Bound And Gagged!

.:243/365: Bing Lim-It:.

I saved Mr. Bing Lim-It for last because he is the man I consider to be my mentor through the years I’ve been doing magic. He has had a very storied career in magic, and his story serves both as an inspiration and a cautionary tale in the mercurial world of magic.

A magic hobbyist since he was seven years old, Bing Lim-It was always fond of the art thanks to the inspiration of his idol, Lou Hilario, whom he saw many times on television back in the day. As he grew in magic, it took him almost two decades before he donned the tuxedo and top hat and became a professional magician, when he became a professional magician in 1987.

In 1998, he opened up a magic shop in Virra Mall, which eventually supplanted his professional magic career. The shop can currently be found in the third floor of Shoppesville, and is very popular because of his wide range of merchandise, from magic items to instructional videos to… ahem, marital aids.

Bing was practically as old school as can be: nearly every stereotype you could come up with for the traditional stage/parlor magician, he exemplified it, be his very deliberate but graceful movements, or his look and costume. As one of the country’s top performers, his experiences have gone far and wide, and earned him a lot of accolades along the way.

Through his long career, he has had countless performances, highlights among them being the time that he performed for Cardinal Sin and his card manipulation routine was hailed as “a miracle” by the late archbishop; as well as the stage show he had at the NAIA Tarmac. He became known for his specialty of fire production and fire-related effects, which allowed him to stand out among his contemporaries, as well as his patented “70 tricks in 30 minutes,” replete with rapid-fire productions, manipulations, vanishes, and all other manners of magical routines. Choosing Lance Burton (And particularly, his candle act.) as his international source of inspiration, Bing exuded elegance and skill when performing routines, and had a distinct look that made him seem larger than life. Over the years, he has created or redesigned numerous effects, the secrets of which are probably lost with him or the lucky persons who would purchase the item in question he himself actually used to accomplish such effects.

Eventually, after his wife was injured in 2005, Bing contemplated retiring on his 20th anniversary as a magician, but ended up retiring a year earlier, having his last show on October 1, 2006. He wanted a definite end to his magic career, going out still at the top of his game, well before his star power as a premiere performer waned, and leaving many others clamouring for more from the man. For the past four years, it’s hard to count how many people begged him for “one last show,” and it seemed like no price could possibly make him don his suit and top hat again. As far as he is concerned, his professional magic days are behind him, but one can see that his skills are still sharp despite four years outside the limelight, whenever he teaches his customers magic routines after they purchase from him.

Considered a hermit by many, Bing Lim-It is a controversial figure: someone who preferred to work alone, rather than to belong to any particular group of magicians. To this day, I honor his request of never officially taking part in a magic group, and I certainly see the wisdom behind it. As a performer on the outside looking in and extending nothing but goodwill towards the magic community, my perception of magic groups has always been positive, and I have continued to be insulated from all the pitfalls and horror stories that others may have felt compelled to bring up over the years.

While a man as complex and as nuanced as Bing Lim-It may prove to be an individual who will always perplex and polarize those who know him or even just know of him, those who have taken the time to take a close look at the man know that behind the apparent veneer of jadedness lies a human being who has seen it all and done it all, and the wisdom that he imparts, whether or not you may agree with it, is born from the many experiences he has had that has shaped him to become the person that he is today. With this in mind, it becomes rather clear why I continue to honor and respect him, because while it’s so easy to focus on the idiosyncracies, the firebrand demeanor, and the self-assured opinions, there is an inner gentleness to Bing Lim-It: a kind soul longing to see the spark of magic continue in all the right ways, for all the right reasons. A longing that repeatedly gets extinguished yet keeps on reigniting, each time fainter than the last.

He is a walking paradox: on one hand, an accomplished magician; on the other, one who would rather leave those days behind him. Despite this, all the while, he runs a shop that reminds him of what he would rather leave behind on a daily basis. When one sees the full breadth of the human condition in him, one begins to see the many lessons he has to teach, without him ever having to utter a single word.

For that, I choose to honor him today, a day removed from National Heroes day, to commemorate everything he has put forth for the sake of the industry, then and now. To you, Bing Lim-It may be controversial, but to me, Bing Lim-It is my mentor.

