Post AHEB Writer's Block

Just dropping by to say that I'm supposed to write a couple of entries these past 2 days but failed to do so because I could hardly muster the fortitude and emotional strength after watching Ang Huling El Bimbo. The Full House Theater Company and Resorts World Manila through ABS-CBN had this streaming on YouTube for 48 hours, May 8-9.

Really grateful that they did so as I wasn't able to watch AHEB live because of work sched. I was still staying in Rizal during those days. Staying late and travel back home with early shift the following day wasn't just ideal.

Here's to hoping that I could write again, about anything. Doesn't have to do with AHEB, though I hope I could write about this hit musical too. But not now.

Now Playing: Eraserheads - Sa Wakas

Wicked

Watched Wicked last Friday night at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City. For free. Yeah!

I almost missed the play for some time and economic reasons. Thank You, LORD, for the provision. I made it just fine. I wasn't able to take a lot of photos, though I wish I could, saved for two.

Wicked. Man it was wicked.

Carly Anderson played Glinda Upland. She was fun to watch. The range of voices she sang was very entertaining. Of course it is given that her voice is good. But how she showcased them was just amazing. I loved her performance.

Jacqueline Hughes played Elphaba Thropp. She's amazing! I was moved to tears in one or two of her solo singing acts, if that's how it's called.

The musical part of Wicked was awesome. I don't think I am in the position to speak anything about that.

There was one song - Defying Gravity - that was familiar to me. Since hearing it last Friday night, I've been wondering where I first heard it. I still don't know where. Anyway, hearing it sang by Elphaba was so poignant it just really put tears to my eyes. It still moves me to tears now as I listen to Hughes singing it (on YouTube).

Fiyero, played by Bradley Jaden, reminded me of those Disney princes singing. It was fun and enchanting in its own way.

I would love to watch Wicked again. It'd be nice to do so in another country, whether with the same actors or not. I just want to have a different experience with something similar. That'd be fun.

Sleepless Saturday. Almost.

Saturday gave me a very interesting day. Interesting, this time however, translates to sleepless.

I went straight to HotLG in Pasig City for the end of the 3-day P&F, which was followed by a short meal then on for the Shabbat service. As it was a birthday Saturday for those born in November, there was a special treat for our senior pastor. She was born in November.

The food we had was a typical Filipino carbs on carbs. Yes, literally. Not complaining though. It's our thing. It actually made me wonder how I would have dinner with teh family as we're scheduled for a dinner at SM Aura before watching Annie the musical.

Scrap SM Aura as we went straight to the Newport Mall. I was still full so I only had cappuccino and macadamia cake. I was supposed to have a pistachio cake but turned out it was no longer available.

When I tried the cake, I felt bad for it. It seemed like no one wanted it until it was offered to me (as alternative for the pistachio). It was good. But I guess if no one wanted you it'll show one way or another.

It was a pretty cake. If my digestive system was only at its best last night, I would devour it without a trace. I would even have had a meal. Well, "if."

The cappuccino was pretty frothy. Fine with me. I think it was also the first time I had an art-coffee. However, I fell in love with their cookie. The side cookie. It was so tasty I could cry, but I didn't.

After our dinner at Cafe Maxims, we went straight to the theatre for Annie musical. The last time I watched a musical was back on September 2014 in Baguio.

It was quite a busy day since I left the office so it's obvious that I didn't get to have a proper sleep. I had on and off naps while on the road but that's it.

I think Annie musical was interesting. I was wondering who authored Annie. There was that great depression feels and a looming world war. Or maybe I was just particularly curious from the start. I don't know.

I'm not going to write a review or any reaction about it. Perhaps some other time, if I'm in the mood or if I remember.

This was me after watching Annie and very much longing for bed and sleep. Even now.

Kennon: Road to Global Peace and Unity [musical play]

I got to watch Kennon: Road to Global Peace and Unity, a three-act musical play, twice. Hehe.. If only I could, I would've probably watched it thrice. Oh well. I had fun on both times. I had a happy Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning.

As mentioned in my previous blog entry, I only found out about the musical play by accident. Or perhaps by heavens' decree? It's good that I got to watch the play twice because I was able to observe some things. It was interesting.

Before I get started, I'd like to note the main difference on how I watched the same play on different times/days. Day 1: With heart and spirit; Day 2: With heart and brain. Of course I was able to notice things that need improvement on day 1 but I dismissed them as I was so engrossed to the message of the play.

So here I go. I hope I can make this short and quick. Reminder though, I am not a professional in the performing arts. Written below were merely thoughts and observations.

Plot

The story is about how Kennon Road was built. For two years, about 4000 people all around the world worked together to carve the mountains of Benguet. Wow. But more than its history, the play also talked about its future, for it is indeed a heritage of our people (I'm not excluding the rest of the country here) and even of the world.

By the way, to the Japanese people.. doumo arigatou gozaimashita! We may have been conquered by the Imperial Army of Japan, but the story of Kennon Road reminds us that without selfish ambitions we can all work together, in peace and unity.

