Breaking out at New Manila
I went to the new PETA center at New Manila last August 25 expecting nothing more than a tour, a play and great company (with bloggers of course - SIPSIP). I think a good percentage of the bloggers who attended expected the same thing - except maybe Chris Lagman (who already finished a short course with PETA). Ms. Cecilia B. Garrucho (PETA President) welcomed us and started to show us around.
Everything looked laid back - we were just going around the center - until we were asked to sing an Ifugao song coupled with instruments. I started to think that we were in for something more. What in the world were we getting ourselves into?
Bloggers singing. Someone should have recorded the whole thing. I don't know if it's funny though. :)
We actually went through the song ten times (that's what it felt like at least). Jeff and I racked our heads - what was the lyrics again? I totally felt off key and I thought I ruled the karaoke. Tsk. I couldn't remember for my sanity the tune while I was trying to sing it. Now, it's playing over and over inside my head. Argh! I didn't know we had folk songs with catchy tunes.
The library and roof deck
As we proceeded to the library, we were greeted with a couple of actors presenting a short thinggamajig, maybe a skit (they actually looked like cosplayers). That wasn't surprising since the group was welcomed by someone dressed as a fairy at the start of the tour. The library houses tons of scripts and other materials - let's hope they get enough money to put these materials online. If you're interested to browse PETA materials, the library is open from 10 AM to 6 PM. After showing us the multipurpose roof deck, we were then led to a classroom (more of a dance studio actually). I heard we were going to do some "exercises" to bring out our creativity. I did a little theater eons ago and I knew something fishy was up.
Out of our comfort zones. (Dapat pala naglagay ako ng foot powder)
In a circle, we were asked to think of a gesture we use everyday and make that gesture a little bigger, more exaggerated as we went along. Some combed their hair with their hand, some waved, others crossed their arms. After that, we were asked to move or (if you're gutsy) dance around the room in varying levels. Some creeped on the floor, some jumped, others simply walked - like me. Hah.
Kamon, beybeh, BIGGER!
Good thing Gibbs Cadiz, who coerced me and a few other bloggers to attend this event, did not post photos of this exercise where we pretended to strike a pose with each sound of the drum. For each pose, we had to channel a different character. The whole thing was so lightning fast, I only thought of two characters - Ronald Mcdonald and Betty Boop. My brain needs a proper workout.
Pose!
BUT WAIT - there's more! When we entered the classroom, there were a bunch of costumes laid out on two tables. I wondered why they were neatly arranged - I thought it was just a theater thing. The costumes were actually there for us. We were asked to pick one (I was supposed to get the butterfly wings but quickly reprimanded myself). Divided into two groups each one forming a tableau, each member had to be connected with each other in any manner possible (e.g. buttcheek to buttcheek). Of course, you have to internalize your character. I wore a floral hat - a wise decision if you want to be devoid of personality.
L: Sino ang may pinakamalaswang posisyon? R: Group 2 tableau
We were then led to another room where Ms. Garrucho talked about PETA with a powerpoint presentation followed by a tour around the theater itself including the backstage area (We didn't see nuthin').
L: Bloggers listening attentively R: The backstage area
As we were sitting quietly in front of the stage, our facilitators showered us with kindness by letting us perform the little stint we did earlier on stage. 
Our fifteen minutes of fame.
But seriously, I didn't feel like I was embarrassing myself - I was actually having fun. If I knew this was coming up, I would have worn a more comfortable set of clothes so I could jump and dive as I wished. Of course, the experience won't be complete until you watch a stage play. So, at about 3 PM, we shuffled inside the theater to watch Batang Rizal. There were lots of kids (aged 4 and up?) and looks like they enjoyed all the dancing, singing, the "effects" used when they time traveled, the costumes with screaming colors and how well the characters were played. It was fun watching the play - not just because of the political undertones but also how human the Rizal we all venerated looked.Too bad the "tour" A.K.A. "the complete theater experience" was just for an hour. Still, it was altogether an exciting and a different experience that should be tried out at least once.
Thank you -
Pinoycentric for sponsoring the bloggers edition of the tour
Gibbs Cadiz and Karla for organizing the event
and PETA for bringing out our wild side
LINK RABU-RABU (Bloggers who attended the event): Arpee Lazaro, Martin Malabanan, Kai Nicolas, Jun Somoza, Diego Maranan, Melissa Rosello, Carla Mejia, Benj Espina, Cielo, Jeff Villafranca, Joe, Coy Caballes, Chris Lagman
Blog posts by other bloggers:
Teatro by Coy (Video)
Pepe goes back to the Future! by Jeff
I want to be an actress by Carla
PETA Tour by Diego Maranan
I got duped by Gibbs! by Benj
You can read Pinoycentric's entry about it HERE.
Photos by Gibbs Cadiz and Poytee.
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