Mural inside the UPLB auditorium. |
I just came back from three tiring but worthwhile performances at the beautiful campus of the University of the Philippines at Los Banos (UPLB). So far, this was definitely the most memorable performances for me on this tour. I met a plethora of extremely intelligent and amiable students from UPLB, some of whom performed during our welcoming ceremony the night before and our performances today, I was able to revisit UPLB, a place close to my family's heart, and I was able to be reunited with many of my family's friends and professors.
My mother, Sonia Rubico-Jamir, had been planning this event for more than a year. She contacted her former advisor at the UPLB Food Science Department, Dr. Priscilla Sanchez, who willingly accepted our request within a week. Since then, my mother had been working so hard for this performance with our coordinator, Dean Maritess Yee of the College of Human Ecology (CHE).
Our first performance began at 11 am and was a free outreach concert for the Los Banos National High School, a local public high school in Los Banos catering to the general population of mostly poor families. According to Dr. Sanchez, this school that was interested in starting their own rondalla but doesn't have the funds yet to buy the instruments. Honesty, it was the most packed auditorium I have ever seen. A total of about 1,500 students attended...and that's only 10% of the total school population! Kids in their uniforms not only filled the seats but also lined the auditorium steps and walls. From where I was standing, it seemed impossible to get one foot through. As a result, for some, it was complete standing room and no place to move!
This free performance was meant to introduce high school students to the rondalla by giving them a snip-bit of our full repertoire. We prepared a 30 minute performance, which included songs, such as "Gaway Gaway," "Pobreng Alindahaw," "70's Movie Medley," "Ewan/Marry You" and "Just Give Me a Reason." You could not imagine how raved and ecstatic they were, especially with 70's, when George had to crawl into the audience to give some lucky girl a rose; and Pink's hit, "Just Give Me a Reason" dedicated to all the lovelorn. Halfway through the performance, all I could hear was a fluctuating shrieking sound, probably from all the girls (and boys) who were obsessed with George's daring move and could not control their emotions.
This free performance was meant to introduce high school students to the rondalla by giving them a snip-bit of our full repertoire. We prepared a 30 minute performance, which included songs, such as "Gaway Gaway," "Pobreng Alindahaw," "70's Movie Medley," "Ewan/Marry You" and "Just Give Me a Reason." You could not imagine how raved and ecstatic they were, especially with 70's, when George had to crawl into the audience to give some lucky girl a rose; and Pink's hit, "Just Give Me a Reason" dedicated to all the lovelorn. Halfway through the performance, all I could hear was a fluctuating shrieking sound, probably from all the girls (and boys) who were obsessed with George's daring move and could not control their emotions.
After the preview performance, the IP Rondalla arranged a "meet and greet" session with the students. We quickly discovered that many of the Rondalla kids had by now become instant celebrities among the teenage viewers. So IP parents had to form an "instant security" and "crowd management system" to control the horde of hysterical IP Rondalla fans as they interacted and took pictures with us. Needless to say, a long line of cheering, shrieking and mesmerized teenagers inched through the stage, some coming back two or three times just to make sure they get to shake the hands, hug, or get their pictures taken with as many IP Rondalla members. Our "15-minutes" of fame stretched to more than an hour as more avid "fans" waited outside the auditorium to get a parting look, hug, or pictures taken with rondalla performers.
UPLB Sindayaw Cultural Group performing a welcome dance for the IP Rondalla at the pre-show reception. They are very talented and energetic performers! Kudos. |
View of the UPLB field from the Dioscoro Umali Auditorium. |
Me, posing a quick picture with my family and Lolo/Lola, Dr. Don Antiporta while happily feasting on fresh buko juice (young coconut meat and juice). |
Rondalla Rocks! cake provided by Vinya Capuno Yan and family for a successful concert. Thank you very much UPLB. |
Thank you so much UP Los Banos. This has truly been a wonderful and unforgettable experience.
Ta-ta for now!
Sierra Jamir
Congratulations Sierra! Great reporting - but made me homesick :(
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