GRAVE DIGGERS

THE GRAVE DIGGERS

     It was unfortunate for me to miss the “Grave Diggers” last week because the show seemed interesting, plus it was for FREE!!! Like all examination periods, last week only gave me stressful days and sleepless nights due to tight exam schedules, and that was probably why the show slipped out of my mind.

     Moving on, even though I failed to watch the performance I still had my own expectations. Hearing the title itself, one would sense that the show would give thrill and goosebumps to the audience. But on the contrary, (as what my friends shared) it was more like a comedy than a horror show. According to the narrations I’ve heard, the show was all about the greedy grave diggers who took the treasures and possessions buried along with the dead. Among these thieves, one was only forced to do such crime because his wife was suffering from Tuberculosis and he wanted her to be cured. But then he realized his mistake and turned away from this habit.

     I heard several impressions like “boring” and “confusing” thrown to the show. Despite the not-so-pleasant comments, I think that there are lessons presented along with it, and that it was worth a watch.

TWELFTH NIGHT

(c) Riley Jo 2010

     "TWELFTH NIGHT"

     Upon seeing the poster of the play “Twelfth Night” just days before its showcase, I found it really interesting and funny. I was really fascinated by it since it was not one of those cliche wherein people can easily predict the outcome of the story. It was little confusing though, since the picture only told a little on what to expect in the show. But to be honest, I was really excited to watch the presentation.

     On the day of the play, I arrived at the mini theater just as the show was about to start. Since I was seated at the back part of the venue, I was not able to catch all the words uttered in the entire play. As what I have understood, the story was all about the adventures of a girl who disguised herself as a male servant so she could get be near the man she loved the most.

     The story started with a shipwreck that separated Viola from her twin brother, Sebastian. Although her brother had gone missing, Viola still had hopes that Sebastian had survived the tragic incident.

     Viola, who was so in love with Duke Orsino, concealed her identity by dressing up like a man and worked as eunuch in the name Cesario. She did this so she could be with Orsino. While serving Orsino, Viola would express her secret feelings indirectly toward him by pretending of having a sister who admired a certain lad and was willing to do anything for the man she loved. However, the duke was after another girl named Olivia. Unfortunately, Viola (who was then Cesario) was sent by Orsino to convince Olivia that his intentions were pure, and to persuade her to accept his proposal of marriage. Ironically, the cold-as-ever Lady Olivia, who had rejected Orsino’s plead for many times, immediately fell in love as soon as she laid her eyes on Viola (Cesario).

      The story got more complicated towards the end when Sebastian ended up on Olivia’s lawn, and the beautiful lady mistaken Sebastian as Cesario. The funniest part was when Sebastian unexpectedly met Viola dressed as a man and did not even recognize his twin. Viola finally revealed herself and Orsino realized the truth from the stories she made up that the “sister” she was referring to was actually her and that the “man” whom she loved was him. Despite the odd turn of events, the story still ended with a “happily ever after”. It was only strange to think on how Olivia’s feelings toward Cesario shifted to Sebastian that fast, which is really hard to believe. LOL :D

     Overall, I was satisfied with the whole performance. The cast depicted their roles well and the setting really suited the play’s theme. I didn’t think it was a waste of time watching such beautiful story. I only have one comment regarding the venue. You see, the MSU-IIT mini theater was really crowded during the show. I do think the “Twelfth Night” did not deserve to be performed in the mini theater because it deserved a bigger one. I think the mini theater was too small for such excellent performance. Good job, ABEO!!!

My IPAG Experience

Ethnic dances. Drama. Tragedy. I am actually not a FAN of those kinds of presentations or anything relative to those. Those are not my type, although my parents – who were both KAMBAYOKA performers in MSU Marawi – used to tell me how wonderful those are. But last week, I think I just became one.

Yester week, we were encouraged to watch a show called “Tatlo sa Isa” which was to be performed on the 30th of November by the Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG). This show required a P100-ticket.

“Tatlo sa Isa” is musical narration of three particular natives in Mindanao – the lowland settlers, the Muslims, and the lumad. The dances spoke about the ways of living of these peoples.

It was around 7 in the evening when I arrived at the venue (MSU-IIT gym). When I, together with my classmate, made our entrance we were led to the bleachers area. It was dark on the sides, with only a few phone screens providing illumination. But in the middle of the gym, spotlights were directed to a wide rectangular platform, which was obviously the center stage, surrounded by VIP seats. We found our spot on the right bleachers side. The gym was already crowded when the show began.

First there was an intro. Then it was followed by a dance which I think was the lumad’s and a few more dances that I didn’t recognize. The only dance that I was sure of naming was the Singkil, a popular dance of the Muslim royalty. The costumes and the props of the Singkil dancers were very colorful and sparkly and beautiful I literally could not take my eyes off them. And the dance itself was remarkable. The most exciting part was when the dancers repeatedly inserted their feet between clapping bamboos and then go across the approaching sticks in a fast rhythm.

One of my favorite parts was during Filemon’s scene. It was very jolly and funny and there was a lesson in it. Plus, Daniel Padilla – my ultimate celebrity crush – well, at least his picture, made an appearance! XDDD

Another highlight of the show that deserves a mention is the two birds’ part. It was about two birds happily playing and roving around their precious home, nature. Then a man intruded their shelter, started hunting them and finally destroyed their haven. I believe this was a portrayal to show what was and is still going on in our environment. 

 

Actually, this was not the first time I was able to watch IPAG’s theatrical masterpiece. A few months earlier, I was fortunate enough to witness another breath-taking production from IPAG, a live dramatic play entitled “Mingming” by Steven Patrick C. Fernandez. And being an audience of the same artists for the second time I thought I won’t find their last week’s performance surprising at all. But I was completely wrong. “Tatlo sa Isa” is no less than remarkable as “Mingming”! 

 

Anyways, the overall show was very entertaining. Not everybody was blessed with this chance, but I was able to grab it and I just feel so lucky! I never regretted spending my P100 for a ticket because IPAG gave more than its worth! Thumbs up!