Dance

We went to one of the many Philippine festivals here in Virginia. This time, we traveled 110 miles to be with our Kababayans in Richmond, Virginia to celebrate their own Philippine festival. Filipinos displayed their talents in the main stage, while others were stationed in their respective provincial booths.

Dance

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©JReyes

Ang Pagninilay at Pag-alala ng isang Batang Batibot

Isa ako sa mga batang napasaya at napalaki ng mga aral ng Batibot. Ang Batibot: ang tambayan ng isang pagong na nagngangalang Pong at ang matsing na si Kiko, at ng kanilang mga pinakamamahal na kaibigan, kasama na sina Kuya Bodjie, Ate Shena, Kuya Mario, Kuya Dwight, Ate Isay, Kuya Ching, at marami pang iba. Sa huli ko na lamang nalaman na ang Batibot pala ay iyong mistulang silyang nakabakod sa puno sa gitna ng palaruan.

Bagamat ito’y hango sa palabas sa Amerika na Sesame Street, naituro ng Batibot ang kultura at aral Pilipino. Hindi natin maitatanggi na malaki ang naitulong ng palabas na Batibot sa mga batang manonood, hindi lamang sa larangan ng panitikan at sining na Pilipino, kundi pati na rin sa pang-araw-araw na buhay. Siguro’y sasang-ayon sa akin ang mga kapwa ko batang Batibot na hanggang ngayon ay hindi namin nakakalimutan ang mga ginintuang aral na itinuro ng palabas nito sa pamamagitan ng tula, kanta, at kuwento. Hayaan niyong magbanggit ako ng ilan sa mga hindi ko malilimutang bahagi ng Batibot:

1. Isda-da-da, isda – Sa kantang ito, tinuri sa atin ng Batibot ang bawat parte ng isang isda. Palikpik, taliptip, kaliskis, ang ilan lamang sa malalalim na salitang Pilipino na madali mo nang maituturo sa pakikinig at panonood lamang ng kantang ito. “Anong hayop ka ba? Sa tubig nakatira? May palikpik, dalawang mata, walang kamay, walang paa?

2. Balut, penoy – Sino ba naman ang makakalimot kung paano ginagawa ang balut sa Pateros? Eto ang isang yugto ng Batibot na kung saan ang “music video” ay mala-Ating Alamin ni Ka Gerry Geronimo ang dating, na kung saan sinusundan ng camera and mga itlog ng itik mulang pagkuha hanggang pagiging balut, na may background music na kinanta ng batikang mangangantang si Sylvia La Torre. “Balut, penoy, balut, bili na kayo ng itlog na balut…”

3. Mga Kuwento ni Kuya Bodjie: (Ang pamilya Ismid) – Ito ay isang kuwentong ibinahagi ni Kuya Bodjie sa isa sa kanyang mga pagkukuwento. Ang Pamilya Ismid ay isang pamilya ng mga Baboy na matapobre at hindi mahilig makipagkapwa-tao (este baboy). Ang nais lamang nila ay manatili sa bahay at pagandahin ang kanilang nagkukulutang mga buntot. Nang minsang nagkaroon ng sakuna sa kanilang baryo, nasunugan ang pamilya Ismid at doon nila natutunan kung paano makipagkapwa tao. Napakasimpleng kuwento na may ginintuang aral.

4. Ako ang kapitbahay, kapitbahay niyo – Isa na naming kantang mananatili sa iyong isipan kahit ilang oras matapos ang segment na ito sa Batibot. Ipinapakilala ditto ng Batibot ang iba’t ibang tao sa paligid ng inyong komunidad: Pulis, Metro Aide (noong panahon na wala pang MMDA), Karpintero, Tubero, Magtataho, Panadero, at kung anu-ano pa. Magpapakita ng kung anu-anong mga bagay na gamit ng taong ito upang lalo mo siyang makilala. Halimbawa sa Pulis, papakita isa-isa ang kanyang tsapa, silbato, batuta, sombrero. Para makilala mong pulis siya. “Kilala niyo ako, kilala niyo ako, ako’y isa sa kapitbahay kapitbahay ninyo!!!”

5. Pagsama-samahin ang pare-pareho – Isang simple ngunit praktikal na aral na ating nakuha sa Batibot: Ang magkakapareho, pagsamahin. Sa lahat ng bagay magagamit mo yan, hindi lang sa paglalaba o sa pagsasalansan ng gamit sa mga bodega. “Ang magkakatulad ay ating igrupo. Kay saying libangan, kay daling gawin.”

