MONIQUE Wilson has tackled many difficult roles in her 20-year career as a stage actress but her role as Maureen in the rock opera "Rent" poses a new challenge. "It's a very difficult part vocally," says Monique, "because I'm not really a rock singer. Sanay ako sa mga songs ni Rodgers and Hammerstein at Andrew Lloyd Webber. 'Rent's' kind of music is very grunge rock, MTV style. In the beginning, I though I couldn't do it. But with rehearsals and a good vocal coach, I was able to."

Monique also has a critical role offstage since New Voice Company, her theater outfit, is one of the three groups behind the musical. Hailed by Time magazine as "the most exuberant and original musical to come along this decade," "Rent" starts its run at the Music Museum on Oct. 1.

Also in the cast are Michael de Mesa, Calvin Millado, Lyn Sherman, Jamie Wilson, JM Rodriguez, Amparo Sietereales and Ricci Chan. It is directed by Bobby Garcia, who worked with the New York and Canadian "Rent" productions.

Bringing the multi-awarded musical by Jonathan Larson to Manila was a dream come true for Monique, who fell in love with "Rent" when she watched it abroad in 1996. We had an interesting chat with her recently and she told us how "Rent" changed her outlook on life and why she is upbeat about the future of theater in this country, despite the many problems it faces.

What did you think of "Rent" when you watched it in New York?

It affected me immensely. I thought I was a fairly open-minded person. Ang dami ko rin palang ayaw makita. I really woke up after watching the show. It was like a slap in my face.

I was in a very destructive relationship then. After the show, I told myself, "why am I wasting my time in that? Gosh, my life has really been wasted. I cannot let anyone or anything diminish my capacity to live."

I thought of all the things I loved to do as a kid and I kept saying, "I'm too old for that now." I love to write, I love to paint, I love to just read. I stopped doing it kasi I was too busy running New Voice. The musical made me get back in touch with the things I loved to do as a kid.

"Rent" really affected you that much?

There's a line in "Rent" that goes, "Forget regret or life is yours to miss." I don't want to regret anything. I don't want to say 10 years from now, "I wish I had done that" and realize I'm too old to do it. I've learned to enjoy each moment I have.

Before, I would always worry about the consequences of what I wanted to do. Now, I don't worry that much anymore. I think about them but I now understand that fears keep you from doing things you really want to do. I used to think about the past a lot and dwell on it. It's true you learn from your past but you can't do anything about the past. It's finished. Or you worry too much about the future, not realizing that the present is fast disappearing.

So, have you decided to slow down in you career?

Not really. It's finding time to stop and smell the roses. I spent so much of my time achieving things by being so devoted to my career. I forgot about my life, my relationships, my family, my friends. Masyado na akong naging obsessed sa trabaho.

Not for myself but because I have so many dreams for New Voice. But if I neglect my personal life, what can I give to my students? Now I feel like I enjoy work more because I give myself time to play, time to rest, time to be with my family.

What do you do to relax?

I go on trips. I went to Bali on my birthday. I went to Vietnam during the Holy Week. I wanted to see Ho Chi Minh City because of "Miss Saigon." It was an eye-opener for me.

Is "Rent" something that Filipino audiences can identify with?

A lot of people say it's too American because it's set in New York. If you take out the setting, it's the overall theme of the show that really prevails. I think the issues of homelessness, unemployment, love, illness and losing a loved one are human concerns. It really doesn't matter what race you belong to.

Do you see a bright future for Philippine theater?

Oh, yes. It just takes time. We just have to be patient. It takes time to evolve. Some days, it's like banging your head against a brick wall.

Then you come across shows like "Rent" for audiences that appreciate your work and you feel that's enough to make you go on. The main thing is we should not give up. We cannot jump from Step 1 to 10.

In your 20 years in theater, ilang steps na tayo?

Siguro five. I've seen a lot of changes in my lifetime. Dumami na ang mga theater groups. More and more sponsors are coming in to help finance shows. More and more corporations are taking risks putting money in theater. More and more actors are taking risks to tackle any role without hesitation.

Can one make a living doing theater alone?

Not yet. Some have. Tita Baby (Barredo). Tita Bibot (Amador). Mon Faustman. They're making a living in theater.

What about MoniqueWilson?

No. I make living as a singer and as a film and TV actress. Only a little from theater.

Will that time ever come?

Yes. Maybe, it will take some time.We have to unionize. While we don't a union yet, parang theater is just a hobby. Ang mga singers may OPM. Our musicians, film actors, they're all unionized. Theater actors aren't. Kasi we need to cooperate. Yun ang problema kasi.

We lose a lot of good musical talents to foreign productions.

I keep telling my colleagues in "Miss Saigon," "Come back, You have to share what you learn there so that everybody's standard rises. Because they now know what it's like to do a professional production abroad.