entertained the idea that all magicians, or a least a good number of them, are mercenaries. They can be bought, at bottom rock prices, to betray their art.
Not only that, influenced by the masked betrayer, lay people think they can promote cowardice and get away with it by asking the snitches to wear masks.
What a letdown. Wearing a mask on the road to ignominy…hmm and grrr!
Stay magical,
Leodini
Leodini's Inner Magic 
im proud of you classmate leo… you have taken a stand and defended your magic family and friends… you have resisted a strong and nasty temptation that may have taken some down just like the masked magician , but you stood strong…may you disseminate your genes some more and increase your tribe. he he he.
LikeLike
Hi Fidel,
Thanks for the nice words of encouragement.
Are you back in the country? I noticed you have been touring around the world these past weeks.
Best,
Leo
LikeLike
Hi Leodini,
This is really very sad that this is happening… last night, i was at the Salamangkero’s meeting and there were rumors that someone did took the bait… As to how much, i dont have a clue…
The show is called Rated K, and i dont know if Ms. Korina Sanchez is aware of such segment, because she has been somewhat a supporter of magic, having featured different local Magic Club and local magicians in the same TV Program.
And now, they are unto us by exposing our art??? STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!
The writers and researchers of her show are either STUPID or Newbeeies out to make good credentials on the expense of the Magical Art. These stupid people were offering Php 20,000 to Php 30,000 or more just to find someone to expose magic which is an Art.
Let’s change the scenario… If i have a TV show and would like to do a segment as to why Sen. Roxas is sopurgraping after losing his Vice Presidential bid… I will call up Korina and offer her money in exchange for an interview… how would she feel….
I call upon Ms. Korina Sanches-Roxas to look into this matter as she will be somewhat held responsible should some magician will be out of work because of this exposure… Magic is an Art and should be treated with respect.
I rest my case….
LikeLike
Hi Chubster,
In my phone conversation with the TV researcher, I didn’t get far enough to ask for their offered price. I’m surprised it is even P20,000 to P30,000 (well, probably P30,000, the exact amount Judas sold Jesus, if we consider inflation over the years).
Is that the price for each trick exposed or for the appearance in the whole segment?
The last Pinoy Masked Magician settled only for pennies (which is spelled “peanuts” by stingy TV producers).
Stay magical,
Leodini
LikeLike
Hi Leodini,
I heard that at first, they were offering Php 20,000, then they raised it up to Php 30,000 because they were having a hard time finding a magician to do the “job”. As far as i know the amount quoted was for the whole segment…
I can’t imagine they have a budget like that for one segment alone, talk about corruption…
Chubster
LikeLike
bai leo,
you have a nice blog topic right here and hopefully will catch the attention of more local magicians that they may see and realize how vulnerable the circle is to threats from the inside. There is a real threat worth 30k… which may light the wick of a hidden dynamite inside the magic circle or would it push the timer button to self destruct… i think its time to secure your ranks… im amazed how similar 30k is to the 30 pieces of silver, Judas received in exchange for the suffering and eventual death of our Lord Jesus… just a thought.
im home now and plan to visit our friends in dipolog to have another meeting next week. will be in touch..
LikeLike
Hi Fidel,
Thanks for your insights. I know you are a lover of magic, performing simple tricks to family and friends now and then. That must explain why you feel our angst when our art is attacked by exposures.
I’ll be in Cebu City July 9-10. Will perform at our family grand reunion on the 10th at the Cebu Convention Center. I hope to hook up with Fluv when I’m there. I’ll appreciate it very much if you can text me his mobile phone number.
Best,
Leo
LikeLike
hi LEO, thanks for posting this . i too myself felt insulted for what the television wants.. they can produce shows for magicians like DAVID BLAINE OR other famous magicians style.maybe we can all support them for that . but not exposing the art of magic. i am hurt for what they want. this morning when i rang you over the phone. i am so pissed for GMA 7. in one of their segment for offering me a magic reveal illusion show. it’s like they are downgrading our profession. hope they should understand as well that this is the livelihood of us magician’s. it’s not about how much the offer is. it’s about respect to ourselve’s as well being a performer and a magician at heart.
LikeLike