Project 365 magic, magikel, personal heroes, philippines, project 365 2010

.:241/365: Lou Hilario:.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet the king of Philippine magic as we know it.

Whenever Filipinos talk about magic, only one name transcends generations, and is revered and acknowledged as a pillar of magic both within and without the brotherhood of magicians. Indeed, Lou Hilario is the true household name for Philippine magic, and a veritable living legend because of his unique flair and charisma as a performer.

You can’t possibly have a shortlist of the who’s who in Philippine magic and miss out on this man. Earning a reputation through his sheer workrate, Tito Lou is a man who lives and breathes magic with every ounce of his being. From his early beginnings in magic thanks to learning how to do some tricks on television, to the countless guestings he has had on television, to the even more numerous shows he has performed everywhere, there has never been a shortage of demand for this man’s unique act. And I don’t throw the word “unique” around in a cavalier manner: you can search far and wide, but nobody has managed to pull off the combination of magic, ventriloquism, comedy, and trained animals the way Lou Hilario has.

I would have to admit that unlike most of my contemporaries, I was one of the few people living under a rock who saw Lou Hilario in action only a few years ago, when I was the designated street magician during a party, and he was scheduled to take the stage by storm. I just had to stop in my tracks and watch the master at work: there was no way my table-hopping was going to be able to compete with his top-of-the-line act, and besides, I wanted to watch the man perform.

After his show and after my walkaround, I approached him and his assistant, Jason, and they had very kind words for me, particularly since they noticed how I used the Shanghai Shackles as a close-up tool rather than a stage routine. I’ve been exceptionally fond of the Shackles for ages, and to hear such kind words from Tito Lou just a year and a half into my career at that point was truly a great honor.

As most people know, I consider Mr. Bing Lim-It to be my mentor, and lo and behold, the man, to this very day, will never hesitate to say that he idolizes Lou Hilario. And as I got to know him better over time through casual conversations with him, I developed a deeper appreciation for his importance to the industry not only as a performer, but as an inspiration to his contemporaries as well, all the same. The fact that he still joins (And often wins) magic competitions underscores his perfectionist attitude towards his craft, and with decades of experience under his belt, anyone who would just sit with him and listen to his stories on the road would certainly be blessed with his knowledge and wisdom.

And really, if you’re a parent, and you ever considered getting nothing but the best for your kid, if you really, really love your kid, you’d get Tito Lou for the party. If you don’t, then I guess you don’t love your kid enough.

.:242/365: Q And A With Lou Hilario:.

1. Who influenced you to get into magic? How long have you been into it?

No one. Magic was one of my many hobbies. I started when I was 7 years old. There was an instructional magic demonstration on TV called “Magic Hands” in between the Popeye cartoons. Just hands with white gloves and a black background and a close up mat. Magician demonstrated a trick, gave a list of materials to get then a commercial break, then the secret.

I am now on my 32nd year of “surviving” from this art.

2. What is magic? In your case specifically, what is mentalism?

Magic is an exploration of knowing the deeper darker secrets of mankind. Mentalism is the magic of the mind. Nowadays, for me, it is a form of entertainment.

3. What was your best experience while performing?

Anytime I have a good audience is the best experience.

4. What was your worst experience while performing?

Worst is when you need to perform without an audience, like working regularly in some venues.

5. Which layperson celebrity, local or foreign, do you think would make a great magician?

Anyone who has a passion for the art.

6. What is your best advice to everyone reading this who’s interested in getting into magic or mentalism?

Watch all the shows, buy all the materials you can afford, make friends with magicians, get a mentor, spend all your time, money and effort on it. I guess this applies to everything else.

Project 365 magic, magikel, personal heroes, philippines, project 365 2010, q and a

For some reason, this old post didn’t show up in my blog, so I’m showing it again…

.:229/365: Q and A With Ony Carcamo:.

For now, I will split up individual profiles and their subsequent Q and A sessions, unless I find the need (for space) to combine the two in one entry due to the sheer number of people I get to interview. That way, in case I feature a personality and their Q and A comes in after they get featured, I can just post the Q and A session with ease afterwards.

