Malaya

Since she left Manila to settle in Canada, actress and beauty queen Alice Dixson has not exactly been idle.

Last February, Alice became the first Filipino-American to be accepted in the Union of British Columbia Performers (UBCP) and the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) based solely on her foreign credentials.

"I applied under the unions Professional Reputation guidelines, submitted my portfolio and after a few months I received an invitation for membership. I am very excited, as these organizations are the equivalent of the Screen Actors Guild in the US."

Armed with a new talent manager in Vancouver, Alice will soon try her luck there. "I have no illusions of grandeur" Alice said, "I know it is a tougher market. But I love acting and if I can continue it on the side, then, lucky me."

Alice is grateful for each new learning opportunity that comes her way. In fact she landed an internship last March for The Vicky Gaberaeau Show, a Canadian talk-show counterpart to the popular Oprah Winfrey.

"I went to CTV-9 Studios downtown, applied and weeks later got a call from the production manager to report for taping. I was able to work with and meet local Canadian celebrities like crooner Michael Buble, David Usher, Jan Arden, Elvis Costello and jazz diva Diana Krall. I never knew that a lot of the popular US mainstream actors and artists are Canadian," she said.

"In the short time I worked on that show, I gained valuable experience and realized how much I truly enjoy and appreciate the creative side of television production."

Confessing that she is "studying part-time" and busy being a "full-time wife" to businessman Ronnie Miranda, she apologizes for not having any "baby plans" yet. Then, in the next breath, she goes on to say: "But I really want an Italian Greyhound puppy!"

Alice is back in town, although she originally came home to promote "Kumain Ka Na Ba" for the Makati Cinemanila International Film Festival this August. The Japanese film did not make it as an entry finalist, but it’s not Alice’s loss, since she has more than enough work to keep her busy. She will be doing mall tours for Bigen Speedy as its official endorser, pre-production for an independent film, and some endorsements for Cosmetiderm, and Sarangani.

Aside from working on her schedule for TV guestings, Alice is also coordinating between activities for her family’s month-long reunion. "Some of my relatives have never been to the Philippines. I will try to make it a memorable visit for them, despite our dismal political scene.

"After all," she points out, " no matter where I go, whatever I do, I will always call the Philippines home."