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!