If I find the need to have more personalities featured, not to worry, I’ll just jampack a day or two with two or three performers, just so I wouldn’t waste the space.

I wanted to ask “why do magic?” Maybe I’ll ask them all and compile *that* into one post in the future…

For now, here are the questions I asked sir Ony (And the questions I’d be asking everyone else, actually.), and his answers…

1. Who influenced you to become a magician? How long have you been one?

My father was my first influence. He was a magic afficionado. I remember when I was in grade 1, our teacher asked us what we’d like to be when we grow up. I said I wanted to become a magician. That was my first dream. My father gave me a gift when I was 11–a magic set! That started my magical journey. I’ve been doing magic until now.

2. How do you define magic? As you are also a mentalist, how do you define mentalism?

For me magic is an entertainment art form that mixes illusion and reality and puts the audience into a dreamland. Mentalism is a branch of magic that demonstrates the power of the mind.

3. What is your best experience while performing?

My best experience? Everytime I tried a new act and it killed my audience. I feel great when I do something very well the first time.

4. What is your worst experience while performing?

My worst? When I “accidentally” revealed a trick’s secret because of a bad manipulation.

5. Which layman celebrities do you think would make great magicians?

Politicians are great magicians.

6. What advice can you give to those who want to become magicians?

Just do it!

Project 365 magic, magikel, personal heroes, philippines, project 365 2010, q and a

.:238/365: Dr. Ronnie Moraleta:.

Doc Ronnie is often regarded by most young magicians as one of the biggest influences in the local community, and with good reason.

A general medicine practitioner by profession, Doc Ronnie arguably had magic on his mind long before medicine, having been influenced to get into magic as early as nine. His emphasis on fundamental soundness has always been one of the most important first lessons most aspiring magicians learn from him, and he certainly exemplifies his own principles and standards in magic.

Having been interested in magic for the longest, time, it didn’t take long before he shifted back into the art with a lot more gusto when, after becoming a doctor, he read the Usbourne Complete Book of Magic and Magic Tricks in 1994. As he went through this book, flashbacks to classic magicians like Paul Potassy went through him, and his interest in magic was rekindled and it has never been put out since.

A former member of the hallowed albeit now-defunct Magician’s Circle of the Philippines in 1995 and one of the charter members of the Inner Magic Club, Doc Ronnie’s contributions to Philippine magic, in being a very powerful and reliable ambassador to the mainstream world in an industry often derided as a haven for outcasts and misfits, his mere presence has added an air of legitimacy about the art. His desire to expand magic across the nation has also led to him being one of the leading people to consult and approach for magic items and resources.

Most of his biography can actually be found here, but I certainly feel compelled to mention that in the magic world, Doc Ronnie is one of the people I am most grateful to, because he has always been a voice of reason and encouragement to me throughout my magic career. He has been nothing but supportive of me, and has a good eye for detail, being able to determine a person’s strongest suits as a performer and finding the right words at any given time to help them play to their strengths better.

Having said all of that, I guess it’s easy to say that I think very highly of Doc Ronnie. There’s no reason for me not to. And just because I figured it would be cool to do so, the video I included above highlights something about Doc Ronnie that doesn’t involve magic, and it’s his insatiable love for toys, particularly from Thor of the Avengers. Having been a consistent figure in ToyCon since 2007, I have met the man in toy conventions about as often as I have met him in magic conventions.

.:239/365: Q And A With Dr. Ronnie Moraleta:.

1. Who influenced you to get into magic? How long have you been into it?

It could have been my uncle, who eats balled up torn pieces of paper, which he magically reappears in between his buttocks and the television show “The Wonderful World of Magic” hosted by actor Bill Bixby. I started probably between 8 or 9.

2. What is magic? In your case specifically, what is mentalism?

For me Magic is making the impossible possible. I was introduced to Mentalism through Melbourne Christopher’s Magic Book and during that time Mentalism for me was all about Mind Reading and Predictions.

3. What was your best experience while performing?

The best would always be when people applaud, laugh and tell you how they enjoyed your show, how amazed and amused they were and when they give you a big tip!