6. Tinapang bangus – Isa na namang segment sa Batibot na hinding hindi ko makalimutan. Pinakita ng Batibot sa kanilang Music Video ang paggawa ng Tinapang Bangus, at kung paano pagsaluhan itong ng mga pamilya Pilipino. Matapos ang kantang ito ay mapapabili ka talaga ng tinapang bangus sa palengke. “Tinapang bangus, tinapang bangus, masarap at masustansya.”

7. Sitsiritsit, Alibangbang – Ang magbarkadang alien na sina Sitsiritsit at Alibangbang at ang kanilang nakakahawang pagpasok sa eksena ay walang tigil na humahanap ng mga bagong kaalaman sa mundo ng mga tao. “Sitsiritsit, Alibangbang (repeat 3x).”

8. Ang bakang si Puti – Alagang alaga naming si Puti. Yan ang awit ng ilang mga batang may kaibigang baka na nagbibigay sa kanila ng tuwa’t saya. Isa na naman sa mga kantang Batibot na nagbibigay aliw at tuwa

9. Perlas na bilog, wag tutulog tulog, sabihin agad sa kin ang sagot. Ba be bi bo bu! – Sabay iilaw ang bolang Kristal ni Manang Bola at masasagot ang katanungan ng bawat batang lumalapit sa kanya. Ang kakaibang malumanay na boses ni Manag Bola ay nakatatak sa aking isipan hanggang ngayon.

10. Teatro bulilit – Ang segment na ito ay madalas kong gayahin noong ako’y bata. Nagdodrawing ako ng mukha sa aking daliri at gagawa ng kuwento at mayroon na akong munting puppet show. Napakagaling na konsepto ng pang-aliw sa mga kabataan. Sa mumunting mga daliri, marami ang natuwa sa kuwento hinahatid nila.

At paminsan-minsan, may ilang mga segment ang Batibot na nagpapakita sa ilang mga katha n gating mga kapatid na Pilipino sa iba’t ibang parte ng mundo. Halimbawa’y ang paggawa ng basket na rattan, at kung anu-ano pa…

Sinong batang Batibot nga ba ang makakalimot sa ganitong mga eksena? Isa sa mga kagalingan ng palabas na ito ay ang pagkiliti sa damdamin ng bawat batang Pilipino. Ito ay nagagawa nila sa tulong na rin ng mga tauhan at mga puppet na kumakatawan sa bawat kakatwa, minsan ay nakakainis na katangian ng mga Pilipino. Sa mga tauhang ito, may ilan din akong paborito:

1. Irma Daldal at Direk – Sinong batang Batibot ang makakalimot sa batikang aktres na palaging nagkakamali sa eksena, na kung saan sumisigaw si Direk ng “CUT!” sa bawat maling katagang sambitin ni Irma? Ipinapakita ng eksenang ito ang pagmamahal ng Pilipino sa sining ng pinilakang tabing at ang pagkahumaling natin sa mga artista. Kaya’t si Irma ang kumakatawan sa mga taong ito, na kahit ilang ulit magkamali ay minamahal ng masa.

2. Ate Ningning at Gingging – Paggalang sa kapatid ang aral na dinudulot ng magkalarong magkapatid na ito. Sa bawat suliraning kaharapin ng dalawa ay palaging nakahahanap sila ng solusyon. Ipinapakitang halimbawa ito ng dakilang pagmamahalan ng magkapatid.

3. Manang Bola – Paggalang sa matatanda ang nasi ipakita sa mga eksenang kasama si Manang Bola. Sa tuwing kokonsulta si Manang Bola sa kanyang Bolang Kristal tiyak may kasagutan siya sa bawat batang magtatanong sa kanya.

4. Kapitan Basa – Ang sikat na superhero ng Batibot, ang pangunahing misyon ni Kapitan Basa ay hikayatin ang mga bata na magbasa nang lumawak ang kanilang kaalaman.

5. Pong Pagong – Ang palaging matanong na si Pong ay ang simbolo ng isang batang pilit tinutuklas ang kanyang kapaligiran. Sa tuwing may bago siyang natututunan maririnig natin ang tunog ng kanyang pagkasabik: Wheeeeeeee!

6. Kiko Matsing – Ang makulit na si Kiko ay ang simbolo ng isang batang mapaglaro. Makulit, matanong, masayahin, tulad ng isang batang masayang sinasamsam ang kanyang kabataan.

