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!