{Sponsor: CHOC - Childhood Cancer Foundation of SA} Emmanuel Castis's project me story

Emmanuel Castis, born and raised in Johannesburg, has been a professional actor for 13 years.

Emmanuel started out in musical theatre (Rocky in The Rocky Horror Show, the Prince in Cinders and Her Fella). This was followed by a number of stage roles in plays (Macbeth etc). Musical shows over the years include Frankly Speaking, Bachelor Boy, Let the Good Times Roll, Doowah Boys, and Grease (He played the role of Danny Zuko). Emmanuel played the much loved character Steve in the popular daily drama Isidingo, Brent in One Way and Uri in Snitch and Chris in the very popular SABC 2 drama Erfsondes. He is also a regular on Scandal on eTV. More recently he returned to the stage in the highly acclaimed Rivonia Trial.

In March 2008 he was voted winner of Strictly Come Dancing. He is presently filming the third season of Erfsondes. Emmanuel has recently been cast in Scandal (an Etv drama) as a jazz musician. The soapie has featured some of the music from Emmanuel?s debut album South of Nowhere which was released in late 2008. The album features some of the best South African musicians and songwriters.

Emmanuel freelances as an MC, performs as a solo artist or with his band. Corporate clients over the years have included Rennies, Sun International, Emperor?s Casino, Nicholas Rey, Miss Helene, Winter Games for Paralympics, CHOC, Board of Healthcare Funders, South African Ad Awards, Twincare International, SAPS, Special Olympics, among others.

A personal note from Jodene:
Emmanuel, I am beyond excited and grateful that you took time out from your busy schedule to share 'your project me story' with my readers and me. Your journey of success and living your dream proves that making yourself your own 'project me' truly is worth every challenge and fear.
Emmanuel, best of luck with all that you aspire to be. The passion with which you bring them to life is an inspiration.

Here's what Emmanuel had to share with us about living 'project me':

1. What is your definition of happiness?
   My definition of happiness is being surrounded by people you love, and who love you in return.
2. If you could have everyone say one thing to themselves every day, what would it be?
   I am worthy of being loved, and I deserve all the good things the Universe gives me.
3. We all need someone to believe in us. Who is that person for you and why?
   That is an interesting question, because we all asssume that it should be someone else in the world who we need to believe in us, but in my mind the most important person one needs to believe in them, is oneself! If you don't believe in yourself, people can pick that up and in turn will respond the same way towards you.
4. What quality do you believe we can never be taught because it is our birth right?
   Innocence. The problem is that we lose that innocence as we grow up. Part of that innocence is forgiveness and playfulness. They are also destroyed as we grow up, by the fears instilled in us by those who bring us up. Forgiveness and playfulness can be regained, but can innocence? I don't think so.
5. Describe the moment when you realised that you could achieve anything?
   I'm still waiting for it...hehe. I think I have to keep reminding myself that I can achieve anything, because one sometimes forgets it! But the moment I discovered that was when I raised the Strictly Come Dancing Trophy. I danced live in front of millions of people, and I won!
6. What have you always dreamed of being or doing and have you reached that dream?
   I always wanted to be a succesful actor and musician. I've reached that with acting, although I still have a way to go to reach my ultimate success. My music still has a way to go. I also want to be effective in creating change to the way we think about our environment, by using my profile to get there.
7. When life gets in the way, what do you always remind yourself of?
   The universe will always hand you situations, that you can deal with.
8. We all have something unique to offer the world, what is yours?
   Me. If it's in you you can do anything: act, sing, dance, secure a business deal. Anyone can do that. The one thing nobody can offer the world or a situation, is Me. Only I can do that.
9. How do you deal with the fears that could potentially hold you back?
   I find someone to talk to. It helps weaken the fear. When you now realise that we all have fears to deal with, it gives you strength to face them. Strength in numbers.
10. What do you believe we have lost sight of in the world as a whole?
    I believe we have lost sight of our values. Nowadays, people value money more than love,? material things more than people, and personal gain more than self-worth. We need to stop and take a serious look at that.

Check out Emmanuel's official site

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Sponsor's information:

Emmanuel supports CHOC, the Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa.

Their web site is www.choc.org.za

CHOC is a non-profit organisation that provides support to families of children with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders. CHOC started as a local parent group in 1979. In 2000, the local parent groups that had sprung up around the country were brought together under one national organisation.

CHOC has a number of houses and also runs support programmes for families of?children with cancer.