4. What was your worst experience while performing?

Nothing really, except I feel bad when I make a mistake, but I make sure the mistakes are minimal and unnoticed as much as possible.

5. Which layperson celebrity, local or foreign, do you think would make a great magician?

Eddie Garcia with a mustache. A very convincing Magician in my opinion.

6. What is your best advice to everyone reading this who’s interested in getting into magic or mentalism?

Start reading the basics first then go into videos. Try everything first then specialize as to which branch of Magic you belong. You can do the other branches for pleasure, but the one you specialize, you do it professionally. Then do as many shows as you can.

.:240/365: Rannie Raymundo:.

Often known as “The Boss” and “The Manila Enforcer”, the man known as Rannie Raymundo is equally famous for being one of two or three most revered Filipino magicians in the worldwide magic community, and for being the man responsible for the monster hit song “Why Can’t It Be.” An artist and a performer through and through, most people would be surprised to know that he has been into magic for almost as long as he has been musically gifted.

Mr. Raymundo exudes class, mystery, and sheer charisma when you see him performing. As a very esteemed lecturer who has taught and demonstrated his magic in international conventions through the years, it’s easy to see that The Boss has made his mark as a Filipino magician in more ways than one, and has certainly earned his accolades through sheer talent and a very passionate work ethic. This is one man who is not afraid to emphasize that he is quite the perfectionist, and doesn’t hesitate to speak his mind when it comes to magic.

In doing so, the Philippine magic world is all the better for it. As one of the most vocal pillars of the industry today, Rannie Raymundo has successfully proved his longevity as a magician with the sheer number of people who can actually look past the fact that he wrote “Why Can’t It Be,” which, in my opinion, was the OPM song of note in the year it came out. If the average person can remember that The Boss wasn’t only the singer and composer of such a timeless hit, but even recall that he is one Hades of a magician, then there is nobody who can possibly deny how influential Rannie Raymundo is, whether it be among his contemporaries in the magic or music industry, or even in the mainstream.

Despite all of these, and despite whatever anybody else may say, The Boss’s success has always reflected back upon Philippine magic as a whole, as through his life experiences as well as his being one of the founding members of IMC, as well as one of the most prominent names in Magfi (An organization I hope to bring up next week or so.), he has always used it as an opportunity to harness the talents of other magicians. If there ever was a glass ceiling in the world of magic, The Boss took every opportunity to break it in favour of a deserving performer.

For that, and so much more, the Manila Enforcer will always hold an important place in Filipino magic history, and inevitably, magic history throughout the world as well. Not too shabby for a man who is undisputably a Renaissance man, being very much capable of “doing it all”, so to speak.

.:241/365: Q And A With Rannie Raymundo:.

1. Who influenced you to get into magic? How long have you been into it?

My father! I started magic when I was 7. I was very lucky to have travelled around the world at that age. I went all around Europe and the U.S. The first stop wold always be the magic shops. My father was an amateur magician. He was always the life of every party. He had incredible chops with a deck of cards. He did gambling routines. Probably my first recollection of its kind. He was also great in body loading. Later in my magical life, I found out that The Great Raydu (Manila’s finest magician in the 40’s) was my great grandfather. I was bound to become a magician.

In the mid 80’s there were less than a handful of close up magicians and a handful of stage magicians. In the early 90’s we were already a handful. We used to meet in an obscure apartment in Makati. We then formed MCP..MAGIC CIRCLE PHILIPPINES, then later became IMC. Then magic just started to grow.
I will be 43 so that would make me a magician for 35 years now.

2. What is magic? In your case specifically, what is mentalism?

Magic is an art! Just like music… it is a language that all can understand. Magic could be many things from the shallow to the very deep. An escape from reality, alteration of reality, distortion of reality, ENTERTAINMENT. Making the impossible possible and the possible impossible.

Mentalism- a branch of magic that uses the power of the mind as the theme. Pseudo mind reading and the likes. It is also one of the most abused branch of magic in many ways. In the advent of Derren Brown’s popularity…. every Juan, Pablo and Harry, wanted to do mentalism. It takes character, perhaps age and wisdom to make this believable. Having a wise ass kid with no presentation skill and wisdom to do it, perform such magic, really ruins this art. It becomes just a puzzle.

