“Ako ang sulat na di mo sinagot (I am the letter that you did not answer)” – Rizal X
Last night I went to see the gala performance of Rizal X. I was invited by the scenic designer of the show, my friend Leeroy New. It was only my second time to watch a show in Palma Hall of UP. My friend mentioned to me a few days ago about inviting me and I just said yes for lack of anything to do. Of course I didn’t even think that the traffic would be horrible on a Friday. I arrived in UP 30 minutes before the show. I realized that the auditorium is not that big compared to when I saw Atang a few months ago. In the lobby I met my friend Leeroy and he introduced me to Joaquin Valdez who is also part of the show. Then I saw my old kababayan Dulaang UP Artistic Director Alexander Cortez. We both hailed from the City of San Pablo, Laguna.
I didn’t know what to expect from the show. I thought it would be like a continuous play with period costumes but then I was thinking, Leeroy is involved so there must be some twist involved. I took my seat and just wanted to settle in after going through a long horrendous traffic.
I have to say that the 2 hours of performance was something that made me really think if I’ve done anything to have my motherland proud. Have I done enough? Have I done what is expected of me as a Filipino. The answer to all the questions may be a big NO.
Rizal X is a combination of 22 vignettes of the life of Rizal, of our motherland, of who we are as a nation all interpreted through dialogues, music, dance and video. The show was directed by Dexter Santos, the same guy behind Orosman and Zafira. It must have been a huge task to bring the show to the stage. He was also behind the concept and choreography.
The music and lyrics was by William Elvin Manzano. He weaved the different genre and made everything now and interesting.
I have to say the scenic design of Leeroy New was beautiful and very effective. The stage was an effective playground for all the performers.
I will not name any performers who I think was good because it was really more of an ensemble with every member playing their role well that made it effective.
Invite your friends, tell Inay and Itay and bring the rest of the family and troop to Dulaang UP for Rizal X and wonder what have you done for your motherland and what must you do.
And yes, I will watch again the 10:00 am performance tomorrow July 24, 2011.
After the show, I realized how the arts in the metropolis are thriving. Cinemalaya is on-going; Care Divas is a commercial success with 69 performances and now Rizal X.
I just wish all of them were in one location so that people can just hop in and out from every performance and really get inspired and ARTified.
“Ako ang sulat na di mo sinagot (I am the letter that you did not answer)” – Rizal X
Last night I went to see the gala performance of Rizal X. I was invited by the scenic designer of the show, my friend Leeroy New. It was only my second time to watch a show in Palma Hall of UP. My friend mentioned to me a few days ago about inviting me and I just said yes for lack of anything to do. Of course I didn’t even think that the traffic would be horrible on a Friday. I arrived in UP 30 minutes before the show. I realized that the auditorium is not that big compared to when I saw Atang a few months ago. In the lobby I met my friend Leeroy and he introduced me to Joaquin Valdez who is also part of the show. Then I saw my old kababayan Dulaang UP Artistic Director Alexander Cortez. We both hailed from the City of San Pablo, Laguna.
I didn’t know what to expect from the show. I thought it would be like a continuous play with period costumes but then I was thinking, Leeroy is involved so there must be some twist involved. I took my seat and just wanted to settle in after going through a long horrendous traffic.
I have to say that the 2 hours of performance was something that made me really think if I’ve done anything to have my motherland proud. Have I done enough? Have I done what is expected of me as a Filipino. The answer to all the questions may be a big NO.
Rizal X is a combination of 22 vignettes of the life of Rizal, of our motherland, of who we are as a nation all interpreted through dialogues, music, dance and video. The show was directed by Dexter Santos, the same guy behind Orosman and Zafira. It must have been a huge task to bring the show to the stage. He was also behind the concept and choreography.
The music and lyrics was by William Elvin Manzano. He weaved the different genre and made everything now and interesting.
I have to say the scenic design of Leeroy New was beautiful and very effective. The stage was an effective playground for all the performers.
I will not name any performers who I think was good because it was really more of an ensemble with every member playing their role well that made it effective.
Invite your friends, tell Inay and Itay and bring the rest of the family and troop to Dulaang UP for Rizal X and wonder what have you done for your motherland and what must you do.
And yes, I will watch again the 10:00 am performance tomorrow July 24, 2011.
After the show, I realized how the arts in the metropolis are thriving. Cinemalaya is on-going; Care Divas is a commercial success with 69 performances and now Rizal X.
I just wish all of them were in one location so that people can just hop in and out from every performance and really get inspired and ARTified.