VP/Xclusives | Director’s Cut: Behind the John Prats Experience

While most of us knew him as one of the most talented actors of his generation—giving life to lighthearted characters in comedies and taking on some of the most challenging roles—John Prats has explored another form of his artistry; this time, mastering the art of creating experience, away from the spotlight and staying behind the scenes.

Now hailed as the premier events and concerts director, following the success of music shows like TJ Monterde’s “Sarili Nating Mundo” world tour, Moira Dela Torre’s “Tagpuan,” Korean star Jessi’s “Zoom in Manila,” Erik Santos’ “milEStone,” and Jason Dy’s recently concluded “SoliDYfied,” among others, he has consistently taken every audience into a unique experience while immersing them into the music and story of the artists they look up to.

Every concert and event that he runs heads toward a direction that brings life to his vision to elevate every distinct encounter and leave a mark. The premier events and concerts director, in every project, writes a history of his craft—a narrative born backstage, away from the spotlights, and before the show begins—a story behind the John Prats experience.

John Prats Behind the scenes

He entered the world of entertainment when he began stepping into the limelight of shows, acting in front of the cameras day in and day out, memorizing scripts, and sometimes even pulling off improvised lines in between sequences. Most people love him for his silly jokes, funny characters in films and television shows, and profound characters like the one he played in “Tanging Yaman.”

We have seen and loved him on our screens, but fate has something more for him—a path that goes opposite direction from where we used to see him—a version of John Prats, now known to many as Direk Pratty, who shines behind the scenes, backstage, and in the headphones of production staff, where he delivers the order in running his iconic and blockbuster shows. And this journey began eight years ago.

“It was really unplanned, because back in 2017, it was just a conversation between me, Sam, and my dad, to help a friend—Moira—to direct a music video and ‘yong concert nga niya.”
—John Prats

Without much experience in mounting an event back then, he had to navigate everything in the vast and fast-paced industry. Luckily, the friendships and networks he has built and kept through the years allowed him to explore the complex world of events and concert direction with others. “Cornerstone introduced me—kasi sila ang co-producer namin—to these people na talagang tumulong sa akin, like Dom Gallardo, who is my lighting director, and ‘yong stage managers ko at that time. Sila lang ‘yong nag-guide sa akin, tapos I just had the vision hanggang sa nagsunod-sunod na,” he shared.

Although met with success on his directorial debut, challenges began emerging along the way. In another concert project, Direk Pratty had to face an obstacle head-on. “Apparently, ‘yong technical director, hindi niya na-deliver ‘yong LEDs. ‘Yong vision ko kasi, parang marami siyang LED na parang boxes and frames. 20% of the LEDs lang ang nag-work,” he revealed

But the show must go on, and so Direk Pratty persisted through the situation, making everything work and maximizing other elements like lights to commit to the goal of elevating the experience. It became a “learning curve” for him, allowing his knowledge and expertise to expand beyond the creative aspect of directing an event.

“‘Yon ang isa sa pinaka-memorable [experience] for me, because it was a failure, but I also took it as a learning curve for me, not to give up.”
—John Prats

Even though challenges are a constant part of every journey, John Prats did not dwell on them but chose to rise from the situation, learn, and move forward with an even readier self to conquer whatever may come next. His eyes focus on the goal to deliver an experience that leaves a mark on the concertgoers, artists who trusted him, and producers who believed in his capacity as a director.

“I love it when I get reactions from the concertgoers that they enjoyed the show, naka-relate at na-move sila roon sa artists, songs, and visuals. These comments give me that fire to do more. In my own terms, nakakaadik sa pakiramdam!”
—John Prats

Where the magic begins

An arena typically opens its doors to the audience only a few minutes before an awaited concert begins—a time when every element to enhance the show is all set and ready to take its part once the curtains rise. But for Direk Pratty, every stadium becomes a home of vision even months before it welcomes the people in, letting the magic of his craft live in the hallways and seats of the theaters.

But how does this “magic” work? It does not require some pixie dust sprinkled over the stage hours before the show, or some sort of enchanting spells to cover the whole arena and take the audience to a different dimension of experience, but a method of collaboration from the creative up to the technical aspects of mounting an event, careful planning months before the show dates, and a brave step to execute and bring plans to life.