7. Kuya Mario – Sino ba ang makakalimot sa mababang tono ng boses ni Kuya Maryo na isang jeepney driver, isang matalinong Jeepney driver. At mahilig kumanta. :)

8. Ate Isay – ang tagapagpayo ni Kiko at Pong, si Ate Isay na palaging binibiyayaan ng himig ang dalawa

9. Ate Shena – Ang isa sa mga pangunahing tauhan ng Batibot, si Ate Shena ang tagapagpayo at tagakuwento sa mga batang Batibot. Hanggang ngayon sa tuwing nakikita ko siya sa ilang mga pagkakataon ay hindi ko maiwasang mapasabi ng “uy si Ate Shena!” Ang ate ng bawat batang Batibot.

10. Kuya Bodjie – Ang pinakatumatak na kuya sa lahat. Ang tagapagpayo, tagakuwento, tagalathala, at voice over na rin ng Batibot. Isa siyang alamat para sa ming mga batang Batibot. Hindi hindi naming makakalimutan ang mga kuwento niya. Ako, hindi ko malilimutan ang kuwento niya tungkol sa pamilya Ismid.

Ilan lamang ito sa mga tumatak sa aking kaisipan nung ako’y bata pa. Masasabi kong bilang isang batang Batibot, malaki ang naitulong ng palabas na ito sa akin sa paghubog ng aking kaisipan bilang isang Pilipino. Nakalulungkot isipin na wala nang palabas na katulad nito sa Pilipinas. Ito ay dahil mas gusto ng mga network na Pilipino na kumita ng malaki kaysa tumulong sa pagpapalago ng kaisipan ng kabataan. Hindi kasi bumebenta ang palabas na pambata, at hindi pinapanood kung ito’y hindi telenovela o nagpapamigay ng pera. Nakalulungkot namang talaga.

Oras na siguro upang ibalik ang mga palabas na tulad ito nang hindi naman lumaki ang mga kabataan Pilipino na walang ibang alam kundi kantahin ang mga awitin ni Willie Revillame na madalas ay walang katuturan o hindi kinapupulutan ng aral. Panahon na upang tumulong ang Philippine media sa pagsulong ng mas malalim na kaisipan ng kabataang Pilipino. Panahon na upang magkaroon ng mga palabas na may katuturan… GMA, ABS-CBN, kayo ang pag-asa namin. Utang na loob, pahingi naman po ng mga palabas na may katuturan sa mga kabataan Pilipino! Aking nabalitaan na sinubukang buhaying ng TV-5 ang Batibot. Nawa'y mapalawig pa ang palabas na ito!

Ako po ay batang Batibot. Pinalaki ako ng mga kanta at kuwento nito at masasabi kong ito ay nakatulong sa aking paglaking maliksi at masigla…

Malamang ikaw din ay may paboritong parte ng Batibot. Maaaring magbahagi sa pamamagitan ng pagkomento. :)

Mabuhay!

“Pagmulat ng mata, langit nakatawa sa Batibot.."

Amigo: In US Theaters 2 September 2011

It is a rare occasion to see Filipino movies being shown in foreign theaters. And if they happen, Filipinos must show their utmost support! That is what I do as a member of the Filipino community here in DC. Amigo, an independent film about the Philippine-American War is to be shown in Washington DC, Gaithersburg and Virginia Beach on September 2, 2011! It will also be shown in 15 other states in the US!

This movie has a cast of great actors from both the US and the Philippines, headed by one of the best Filipino actors of this generation, Mr. Joel Torre, award-winning veteran great Mr. Chris Cooper and and a roster of Filipino greats like Ronnie Lazaro, Rio Locsin, John Apacible, Pen Medina and Bembol Roco.

I was fortunate to meet Joel Torre in his presscon here in DC.

Amigo's synopsis:

AMIGO, the 17th feature film from Academy Award-nominated writer-director John Sayles, stars legendary Filipino actor Joel Torre as Rafael, a village mayor caught in the murderous crossfire of the Philippine-American War.


When U.S. troops occupy his village, Rafael comes under pressure from a tough-as-nails officer (Chris Cooper) to help the Americans in their hunt for Filipino guerilla fighters. But Rafael’s brother (Ronnie Lazaro) is the head of the local guerillas, and considers anyone who cooperates with the Americans to be a traitor. Rafael quickly finds himself forced to make the impossible, potentially deadly decisions faced by ordinary civilians in an occupied country.


A powerful drama of friendship, betrayal, romance and heartbreaking violence, AMIGO is a page torn from the untold history of the Philippines, and a mirror of today’s unresolvable conflicts.

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I sure hope Filipinos in the area watch this movie and bring with them their non-Filipino friends so that they could understand and learn what history books seldom brings out. It is for the whole world to see that our relations with the US is not entirely a bed of roses, but started out as a thorny one. At the same time, it is to show the world how Filipinos survive amidst the war, and how they cope and learn and thrive in the midst of oppression or struggle.

