Christmas in the Philippines

Informal Theme #10

Blog #10



            After celebrating my last two years of Christmas with my family overseas, I finally get to taste the local celebration here in our country! I may not be able to receive gifts or money this Christmas, but hey, Christmas is all about giving and I’m fine with that. Christmas in the Philippines is quite different from the other countries of the world. With our rich tradition in this festivity, this might be the best Christmas in the planet. It is the most awaited celebration and happiest event in our country and also the time of the year when families get together, especially when family members from overseas come home with lots of gifts, exchanging gifts and the family feast highlight the most loved celebration.

            I have to say, Christmas abroad is not fun at all! Besides not having the rest of the clan around, other countries usually don’t celebrate Christmas that much compared to our country. We hopped in our car, get to see the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan, tour around Baguio for one more time, visit my relatives (which I last saw when I was 7 years old) in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur (my mother’s hometown), and have a short but memorable trip to Paoay Church and Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. The best part of my Christmas vacation is when I got to celebrate it with my relatives from my mother’s side.  I got to see my grandpa, aunts, cousins and folks.

            The clan from my mother’s side is quite poor compared to the state of my family, so I was very happy when we parted P 10, 000 among our relatives. It is a great feeling for me, and also for my family, to help them have blissful lives. My grandpa and Tita Edith’s family also promised to visit Cavite probably during the summer, and that really had my hopes up. I really enjoyed this Christmas vacation since I learned so much. We may celebrate Christmas in other countries these coming years, but as of now, I would never be able to forget the Christmas I had this 2010.

Christmas Party with CavSci Community

Informal Theme #9

Blog #9



            Christmas is a busy time of year for everyone. One thing is for sure, though, everybody loves a Christmas party. Gatherings are a lot of fun when we celebrate it with our classmates, batch mates and the whole student body.  Considering the close gap in age (or no gap at all), students tend to enjoy more in such undertaking. The whole CavSci community threw this awesome Christmas bash on December 17, 2010.

            Morning started with our batch level party, all wearing their casual clothes. The food and the games all put smiles on our faces. The following afternoon came with the school level party, wherein everyone put on their best hero/character/artist costumes. Every section walked around the school basketball court (the venue of the party) and showed the whole school their costumes. I prefer the party held by our batch more since I really enjoyed it.

                                                   

            By evening, we had our exchange gift. I received a very cute mug which I now use for my purposes. Christmas may come only once a year, but I’m glad this turned out to be a pretty good party. Although, we should bear in mind that no matter how much food or how expensive the gifts were, it doesn’t really matter. Christmas should be felt by the heart through helping one another.

'Isang Panaginip na Fili' Takes the Stage

Informal Theme #8

Blog #8





After “Orosman at Zafira” and “Shock Value”, Dulaang UP continues its 35th Theatre Season with Isang Panaginip na Fili. This production is Dulaang UP’s prelude to the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, and is written by Floy Quintos and with original music composed by Ceejay Manuel Javier. Floy Quintos made sure that he chose the right people to play the lead roles in Dulaang UP’s musical, “Isang Panaginip na Fili.” The play was first staged in 2009 and was then well-received by its audiences. Quintos, however, shares that what sets this year’s production apart from the previous one is the inclusion of a truly powerful vocal cast. “More than actors who can sing, I have singers who can act,” says the director.

            Isang Panaginip na Fili is a radical reworking of Rizal’s El Filibusterismo. For one, Jose Rizal himself is a central character in the musical. Set in 1891, Rizal is writing El Filibusterismo in a seedy hotel room in Paris. His roommate is Tunying Ibañez, an Ilustrado who is living a profligate life in the said city. Little by little, Tunying is drawn into the mystery of Rizal’s novel, as well as into Rizal’s haunted dreams. The play is about the idea of transformation: Ibarra’s transformation from reformist to filibustero is the very crux of the novel, and is echoed by Kabesang Tales’ morphing into Matang Lawin, Basilio into a disillusioned rebel, and Juli, from a faithful lass to a sexual plaything. Even Maria Clara transforms from the chaste inamorata to Salvi’s secret whore. The new libretto makes explicitly clear the transformations only hinted at in Rizal’s novel.

            The play absolutely amazed me, and even the people around me. The performers were flowing with talent, whether it be singing, acting or dancing. The actors and actresses were fantastic for they portrayed their characters very well. We also must not forget the props and lights that gave the play a much deserved look from the audience. Dulaang UP, through Isang Panaginip na Fili, brings these questions back to the forefront of our imagination.

Ibong Adarna: One Bird to Lure Them All!

Informal Theme #7

Blog #7



            A nightmare that causes a monarchs slow death, royal brothers scheming the demise of their youngest kin, a mystical princess from a faraway land made of crystals, and a mythical bird whose singing lures its captors to sleep all these elements and more are in Ibong Adarna, the third major production offering of Gantimpala Theater as the celebration of its much heralded pearl anniversary continues.

Under the direction of Roobak Valle (who also serves as its production designer), this Filipino corrido made into a play appropriates the rich, colorful pageantry of the Maranao culture as its enchanting setting with glittering costumes, fantabulous scenery, spirited performers and fantastic choreography. The original tale of Ibong Adarna is a popular folk tale all over the Philippines and told vocally probably centuries before it was anonymously printed in Tagalog in the 1860s. This story of three brothers, Prince Pedro, Diego and Juan, have been tasked to capture the supernatural bird to cure their king father's illness. The one who brings home the bird becomes the heir to the throne.

            Through the people’s anticipation, Ibong Adarna soared. A completely magnificent aura was held through the whole stadium atmosphere. Everyone watched the performance in great awe. A great way to educate the students of the story of Ibong Adarna! At the same time, the audience enjoyed themselves and would probably bring back the essence of plays in the course of entertainment.