3. What was your best experience while performing?

Every performance is a wonderful experience. From the good and the bad. I do have some memorable performances though. There is nothing like seeing wonderment in the eyes of your lay audience… but there is a different kind of satisfaction to fool and amaze a huge room of magicians.

I was in a magic convention abroad…. Someone asked me off the cuff to do my “Boss Ultimate Mind Reading”. I obliged.. I pulled out a single card and laid it on the floor.. I said name a card… The magician said 5 of spades…. I told him to pick up the card and lo and behold it was the 5 of spades. Cut to the chase…. i did it again and again four more times with the same result.

Another great experience was having the Great Tommy Wonder watch my RAYTRIX act from behind me. It was also great to have greats such as HOward Hamburg, MIckey Silver, Curtis Kam, Roberto Giobbi, Rafael Benatar, Chris Kenner etc… watch my lecture and performances in Vegas.

4. What was your worst experience while performing?

I can’t recall one honestly. I always manage to turn things around to my advantage. It is something the “Old dogs” talk about. We hardly talk about new sleight and those stuff… we always talk about situations. Having that knowledge and experience… we can always work things out. The only bad experience I can muster to remember had something to do with the aircon or the humidity problem of the performing venue. It affects the sleights as well as the deck.

5. Which layperson celebrity, local or foreign, do you think would make a great magician?

Best lay celebrity who would make a great magician… no one from this generation I’m afraid.

6. What is your best advice to everyone reading this who’s interested in getting into magic or mentalism?

Research all you can. Know the history of things. Meet the masters. Be humble and know that you have a lot more to learn. Be original!

Regarding mentalism….. don’t just learn the trick… research on actual facts, learn to act the part. Add some years perhaps. Take your time!p

Project 365 magic, magikel, personal heroes, philippines, project 365 2010, q and a

.:224/365: Laser Cut:.

What is pretty much one of the most bizarre illusions you will ever watch, David Copperfield plays his role to the hilt here in a manner that can only be classified as “smarmy”. With laser lights seemingly cutting through Copperfield, he begins walking around all over the stage as if he were truly split into two pieces. The very eye-catching illusion was certainly an impressive feat back in the day, especially since it was performed live in Las Vegas, with viewing audiences completely stumped as to how it was pulled off.

Throughout this performance, what you will observe about Copperfield is how underrated his aptitude for comedy actually is. The fact that he gets to elicit chuckles without even uttering a word at key moments in the illusion only cement how amazing Copperfield really is when it comes to being a total package.

This illusion is actually not one of his best ones, but the way he packaged it certainly makes for a very interesting and entertaining routine altogether, and something worthy of performing as a Vegas main eventer. The day I ever end up performing in Vegas would be the day I believe I have made it as a performer, and here’s one of those amazing individuals doing it for years, and winning almost universal praise for his work.

Having said all that, I think it should be obvious what my final topic on stage magic will be on the last day of the month…

.:225/365: David Copperfield:.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the most influential name in the magic industry of the last generation, bar none.

Many new magicians might claim allegiance to David Blaine and scoff at David Copperfield’s overly choreographed performances in favour of Blaine’s “gritty” style, but has anyone bothered asking Blaine if Copperfield ever influenced him? Has anyone ever bothered asking every street magician out there if they ever wanted to perform anything as awe-inspiring as walking through the Great Wall of China, or making the Statue of Liberty Disappear, or flying over the Grand Canyon, as opposed to, well, holding your breath for a long time underwater?

David Copperfield, in my eyes, is a man who defines “legendary” in every sense of the word. As the most commercially successful magician in history, Copperfield is the man practically all David Blaine wannabes inwardly aspire for. The man is graceful, funny, brilliant, and let’s face it, richer than pretty much any other magician has ever been.

I don’t think I need to sing the man’s praises so extensively for anyone to understand the kind of influence he has exerted on the magic industry, having raised the bar for performances to the point that anyone who is considered good at it will only hear one of two comparisons: you’re the next David Blaine, or you’re the next David Copperfield. Either statement is a huge compliment to any person, and I can tell you without any doubt that I would be deeply honoured to have people compare me to even a single percent of Copperfield’s skill and prowess as a performer.

