Club Balai Isabel beside the Taal Lake (May 2012)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Small Wonders (Hope Academy) Graduation day

Jethro on his Graduation day

Small Wonders' Prep class of 2011-2012

Getting 4 ribbons and 3 Medals

Most Reliable and Most Attentive
Best in Reading and Best in Language,
Best in Math and Best in Science,
Achiever of the Year Awardee
(3rd place CAMPRISA Academic Competition)
Academic Honors Awardee

Jethro's First Quiz Bee (Feb 2012)

Here are some pictures of Jethro's first quiz bee at CAMPRISA Academic Competition as Hope Academy delegate for Math in pre-school division. He won third place.

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown by 9 Works Theatrical

Three plays in two days,
Three different Theater companies,
A Shakespear's play in Filipino
Two Shakespearean actors trying to pass off as ladies
and a fun musical to top it off.

PETA's Haring Lear (Feb 17 night), Rep's Leading Ladies, and 9 Works Theatrical's You're A Good Man Charlie Brown.

Need I say more. :)

I just have to gear up for the next half of 2012 with more excellent shows coming up.

PETA's Haring Lear

This is my first time to watch a Filipino adaptation of a Shakespearean Play and it was amazing. PETA’s Haring Lear was just great from performances to production design. The play was very visual despite the post-apocalyptic set design and black and ‘white’ costumes. It was performed by an all male cast which is not unusual as we all know that during Shakespeare’s time, theater was performed be men and that women are not allowed to act. This is a common knowledge but searching the net as to why it was like that shows responses ranging from women not being good enough then to others like since theater is becoming profitable during that era that the men were afraid that women might get rich. I’m no expert so I’ll leave it at that. Going back to the play, the all men performance was highlighted as well with all the actors shaven head except for the play’s title role Teroy Guzman. That sets him apart from the other actors accentuating his royalty.

Hearing the words of Shakespeare in tagalong is a delight. The translation of National artist Bienvenido Lumbera is impeccable and despite some of the words that are no longer familiar today, the translation did bring it closer to us and made it more understandable. I love the scene though where the actual English texts were used (when the first two daughters expressed their ‘love’ to their father).

Another scene that will stick to you was the tempest scene. A whole act set outside the castle while it’s raining and the way it was presented to the audience is just wonderful. I used to think that water and stage can’t go together but here, they brought the rain inside the theater. During the scene, two props-men holding a long tube with water shower nozzle at the end pointed at the actors soaking them with water made it all real. Splashes of water while the actors say their lines are just breathtaking.

After almost three hours, you wouldn’t notice that the play is over. The tragedy that is King Lear is a wonderful piece of theater.    

First Half of 2012 in Theater

 First half of 2012 in theater with Repertory Philippines' 75th Season.

Next Fall  - Jan 2012



















Leading Ladies - Feb 2012

Jekyll and Hyde - March 2012

Disney on Ice Celebrations!

The magic of Disney is very much alive when we saw Disney on Ice Celebrations! last Dec 28. This was Jethro’s third Disney on Ice show, with High Scool Musical on Ice in 2008 and Disney on Ice Disneyland adventure last 2009. I bought the tickets late already but good thing I was still able to find 4 seats, including my niece, in the VIP side. Not the ideal view as you won’t be able to see much of the back draft and the projected screen at the top but since the proximity with the skaters is close, it is still enjoyable.

The show began with Lumiere of Beauty and the Beast inviting the kids to “Be our guest” song, and seconds after, a parade of famous Disney characters skate around from Pinochio to Alice in Wonderland, Mowgli and Baloo, Peter Pan and others. Then of course the gang with Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto. The whole coliseum went in an uproar when Mickey and Minnie Mouse appeared hidden in the big gift box props at the middle of the rink. That show how much Mickey mouse had an appeal to young and adult audiences alike. The show continued on with the gang celebrating a “Merry Unbirthday Party” with Alice, Teedledum and Tweedledee plus of course the Mad hatter teasing Mickey that he doesn’t have a party hat. The next scene was a chase between Mickey trying to get Mad Hatter’s hat. After the mess, Mickey has to clean up so he magically put a spell on the brooms making them dance. This was done in a perfectly choreographed dancers dressed as broomsticks with glow in the dark features to make it more magical. Next celebration is Halloween hosted by Jack Skellington and a crew of Disney villains. A dream scene wherein the Disney Princesses and their Prince danced to their own music was just spectacular. It showcases the dancers moves and styles are different from each Princesses. After the break, they went to a Hawaiian vacation with Lilo and Stitch, then went around the world from China to Japan to New Orleans. Lastly, it’s Christmas and the Toys appeared led by Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Rex, Hamm, a toy soldier and troll joined in the holiday festivities. It was a fun night with everyone as kids get to see their favorite Disney characters come alive. I’m sure in a couple of years more, Jethro will not just happy seeing these characters but will be able to appreciate the dance moves of the skaters as well.

We got Jethro a souvenir toy and of course we got another mug to add to our collection. We first got Dash in Disney on Ice two years ago, Flubber last September when we saw Disney Live in Cebu. This time it’s Mickey Mouse.