A Day with the Indian Ambassador: Around Manila And The Clumsy Elephant That Was Me

- December 7, 2012, Friday.

- The National Youth Commission invited us 25 delegates the nights to join a press conference held today at Dusit Thani. Since only two were allowed to go, I volunteered myself to be a participant, and the other being my friend and schoolmate, Rachel Basas.

- The press conference's main topic was about the ASEAN-Indian partnership, particularly the Philippine-Indian bilateral relations. The main VIPs were representatives from the Embassy of India (of course, headed by the ambassador, his excellency Amit Dasgupta,) Department of Foreign Affairs, and the National Youth Commission (headed by USEC Leon Flores, and ASEC Georgina Nava.) The conference held this morning, 11am (errr, we REALLY started around 12 noon,) at the Fiesta San Miguel function room of Dusit Thani.

-  I met Rachel this morning, and had a light breakfast inside Dusit Thani. Since we were there early, we discussed some things regarding the topic for the press con, and took some photos. The clumsy me tripped on the tripod with the sign board that had the press con's name on after taking the photo. The sign board fell, and Rachel and I hurriedly fixed the sign board. At that moment, the ambassador just came up the stairs, and Rachel and I weren't sure if he saw my clumsy scene. (I sure hope he didn't. Hahahaha.)

With Rachel and the tripod/sign board I clumsily tripped on.

Ambassador Amit Dasgupta

ASEC Georgina Nava

Talking to the press.

USEC Leon Flores

With Mr. Vishnu Hathiramani

- The press conference was attended by some media men, such as Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star, and Solar News. After the speeches of the VIPs, I had my 10 minutes of spotlight in the press con, and gave a short background regarding our delegation to the "mother land." The journalist from Expat News/Magazine interviewed me further regarding our delegation.

- Over lunch, Rachel and I were able to talk briefly with the ambassador, and had the opportunity to meet and greet Mr. Vishnu Hathiramani, the editor and publisher of "Namaste," the Philippine-Indian community magazine.

- After lunch, which by the way was a sumptuous Indian buffet, Rachel and I, together with ASEC Nava, were able to hitch a ride with USEC Flores' car to the National Youth Commission.

- In the NYC office, Rachel and I joined the other delegates, and was in time for ASEAN Director Jules Flores' brief orientation and lecture on the ASEAN-India partnership. Ambassador Dasgupta also had some remarks after. I think the most important point, or the highlight of his brief speech, both in the press con and the orientation, was that "India doesn't see the Philippines as a market; it sees the Philippines as a dialogue partner." This shows that there is more to the Phil-Indian relationship other than business or trade, and that is friendship, growth, and development of both nations.

- I left the NYC, after a lengthy meeting, around quarter past 7, tired as hell and carrying a bunch of things (i.e. the heavy press kit from the press con.) Still, a day with the ambassador was definitely an extraordinary experience.

The delegates with Ambassador Dasgupta, and ASEAN Director Jules Flores

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.