Born David Kotkin to Jewish parents, Copperfield took on the name as a teenager because of the book of the same name. He started performing professionally very early, at around 10 years or so, and even became a lecturer about magic as early as 16 years old. He made a name for himself throughout his performances, earning accolades not just because he was a good magician but simply because everything about his performing persona screamed “magic”. In 1977, he had his first TV special called “The Magic of CBS”, and this gave birth to Copperfield’s “The Magic Of David Copperfield”, various magic shows on television, comprising almost three decades of great and captivating television.

When asked about his influences, it’s actually unsurprising to hear Copperfield say that it wasn’t a particular magician. He looked at the likes of Fred Astaire and other similarly influential people, and thought, “Hey, I want to do that for magic!”

And he did.

With a unique style and a kind of elegance that only he can elicit, Copperfield was in a league of his own. He was the total package: he was mysterious, he was elegant, and he was deceptively hilarious. While undeniably elegant, it took decades for someone like Lance Burton to hit his stride in the humor department, whereas Copperfield was exhibiting it from day 1. Penn and Teller are hilarious, but they were certainly anything but elegant. David Blaine is mysterious, but certainly not funny or elegant. Criss Angel… Criss Angel sucks and doesn’t hold a candle to Blaine, Penn and Teller, Burton, and certainly not to David Copperfield.

It’s what Copperfield has achieved that makes me marvel at him altogether. He’s done it all, to say the least, and nobody can deny how much impact he has had on the world of magic, bringing it to the mainstream consciousness long before David Blaine gave magic yet another resurgence, albeit by taking it back to its grittiest. Copperfield dressed everything up, polished it, and made everything he did larger than life. And really now, name me a single magician who doesn’t want to be regarded as larger than life, no matter how “gritty” they may project themselves to be?

Mr. Copperfield, thank you for your unique brand of magic. You are truly a once-in-a-lifetime performer, and we may well never encounter another one quite like you again for at least another decade.

Project 365 magic, magikel, personal heroes, project 365 2010

.:92/365: Mel Mellers:.

It’s hard to go through a list of funny magicians without talking about one Mel Mellers, who has certainly become one of my favourite comedy magicians of all time, thanks to his insult theatre style of comedy, which tends to work well if you have the personality to carry yourself through it.

Mel isn’t that well known outside of Britain, and even then, he’s relatively anonymous when compared to the likes of Paul Daniels or Derren Brown. Nonetheless, Mr. Mellers has made a name for himself in the corporate circles, especially in cruise ships, utilizing a wide variety of different routines to make the audiences laugh and gasp in delight at the same time.

What is very deceptive about Mel Mellers is that despite being a comedy magician, his mastery of sleights is nothing to scoff at, and anyone who catches his first DVD entitled “Tickling The Mind” would realize this once you see him perform his version of the Miser’s Dream. The thing that makes his version extremely better than the standard performance would have to be his personal handling of the routine, which you simply don’t see from other performers. He uses a cleaner, although more physically demanding handling, but all in all, this simply lends to a more awe-inspiring routine that’s funny and fast-paced and very clean to look at.

While he is well-known for his comedic stylings and his simple yet clean magic routines, Mel Mellers is also pretty popular for doing bits and pieces of mentalism during his show, and really stumping people when he performs those routines. He’s versatile, he’s witty, he’s incredibly incorrigible, and while nobody could say I’m trying to be exactly like him, I can’t help but point out that he has had quite an influence on my performing style, especially when I work on my own, and I can’t go and do a full-blown Penn Jilette character since I don’t have a Teller to antagonize.

Mel Mellers may not have an elaborate biography to his name, but it would do good for any budding comedy-magician to take a few pointers from him, especially with his comedic timing, which really comes to the fore when he does his own version of the Card Improv routine. This particular routine only underscores how good he really is with controlling his audience and having them eat out of the palm of his hand. That’s the kind of performer I hope to establish myself as, and with Mel’s style being perfectly suited for hosting in an informal setting, I’ve certainly incorporated his approach even there as well.

Project 365 comedy, magic, magikel, personal heroes, project 365 2010