Keeping the Magic Alive and Kicking!
 Doc Ronnie Moraleta Face Painting by Noreen Moraleta The Magicians Foundation, Inc. |
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His interest in Magic might have started with his uncle, who eats balled up torn pieces of paper, which magically reappears in between his buttocks and the television show “The Wonderful World of Magic” hosted by actor Bill Bixby. But the Magic Bug bit him at the age of nine in 1975 with two magic books namely, The Magician Annual by Brown Watson and Magic for all ages by Paul Potassy, both gifts from his father. Later, on February 29, 1996, he was very ecstatic as the author of the latter, Paul Potassy, signed his old and almost beaten up copy. From then on to the early eighties, he began to collect magic books, make props and perform, but medical studies were getting heavier and Magic eventually took the back seat. Already a Doctor of Medicine, his interest in Magic was rekindled in 1994 after reading the book, The Usbourne Complete Book of Magic and Magic Tricks. From this book he was able to write to and buy books and props from magic dealers such as Tannen’s and Abbott’s Magic Co. Together with his wife, they watched The Pendragons perform at the Glorietta on October 8 and 9, 1994. He was also able to see Spellbound on January 7, 1995 at the Folk Arts Theater. On October 5, 1995, he joined Magic Circle Philippines (M.C.P.) headed by Anders Barris and became an official member on November 9, 1995. This was immediately followed by his first experience as a professional walk-around clown magician at Boom na Boom Carnival from November 1995 to January 1996. On February 8, 1996 he served as M.C.P.’s librarian and then Secretary in June 1996. He also became an International Magicians Society (I.M.S.) Lifetime Member on March 18, 1996 and International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) Active Member in May 1996. Magic Circle Philippines dissolved to become Inner Magic Club (I.M.C.) where he also served as Secretary from September 25, 1996 to November 13, 1997. During this period he drafted I.M.C.’s Constitution and By- Laws and wrote the I.M.C. Prayer. On July 30, 1997, Inner Magic Club became I.B.M. Ring 328 mainly through his idea and efforts with a little help from Cyril Regalado and Chubby Flores. He served as Ring 328’s Ring Contact and from time to time, Ring Reporter until December 2001. He also managed to win first place in a magic competition on June 18, 1997 performing Room for Doubt. In September 1999, he joined The Magicians Foundation, Inc. (MAGFI), I.B.M. Ring 322 through the incessant invitations of Ferdie Peran. As expected, he again served as its Secretary, Ring Contact and Ring Reporter on February 5, 2001. With the help of Sherwin Lim, he revived the organization’s newsletter, The Linking Rope, in June 2001 and introduced MAGFI internationally through the world wide web via the MAGFI website in February 2002. He went on to become MAGFI’s almost 24-hour working President from January 28, 2002 to January 25, 2004. He drafted MAGFI’s Constitution and By-Laws, prepared its Policy and Programs Manual, Competition Rules and Regulations, Program Guide and other important paper works in running a smooth organization. As proof of his successful term, he, the members and Ring 322 received numerous awards from various organizations, including the prestigious Superior Ring Quality Award from the I.B.M. Although very busy, he was still able to earn his degree of Doctor of Magic from the International Magicians Society on February 18, 2003. |
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