I would definitely recommend this musical play to all students, not just to the people of Baguio but also to all Filipinos. The story of Kennon Road is not just a story of the people of Baguio or of Benguet but also a story of the Filipinos. Yeah, it's the story of the people of God.

Acting

My favourite actor would be the Japanese grandfather. When he cried, "Revive! Revive!" my eyes were welling with tears. I felt what he felt though his was worse because I haven't seen Baguio when it was still young and yet I've already had a lot of dismay for this supposed beautiful city (the first time I came here).

If I were to choose a favourite singer, I'd choose the obaasan, the Japanese grandmother. When she sang, I felt the emotions, the grief. She reminded me of Yakenogahara (Burnt Field) by Cocco, a Japanese singer. I actually had Memories as LSS.

There's also one actor who, albeit playing no major role, still gave an impressive performance. Of course there were also others who did the same. I appreciate it because I'm quite critical on actors. I expect them to do their best, to give their all. And as I've watched the play twice, I also noticed that there was a subtle but reasonable and better change of facial expression on "Catherine." It was good because I was quite bothered that on day 1 I could hardly find the right facial expressions.

Costume

The yukata or kimono! I only noticed it on day 2 because the two actresses portraying as Japanese stood side by side. One of them wore it wrong because depending on how you "wrap" yourself indicates if you're alive or dead. I didn't know then which one got it wrong but as I checked, wrapping the kimono right over left is only for the dead.

Being an alien in this city got me a little awkward when I saw men in tribal costume marching below the stage. Yes, they passed before me because I was seated on front. But I only felt a little awkward because that's what I usually feel for people who are in awkward situations. It was interesting also, which got me really curious, because they were not afraid to move around with just that loin cloth. I've always wondered where they got such confidence. Then on day 2 I noticed someone's modern undergarment. That explained it all and I was finally relieved.

Music

I love the score. Some reminded me of Mulan's I'll Make a Man Out of You while others reminded me of those typical in a musical play where the notes go... I can't describe it as I'm not a musical person but I think it's like pressing the same low note. I love that in musicals.

I'm not really familiar, though I've already seen a few (on TV/documentaries), with the musical culture of the Igorots and Ibaloys but there are similarities with those of the other indigenous people of the Philippines. I love the flute performances, both solo and as an accompaniment for the guy who sang in native language. I love it because, although I understood nothing, it reminded me of Mindanao. They're quite the same! I actually almost got lost in nostalgia.

Now Playing: Anna Tsuchiya - Stand By Me

My first musical play in Baguio

I think it's the first time that I got to watch a (live) musical play. And it was for free. Lucky me!

It all started with my following the traffic rule at Igorot Park, which was the "No Loading and Unloading." Thus I decided to get off a bit farther because I thought the jeepney driver was also following the traffic rule. I thought wrong. So before I get "lost," I decided to get off before the next corner. As soon as I did there I saw a tarpaulin inviting people to watch a 3-act musical play about the story of Kennon. At first I thought it was about the man, Maj. Lyman Lennon. I was quite in a hurry so I didn't read everything on the tarp. But I did read global peace, history (or something about that), and the most important of all: free. I've already walked past the tarpaulin but as those key words began to sink in I thought it'd be nice to get to know the history of the City of Baguio.

Going to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) and in a computer shop were my original agenda last Wednesday. It was Matteo's birthday! I still went to BGHMC but also decided to drop by the Baguio Convention Center to watch the musical play. Thank goodness I did so.

I rarely believe in coincidence. I prefer to believe what King Solomon said, that everything has a purpose. A lot of the lines in the dialogues and songs just hit home as they remind me of what shall become of the City of Baguio, which is one of the key cities in the Philippines. If you've been attending the NPG for these past couple of years, you know what I mean.

I was seated in front on the right side close to the videographer. I'm glad it was dark, and that most people were behind me, as my eyes turned into a faucet. I just couldn't stop shedding tears. From the line of the Japanese grandfather, "Revive! Revive!" to the final act. I'm glad I had a bottle of water to keep me from being dehydrated.

I've only seen Kennon Road when we had a family vacation in Baguio while I was still in college. I was awestruck by its beauty. It was so beautiful that I got lost in words to describe it. It's been years and I don't know how Kennon Road looks today. But based on the musical play, I wouldn't be surprised if words escape me again if I pass by Kennon Road once more, but this time because of disappointment.

The musical play was so poignant in message that I decided to approach the director (too bad I can't remember his name) and thank him for the wonderful play. He told me that the story had been in his dreams around 2005-2006. Sounds familiar? "Old men will dream dreams." Joel chapter 2. No wonder the play didn't just reach my ears and soul but also my spirit.

From what I've watched and learned, I do believe on what the musical play claims Benguet Road to be. Kennon: Road to Global Peace and Unity


Now Playing: One Rock - The Beginning