Starting them young
RAFA AND ‘KATY!’ AND ‘MANILA VANILLA’ STAR, CELINE FABIE. Exposing kids to live Filipino performances helps them identify with our distinct culture.
For a 5-year-old boy whose exposure to Philippine performing arts is primarily limited to TV, videos on DVD or YouTube, watching live original Filipino theater productions is a welcome treat!
My husband and I always make a conscious effort to develop our son Rafa’s interest in Philippine arts and culture. Amid the strong competition and bombardment of western music, movies and shows, we find ways to creatively present to him snippets of beautiful Pinoy artistry.
During the recent 10-day run of “Katy! The Musical” at the Meralco Theater, we were presented with a wonderful opportunity: Our Mabuhay Restop Travel Café Museum was the show’s exclusive concessionaire, and that came with the privilege of getting to watch “Katy!” every night!
Rafa always looked forward to watching the show, no matter how many times he had already seen it. After the run, he was very disappointed when we told him it was over.
It’s a good thing that Rafa will continue to enjoy live Filipino theater with our ongoing “Manila Vanilla” and “Mga Kwento ni Tita Beauty” shows at the Mabuhay Restop in Rizal Park. Even though he has seen those shows many times, he never fails to take a spot near the stage to watch and enjoy them—every time!
Level of appreciation
This is why we do what we do at Mabuhay Restop: to raise the young generation’s level of appreciation of Philippine culture and the arts.
Inasmuch as Rafa loves New Direction songs and Gangnam-style dance, it makes my day when I catch him singing some “Tita Beauty” and “Manila Vanilla” songs on his own while playing at home.
More recently, I caught him singing “Tale! Tale! ‘Wag Kang Magmadali” from “Katy!” He is also fascinated with the angklung bamboo instruments that we recently got at Mabuhay Restop, which will be part of our upcoming “The Mabuhay Fiesta Show.”
Exposing our 5-year-old son to live Filipino musical performances helps him identify with our distinct culture.
A friend of mine who watched “Katy!” said, “I wish I had brought the kids with me to watch it!” The ones who did, like Bo Sanchez, Marivic Pineda and Gerry and Marga Tolentino, were very happy about the experience.
“We loved it—the very best music, humor and story combined in one beautiful experience,” says Bo who watched “Katy!” with his 8-year-old son, Francis.
“Great show!” I thought she wouldn’t enjoy it—but, she did!” says Marivic who brought her 10-year-old daughter, Sofie.
“Although they didn’t understand some of the lyrics and dialogue, they appreciated the beautiful music, performances and artistry of the show,” says Marga whose kids, 15-year-old Zandro and 12-year-old Anella, are second-generation Filipino-Americans.
Developing and strengthening our sense of nationality begins with the young generations’ appreciation of our own arts and culture. Thank God for theater stalwarts, Nestor Torre, Isay Alvarez, Robert Seña, Andy Bais, Celine Fabie and other theater artists!
May you continue your tireless and selfless dedication to mounting excellent Filipino musicals—big or small!
