Made My Day

This afternoon we watched a puppet show by the Tali-Galaw Group from Manila (I'm not quite sure about their name or the spelling, but anyway...) and it was somewhere between fascinating and dragging. For me, that is. I don't know with you.

Flashback. I was really clueless about what we were all doing there in the Hall. I mean, it was packed, with the little kids there, and I knew each one of us also had little or no idea what's in store for us.

Well, I was in for a rocky ride. In the first show, the Ifugao Dance, I was wide awake. It was absolutely hilarious. Everyone was laughing hysterically at the string puppets dancing like real Igorots. In fact, from afar they eerily looked like real people. Seriously.

Then a show about the environment came next. The voices were so cute and the puppets so adorable that they made us sigh and go "awww...".

A show about Philippine festivals followed, including the games and traditions. The ride was becoming rocky by then because everyone was laughing like mad at the puppets. One was going up and down a pole in a funny way, another was hanging already from the pabitin (headless already), and yet another was trying to hit a palayok blindfolded, but instead it went around like a headless chicken and hit the other puppet. And then more traditions were shown.

After that was Ibong Adarna. I was looking forward to it but I was quite bummed because it only made me sleepy. Plus, the students were fast losing interest. The ride was rockier.

Then a show about our country's long history of fighting for freedom came next. This time there were two hand puppets narrating. I couldn't appreciate it much since I couldn't hear clearly, what with all the noise. It seemed pretty funny, anyway.

Last but not the least was the Buto-buto band (the puppets looked like skeletons. Or maybe they really were). Somehow everyone paid attention once again as the puppets rock-and-rolled on the stage, headbanging and going wild (one puppet kicked his piano off the stage and broke his foot in the process). It was rockin' hilarious.

So all in all, I'd give them a 9 out of 10. Though it became boring with the last two shows or so, it was still pretty cool and awesome. The puppets were well done and you could tell they really prepared. Plus, the music was great too. You know, I feel really guilty that we didn't pay much attention. I mean, it was obvious they put a lot of effort in doing the show, for our enjoyment. And what grateful brats we were.

Rocky ride comes to an end here. But I know I'll miss those adorable, uproarious puppets that tickled my funny bone. It made my day.

Sonnet 145: I Hate...Not You

Those lips that Love's own hand did make,

Breathed forth the sound that said 'I hate',

To me that languished for her sake:

But when she saw my woeful state,

Straight in her heart did mercy come,

Chiding that tongue that ever sweet

Was used in giving gentle doom;

And taught it thus anew to greet;

'I hate', she altered with an end,

That followed it as gentle day,

Doth follow night, who like a fiend

From heaven to hell is flown away.

'I hate', from hate away she threw,

And saved my life, saying 'not you'.