Beyond the Voice: Brother Bernard Canaberal and the Art of Dubbing

 


Brother Bernard Canaberal shares his insights on voice acting and the deeper art of dubbing

Voice acting is not just about having a good voice—it is about understanding the story, respecting the craft, and going beyond one’s limits. This is the belief of Brother Bernard Factor Canaberal, a seasoned media practitioner who has spent many years working in television, radio, stage, film, and the dubbing industry.

Brother Bernard’s journey into dubbing began unexpectedly. He was invited by a friend to try dubbing for a film, marking his very first experience in the field. At a young age, he found himself voicing older characters, which taught him early on that dubbing requires flexibility, imagination, and deep understanding of character. During those years, dubbing was done per loop—repeating dialogue over and over inside the studio—making the process more challenging compared to today’s digital techniques.

Coming from a radio background, Brother Bernard already had an advantage. Radio trained him to shift voices, emotions, and personalities instantly. Through this, he learned an important lesson: every voice actor must first find their own voice. Knowing how one truly sounds and discovering its potential is the foundation of great voice acting.

One of the most iconic moments in his career was voicing the terrifying character Chanak. What made it unique was that he gave the character a female voice—something unexpected yet effective. This creative decision made the character more chilling and memorable. Even the film’s producers were surprised when they discovered that it was Brother Bernard who dubbed the role.

As technology evolved, dubbing became easier through digital syncing and editing. However, Brother Bernard believes that true dubbing goes beyond technical convenience. A dubber must understand the story, the emotions, and the intention behind every line. Voice alone is not enough—acting and storytelling are equally important.

For aspiring dubbers, Brother Bernard shares valuable advice: do not rush success or try to take everything for yourself. If you are truly good, opportunities will come to you. He compares great talent to gold—hidden beneath the surface, refined through challenges, and discovered at the right time.

Above all, he emphasizes respect: respect for oneself and respect for the art form. Voice acting is an art because not everyone is given the gift of voice. It must be practiced, trained, and challenged continuously. When a dubber goes beyond just “dubbing,” they begin to realize they are not just voice actors—but true voice artists.

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