While it takes a lot of time and a complex system to follow before pulling off a show, the magic behind the elevated experience for the premier events and concerts director himself lies in the soul of every show: the vision of the director, artists, and producers.

“Sa lahat ng aspekto, ang magic ay nanggagaling sa puso talaga. Dapat ‘yon nararamdaman mo e. It’s not just visuals; it’s storytelling.”
—John Prats

When asked for a moment, this kind of magic unfolded in front of him, he recalled an unforgettable encounter during his direction of TJ Monterde’s three-night sold-out “Sarili Nating Mundo” concert in Araneta. “Noong nangyayari na [ang plans] during the rehearsal—incorporated na ang ilaw, visuals, bumukas ang pinto, pumasok ang mini cooper, may camera sa loob, then ni-reveal si KZ—I was really crying,” Direk Pratty said, remembering the “magical” feeling. “Noong nabuo na ‘yong vision lahat sa harapan ko, sabi ko talaga, ‘This is really gonna work!’ I felt it,” he added.

Every fulfillment that comes right after the show ends, when all that’s left in the arena are the residues of the high energies that the crowds left, and all is quiet—again—reminds John Prats of the destiny that has always been for him: the duty to tell a story, create an experience, and leave a mark to the people.

“Naniniwala kasi ako na kung ang isang bagay ay para sa ‘yo, para sa ‘yo talaga. May mga bagay kang gusto na kahit anong pilit mo, hindi mapupunta sa ‘yo. May mga bagay naman na palaging nakahain sa yo and destines ka to do it—isa ‘yong directing sa mga bagay na ‘yon for me.”
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—John Prats

With this craft becoming his life and job, Direk Pratty treats every situation as an opportunity to share his knowledge and even learn. He believes in working with the right people, upholding the same discipline, and working with both passion and excellence to successfully mount an event and a concert. But most of all, he keeps himself on the ground despite the heights he has reached—a lesson he learned and treasured growing up.

“I got this from my dad: always underpromise but overdeliver. Kailangan talaga, palaging nalalampasan ang expectations. Hindi ka nagyayabang, pero satisfied ang clients.”
—John Prats

The next direction

Direk Pratty, for sure, has shown his prowess in working behind the scenes through the accomplished shows and projects he has done in his seven-year experience. On the other hand, his fire for directing meets no end, but continues to aflame as he takes on the challenge of running more events and concerts this year forward—onto his next direction!

With a calendar marked up to the last quarter of this year, John Prats has a number of stadiums and event places to turn into a different world and take the audience to a unique experience of music, celebration, and story. Direk Pratty continues to take the “Sarili Nating Mundo” tour magic across the globe as he runs its international legs, specifically in Dubai, New Zealand, and Australia, along with its other local tours. He also revealed that he will be directing the silver anniversary concert of the Philippines’ Ultimate Entertainer, K Brosas, on July 27 at the New Frontier Theater, plus a list of other corporate events.

On the other hand, Direk Pratty’s vision and dreams soar through the horizons of possibility, as he also looks forward to working with other Filipino artists like Ben & Ben, SB19, BINI, and Cup of Joe, whom he also looks up to. He also revealed that among his international collaborations are Coldplay, Bruno Mars, and Justin Timberlake. With his passion and excellence in his craft, his direction, in no time, will take him there!

He has learned the ways of working on the cam and now shares his fire behind the scenes. With a grounded heart and a visionary mind, Direk Pratty reveals the full story born in every backstage he has ever been in—the director’s cut—the truth behind every John Prats experience.

Photographer | Miguel Crudo
Styling | John Prats
Studio | Cornerstone Studio

Special Thanks
Cornerstone Entertainment:
President | Erickson Raymundo
Vice President | Jeff Vadillo
AVP for Productions & John Prats’ Handler | Cynthia Roque
AVP for Music/Ad & Promo Head | Caress Caballero
Road Manager | Justine Joseph Young
Ad & Promo Assistant | Mika Severa