Kudos to John Sayles for taking this opportunity and to Joel Torre and the entire Filipino cast for masterfully braving this project. Mabuhay kayong lahat!

To know more about Amigo, visit http://www.amigomovie.com/.

The Philippine National Anthem

Why do Filipinos keep on bastardizing the Philippine National Anthem? Some sing like it's R&B, some try to "balladize" it, some forget the lyrics along the way. Noypis, for the love of country, please, STOP revising the national anthem. When you sing the national anthem, always remember that the Philippine National Anthem is a MARCH. It's supposed to be happy. It's neither a Jingle nor a Ballad. It's definitely not a Novelty song. please, sing it right. Also, the title of our national anthem is LUPANG HINIRANG, and not BAYANG MAGILIW. If you guys really love your country, you need to start somewhere. And what better way to start loving your country than to begin loving the right national anthem. Don't try imitating Americans with their renditions of the Star Spangled Banner. We have our law on how the song is sung. And we have a reason why the song needed to be sung that way.

Here are two correct versions of Lupang Hinirang:



Here's a newer video, made by Filipino Channel 7:



How difficult could it be?

I just don't get it. Sorry about the rant.

Cinemalaya Cinco

I was able to watch the Cinemalaya Cinco Film Festival held last week. I was able to watch the opening movie, Manila, which was shown for FREE! I am not much of a movie critic, nor am I an avid Indie film enthusiast, my utterly baseless and unsolicited comment of the Adolfo Alix-Raya Martin Masterpiece was that it wanted to tackle on a lot of issues about Manila, but failed to concentrate heavily on one. Maybe I a just a shalklow observer, but I could not see the connection of middle credits with the movie's overarching theme. Perhaps the directors would explain it in their respective interviews. Overall, Manila had its drags and bores, but it was okay. At least we are seeing improvements in the Filipino movie industry as it veers away from Filipino-Chinese overexposed culture multi-sequels, or the horror flick fever. At least from movies like this, we can see that we can still make quality movies for a reasonable budget.

On Wednesday that week, I was able to convince two of my officemates to join me in watching a Cinemalaya Cinco entry. I was choosing between 24K and Colorum because they were the two movies available at 9pm that day. We went there and found that Colorum was already full, so we ended up watching 24K. Being a fan of treasure adventure movies like Indiana Jones and National Treasure, I expected some sort of the same thing by reading from the festival's brochure. Well, it did not disappoint that much. :)
The film shot directly from Suyo, Ilocos Sur. The place was beautiful, breathtaking, picturesque. The director had no problem shooting for beautiful angles because it seemed like there is a beautiful spot in every corner of the place. Thus, it gave the movie the highest honors in Cinematography. The stars Julio Diaz, Archie Adamos and Jojit Lorenzo were fantastic. The exchange of lines, though sometimes inaudible, were very natural and smooth. The comedy and the tragedy of the movie was well put into place. Until now, I still recall a few exchange of lines between treasure hunters Manok (Diaz), Ninong Fred (Adamos), Boyet (Lorenzo), Karlo (Miguel Vasquez), and Arturo. Their funny and sometimes insane ways of looking for clues while digging into a hole in the fabled treasure spot was truly catchy.

I enjoyed the film and recommended it to my other friends. To bad it did not gather much attention and hype, thus garnering the lowest box office turnout among the finalist. Nonetheless, the film is a must-see, especially by nature- and culture-loving Filipinos like myself. Kudos to director Ana Agabin for her work!

Apparently, my officemates enjoyed the 24K experience so we decided to watch again the next day! We then watched the movie Colorum same time Thursday. Luckily, it was Colorum's Gala night, so the cast of Colorum headed by Alfred Vargas and Lou Veloso were there.

The movie had a simple and mundane plot, which developed into a big bloody mess towards the end. Simon (Vargas), a decent cop by day and Colorum FX driver by night, crossed path with Pedro (Veloso), an recently-pardoned ex-convict. Their meeting was the usual driver-to-passenger relationship, until suddenly, they were caught in an accident that immediately changes their lives. The recently released Pedro, was once again bound by freedom constraints because he was the only witness to the bloody accident which led to the death of an American serviceman. Simon accidentally run over the guy while looking for Oasis Transit, Pedro's supposed drop-off point. And it was a rollercoaster ride after that.

Veloso's powerful performance in this movie earned him a Best Actor nod in the recent awards ceremonies. His tandem with Alfred Vargas was the main highlight of this movie. There were a few dragging scenes in the start, but were quite necessary to build up each of the casts' characters. The subliminal excerpts that somewhat linked to the Marcos era, were seemd unnecessary. But overall, the film was okay.

