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!

A Sunday of Surprises: The Magic of Japan and India

- December 2, 2012, Sunday.

- I had been waiting for this day for weeks, since I bought a ticket to this afternoon's performance of Ballet Philippines' Rama Hari. Rama Hari is one of Philippine theater's attempts in staging India's Ramayana with a bit of Filipino twist in it. (More on that later.) Big people worked behind the play, especially during its original staging in 1981 (i.e. Salvador Bernal, Rolandio Tinio, Ryan Cayabyab, etc.)

- I went to SM Mall of Asia a few hours before going to CCP, since I needed to look for some winter accessories for my trip next week. While passing by the main atrium, I found out that there was a Power Rangers Samurai event today, and there would be a meet and greet at 1pm (more than enough time to catch my 3pm show in nearby CCP.)

- I went around the mall to do my errands, and came back after lunch to meet the Power Rangers. I did not have a meet-and-greet stub, so I just took a photo of them "with me" while the Rangers were on stage posing and demonstrating their "Power Rangers moves."

Kids posing for their mom's camera. Hahahaha. 

AHHHH....CHILDHOOD DREAM!!

- I rode a cab later to CCP, and changed into my Rajasthani kurta to match the "Rama Hari" theme. I walked around CCP until many people were already going in. I sat at the front row of Balcony I Center. However, I was asked to move (possibly to the Orchestra,) by one the ushers, since my position would probably affect/hinder the projector that would flash the English subtitles of the laced-deep-Filipino play. Fortunately, I realized that the one in charge of the projector/subtitles was my friend Tin Cleofas; she kindly told the usher that my seat won't affect the projector, and so I was able to keep my perfectly-positioned seat.

-  Rama Hari was a bit minimalist, with the stage mostly colored and dazzled by lights, cloth-as-props, and moving props held by the dancers (i.e. trees, poles, etc.) If I would critique the play based on "authenticity," then it would disappoint those like me looking for the "Indianness" in Rama Hari. The play used Mughal-inspired costumes, the Mughal era being India's Islamic era (the era responsible for the Taj Mahal and related structures,) which was not too in-sync with the supposed timeline of the Ramayana. Many movements and some background music were akin to Southeast Asian dance drama (i.e. Malaysian/Southern Philippine techniques, use of the kulintang, use of shadow play/puppet, etc.) Also, this was by far the most condensed form of Ramayana I've ever encountered in my life, even more condense than the Ramayana I staged 5 years ago in high school. The characters were reduced to a mere fraction/decimal, and many parts of the plot were slashed off (this is more understandable though.) Still, the main story/idea of Ramayana could still be understood.

- Despite all these, Rama Hari was one amazing production, and literally brought tears to my eyes. I am currently shrugging off my "authenticity rule" in critiquing whichever performance, and applauding Rama Hari for its simplicity and easy-to-understand performance. I also commend the very unusual technique of executing the play. All the characters were split into two forms: a singer who provided the narratives and dialogues, and of course, who sang, and a dancer who provided movement and dramatization to the singer's voice. The show I watched featured OJ Mariano and Kalila Aguilos as Rama and Sita (alternates to main Rama and Sita, Christian Bautista and Karylle,) with dancers Richardson Yadao and Katherine Trofeo providing movement for Rama and Sita.

- The best surprise of the afternoon was when Tin gave me the heads up that the cast of Rama Hari would be showing up at the lobby for a meet and greet. After she told me this, I ran to the lobby, and moments later, everyone from the production marched regally to the lobby, as everyone applauded them for their performance. On top of this, OJ, Kalila, Richardson, and Katherine sat down for an autograph session for those who bought the Rama Hari playbill (I am still so glad I bought mine before the play started!!) The other dancers and some performers also stayed to have their photos taken with friends, family, and fans.

- I don't normally like to get tired on Sundays, but today's events turned out a thousandfold better than expected. More importantly, I hope that more "cultural" plays like Rama Hari will be staged in the Philippines. I'm nuts for plays that showcase different cultures; in this case, theater is used as a medium of alternative education. Most of all, I miss theater, being on stage or backstage, I really miss the world of theater, even just amateur theater. :) :) :) :)

Hi Tin!!

Why hello Rama Hari cast!!

Autograph signing.

YAY!! My costume "didn't go to waste." HAHAHAHA.

She was Soorphanaka's dancer form. Too awesome. Haha.