WORLD PREMIERE: Denim Dress and Denim Sandals

The long wait is over! This afternoon, I got to witness a Dumaguete-based production do a run of Hinilawod on stage and got reminded of our ancestors' sophisticated culture and beliefs. Hinilawod: Tales from the Halawod River happens to be one of the longest epic this world has ever known. Up to now, anthropologist F. Jocano is translating the latter part of this adventure. According to the book seller I spoke with earlier, he's down to Paubari's and Alunsina's last-born, Dumalapdap's tale. The first two sons, Labaw Donggon's and Humadapnon's adventures will be out commercially in approximately 6 months.

For this wonderful occasion, I decided to world premiere a recent purchase from SM Department Store. I didn't take it home the first time I tried it on due to the low neckline which flabbergasted my kikay friends. "Anong bago?!", I remember them say. So I made a comeback the following weekend, tried it again and convinced myself that all we need is lots of safety pins. And love!

Try ko kaya mag-maong?


Inspired by this play's Austronesian setting (and to conceal the valley between Mt. Suzy and Mt. Geno), I decided to throw in my ethnic necklace. Bought this from a Mangyan beadmaker when Dutch missionary/anthropologist/linguist, Antoon Postma, had a lecture in Filipinas Heritage Library in 2005.


Imagine my joy when I found this pair in Celine after buying this denim dress. It was calling my name!
Again, those are NOT French tips. And those bruises? Must be karma for not yet returning my Tita's cuuuute sandals.

The experience began with the usual I'm-running-laaaate race and the uncommon that's-my-seat hassle. What really abated me was hearing Amomboyaw chant the verse in its original form on stage. I ended up grabbing the first vacant seat near me.

Photo opp with the last living Hinilawod chanter, Mr. Romulo Caballero aka Amomboyaw, and Teacher Elsie


This Kodak moment with the lead cast members was brought to you by BlackBlurry™!


Long-haired, "inked" men! They know how to do Filipino Martial Arts, too! Ooooh! Be still, my heart!


Saw the play with my favorite couple, Alvin and Fristine.

Before I call it another eventful and enriching weekend, I'll leave you with this video. The choir performed this heartwarming song twice in the service today. In spite of the pastor's reminder that it pays to be a global citizen at this time, I still feel that we Filipinos have a lot of self-identity to work on before we try to explain ourselves and get our country represented in the global arena. May this song touch your heart and mobilize you to do our part for our own country's rise.

P.S. I donned a grey jacket on top of this dress during the service. Naman!

Aming Diyos
Titik at Musika: Florence Virtudazo

Lahing kayumanggi,
Tayo'y namumukod tangi
May likha ay maykapal
Mahalaga at may dangal

Ngunit sa mundong ito,
Tayo'y litong-lito
At ang lahi mo'y nilimot
Sunud-sunura't puno ng takot

Nagdaan ang panahon
Ibang bansa'y nagtatanong
"Sigla ng iyong nakaraan
Muli kayang makakamtan?"

Natutong magpakumbaba,
Hinanap ang iyong mukha
Kami iyong pinakinggan
Pag-asa ang nasilayan

Dumating ang panahon
Binigyan ng pagkakataon
Aming buhay aming lahi'y ibangon
Sa'ming pagluhod ikaw ang tugon

Pagsamba at papuri
Ika'y tapat at napakabuti
Sa'ming buhay at aming lahi
Ika'y nanatili, aming Diyos