Of the three movies I watched, I enjoyed 24K the best.

After the film, we were fortunate to be able to mingle with the cast of Colorum. I approached and congratulated Alfred Vargas, who was my high school batchmate. I also requested a souvenir shot with him and Lou Veloso. :)We also got to see Ninong Fred (Adamos) during the Colorum showing, since he is also part of the cast of Colorum being Alfred Vargas' Colonel Ninong. My officemates and I became instant fans of Archie Adamos, for his versatile acting from both movies we watched.

Overall, the Cinemalaya Cinco was a success. From the three days I went to CCP, the hall was filled with people: fans, movie-lovers, enthusiasts. Whatever their intentions were in going to Cinemalaya, one thing's for certain. The Filipinos' innate love for art will surely help revive the dying movie industry through their support in festivals like this. Filipinos may now exercise their craftsmanship and talent in an industry that is seemingly expensive to practice, with very minimal budget.

Thanks to my Cinemalaya buddies, Tata and Herzon! Also, thanks to Joan, Tere and friends for having been convinced to watch Colorum over Public Enemies! :)

Cheers to the Philippine independent movie industry!

Coppelia, Ballet Philippines

Another late post.

Thanks to the free tickets, Bubbles and I were able to watch Coppelia, a presentation by Ballet Philippines, with the participation of the Manila Symphony Orchestra. I was surprised to find myself fascinated by the graceful steps of the dancers, added with the musical harmony brought by the orchestra. I just discovered I had in me the sense of appreciation to such art as ballet, when I was all-eyes and ears the entire morning, given that it was a lazy Sunday morning! I have traded this event from my usual late-morning get-up and bumming around at home and found myself enjoying from the show! :)

Thanks to my lady for pushing me to join her in this show. It was a great experience. If there will be another chance for me to watch the Ballet Philippines, I would gladly watch it!

Cheers to Ballet Philippines and the Manila Symphony Orchestra for a great Coppelia last December 2008!

Should not be forgotten

During the gala run of the play "Gerilya sa Powell Street," we were able to see some familiar faces like national artists Ben Cabrera and F. Sionil Jose, DND Usec. Ernesto Carolina, and the head of Tanghalang Pilipino, Nanding Josef. Jun Lozada was also present, along with her trusted friends from the religious sector.



Amidst these famous personalities, the real stars of the night were the valiant veteran men and women who fought hard against the Japanese invaders during the Second World War. There were about 20 of them present that night, representing the hundreds of thousands of Guerillas who sacrificed their youth and their private lives to protect our country's sovereignty against foreign oppression.





Although old and seemingly frail, these people managed to grace the event, with an underlying message that Filipinos all over the world should never forget what these people have done almost 70 years ago. Let their heroism and sense of nationhood be not just forever remembered, but be emulated by every single Filipino living today.

The play ran for about three hours, but because of the cast's comic antics led by veteran screen actors Tommy Abuel and Lou Veloso, they managed to keep the audience interested, awake, and satisfied. I had fun watching the play. and I'm sure all others who were with me in the theater felt the same way.

Cheers to all Filipino war veterans!

Gerilya sa Powell Street

I have always been a supporter of the Philippine Entertainment Industry, be it directly of indirectly. I have the privilege of being able to see the first screening night of Gerilya sa Powell Street, which opens tonight at the CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute.





If ever you have the time and are contemplating of things to do, try watching a Filipino play. With "Gerilya," it is starred by two of the most prized actors of our generation, Tommy Abuel and Bembol Roco.

The ad was taken from http://www.ccp.gov.ph/:

Below are the details fo the play:

Venue : Tanghalang Huseng Batute(CCP Studio Theater)

Time : 8:00 pm, Date : Nov 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 2008

Time : 3:00 pm, Date : Nov 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 2008

Synopsis: Elderly war veterans battle loneliness, homesickness and despair with a deep reserve of humor as they endure the life of exiles in San Francisco, California. The relentless rhythm of the cable cars become the background for the poignant ruminations on patriotism and homeland. Leading actors from Philippine cinema share the stage with the bastions of Philippine theater. Rody Vera’s adaptation of Benjamin Pimentel’s novel is directed by Chris Millado.
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Let's support our very own artists and their crafts. This is highly recommended especially for teens and young adults who have little or no knowledge of the country's past. It not only provides entertainment, but also gives the viewers a sense of history, culture, and nationhood, which I'm sure is lacking in the Filipino psyche nowadays.