Rama Hari 2024: A Reminder of Asian Richness, and Philippine Greatness

- Feb. 23, 2024, Friday.

- Sometimes, last minute plans turn out great! I wasn't planning to watch Rama Hari at the Samsung Theater at Ayala Malls Circuit, but I'm so glad I did! I already watched this at the CCP in 2012, so I thought it wouldn't make sense for me to watch it again - as reasonably-priced the tickets might have been. But it is the Rama Hari after all: a lauded performance first staged in 1980, brainstormed by 5 national artists. Alice Reyes, who choreographed this whole masterpiece to the musical genius of Ryan Cayabyab, and the lyrical words of Bienvenido Lumbera and Rolando Tinio, brought to life through the sets and costumes of Salvador Bernal.

- Rama Hari, based on the ancient Indian epic "Ramayana," is a story of the triumph of love of Rama and Sita over evil and greed of Ravana and his companions, as well as Rama's stepmother Kaikeyi. However the show itself isn't too grounded on its Indian roots, by infusing it with Southeast-Asian elements. I still find this interesting, perhaps as a way to remind the audience that the Ramayana is one of the aspects of Indian culture that tie Southeast Asia together as well as with South Asia.

Yes I brought my own crown, no I didn't wear it inside the theater.

I'm wearing a brown kurta with a Maguindanao inaul shawl.

- I was privileged enough to have said a few words to THE Alice Reyes herself. We were actually both stunned to meet each other. I need not explain why I was ecstatic to meet Alice Reyes, but it was an honor for Alice Reyes to completely stop and take a look at what I was wearing. "My, you're dressed for the occasion!" She said. It was nice to have a chance to briefly tell her how my attire was a mix of Indian and Filipino, just like the play itself. 

I look calm but I was actually trying so hard to keep the excitement in!

- The performance was nothing short of wonderful! I teared up in some parts, because I remembered my own experiences staging the Ramayana back in high school. It might be "just a high school play" for some, but there were just tons of miracles that happened for that play to see the light of day. (In short, let me have this OK.)   

Incredible, indeed.

With Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and Alice Reyes on stage!

I love what they did to the stage.

- My night just became more stellar after I had the chance to meet and have my photo taken with the cast or Rama Hari, as well as Mr. Ryan Cayabyab himself! 

Can I be part of the cast now?

The cherry on top of my evening!! One of my local music idols!!

- I'm really happy that many of these classics are being restaged every so often. I also feel thankful that many theater productions, local or international, have been patronized and appreciated by Filipinos a lot more in the past decade or so. Because theater tickets can cost a bit, I don't normally watch productions a second time (if I were to shell out my own money). But for something like Rama Hari, it was definitely worth watching a second time!

Celebrating in Style: Chinese New Year 2024 in Binondo Chinatown

- February 10, 2024, Saturday, Chinese New Year.

- Chinese New Year has always been a double-edged sword for me. On one hand, it is an event that serves as an excuse to eat and dress fancily. On the other hand, if deciding to celebrate in Chinatown, it can be hell as the crowd is just too much. But at the end of the day, I guess all of these are just what makes Chinese New Year the joyful event that it is.

- This year, I decided to go out with my hanfu. It was my first time to wear a hanfu. Most people are now used to seeing the Mandarin-collared qipao/cheongsam or tang zhuang as the representatives of traditional Chinese sartorial culture, but these clothes are more contemporary than people think. The more historical ones are the "hanfu" (literally "Chinese clothing"), which look more like robes. They have evolved throughout the many Chinese dynasties , but hanfus - for both men and women - generally have a few parts. Usually there is a top part and a skirt. Additional layers or accessories will depend on one's position in society. In recent years, China has been experiencing a hanfu revival movement especially among the youth. It is nice to see that more young people are interested in learning more about their heritage. This has made hanfus become more available in stores, unlike before. Even here in the Philippines, it has also been easy to buy hanfus directly from China! Of course some of the designs have been modernized, and the use of colors has become less strict as well. I am also happy to see that some young Chinese-Filipinos have appreciated this aspect of Chinese culture too!

- For this year's CNY, I had a long catch-up moment with my friend Hanz, who has been studying abroad. We had a nice time in Lucky Chinatown, where a 500-foot wooden dragon art installation (for the year of the wooden dragon of course) was created by local Chinoy artist, Leeroy New. It was an interesting mix of Chinese and Filipino art that neatly contextualize Chinatown's culture and its people.

Had lunch at Golden Noodle House at Lucky Chiantown. Thankfully it wasn't crowded because lines were insane everywhere.

My friend Phoebe was also in her royal hanfu - complete with hair and accessories!! -- Now you see why I need to be fab, because my friends are fab too!!

Saw this nice lantern with fake autumn leaves.

Leeroy New's giant dragon artwork.

- Hanz and I also took time to go around Chinatown, which obviously is so close to our hearts. We stopped by Apologue, Binondo's newest cafe (across Masuki along Benavidez Street). What I like about it is that its food, drinks, and ambience were well-thought tributes to Binondo but without Chinese food. (I love Chinese food in Binondo, but I also appreciate a breather from Chinese food.)

Apologue the best.

Saw these guys at the Binondo Plaza.

I have finally been converted. I swore that I wouldn't buy any of these stupid duck hair pins, but here I am. I even got three (3 for 100). They actually look cute though.

- I ended the day with seeing more amazing friends at Lucky before calling it a day. Some people took photos of me and my friend Ana, who was also in her stunning hanfu. -- A running gag over the years of me celebrating Chinese New Year in Binondo was that people would often want to have photos taken of or with me because of what I wear. I thought I was about to end the day without random people doing that. Boy, was I wrong. (I appreciate the photos, by the way, especially when people ask nicely!)

Ash, Ana, and I were all in matching colors.

I am loving Ana's hanfu so much!

We have fans. HAHA. (Well OK, both senses of the word.)

My theater kiddos and our ducks.

0.5 selfie!

Hello Jane and Hazel!

- I didn't think I would have fun during this year's CNY. I'm actually not "allowed" to celebrate it yet because my mom passed away a few months back. That's also the reason why I wasn't wearing anything red, the staple color of any Chinese celebration - I still couldn't, based on cultural norms. But I guess what I got out of my CNY experience this year was that I have good (and fab!) friends around me who are there for me despite things happening in my life. I guess, that is something I can be thankful for, CNY or not!