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.

Under The Sea with The Little Mermaid!

Yet through another discounted online purchasing, this time Ensogo, we were able to watch the first show of The Little Mermaid Manila by Atlantis productions. This is Jethro’s third musical this year.

Little Mermaid Manila was the first Asian production of the Broadway musical based on the beloved Disney Classic. With such songs like Part of your World, Under the Sea, this is definitely a sure fire hit and Atlantis productions didn’t disappoint us. The sets ranged from simple to extravagant. Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl filled the stage with colorful costumes and props. Shadow puppetry were utilized as well to show animated scenes. The costumes made a good illusion of the fins and tails while the actors walk around.

The cast were great led by Rachel Ann Go and Erik Santos but it was Jinky and OJ who I think stole the show played Ursula and Sebastian respectively. Other cast members like Calvin Millado (Triton), Lee Viloria (flounder) and Ikey Canoy (Scuttle). The ensemble was a collection of theater professionals and familiar faces. All their numbers were applauded loudly and done with such energy and presence. Being familiar to the material makes the musical more enjoyable. Even the songs that are not on the animated movie was catchy like Positoovity and She’s in Love.

The show ended with a standing ovation and they deserved it. This is the last production of Atlantis this year and I’m just glad I didn’t miss any one of them. They were all world class and excellent productions from Next to Normal, Aida, In the Heights and Little Mermaid. Can’t wait for next year for Rock of Ages, Nine, God of Carnage and Shrek the Musical.


PS. That night we saw Lea Salonga, Leo Valdez and Joanna Ampil watching the show. We’re fortunate to meet Joanna at the lobby and didn’t waste an opportunity to have our picture taken with her.

Bicol Express!!!!

We went to Bicol last weekend with friends on a road trip. We left Manila at 2am and arrived in Camarines Sur at around 10AM. We stayed at Camarines Sur WaterSports Complex on one of their wooden cabins. The place has villas that was beautifully landscaped and the brown colors of the cabins makes it look like you are on an upscale subdivision. Grabbed a lunch and quick nap, then we proceeded to Lago Del rey, A man-made lake complete with inflatables and obstacle course to play around. Jethro had a lot of fun swimming on his own, with life vest of course. The trampoline was a lot of fun. The obstacle course was pretty hard, though. There were two big inflatables called ‘icebergs’, one was around ten feet high, the other 20 feet. I only tried climbing the shorter one and when I got to the top, I was almost out of breath and had to rest for a while before jumping.

At night time we, the lake closes so we moved to the wakeboarding lake. I only tried the kneeboarding. It was such an experience given that I’m not the sporty type of person. Really tested my stamina though.

The next day, we’re on the road again to see the majestic Mayon Volcano. On the way to the mayon, you will be awed by its beauty. The perfect cone shape is something you will only see here. Zooming in on my camera, you can see the ridges where the lava flowed from previous eruptions. Cagsawa Ruins is a delight to see. To behold the actual ruins you only see on pictures before. Similar to the feeling I had when I first looked at the Chocolate Hills in Bohol. We had picture taking and one of the guide was kind enough to take trick shots using our cameras.






We went back to CWC for more swimming and we let Jethro enjoy the water. We went back to Manila the next day with cramps on shoulder and legs from an exhausting but unforgettable activities in Bicol.