Reliving The Kid Within--Cristine Belen's Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang

I was very fortunate to be asked by my friend to attend a stage play last May 29, 2012 3pm at PETA, No. 5 New Manila, Quezon City. This was my second time to watch a stage play courtesy of PETA (Well, the first one  was 3 Stars and a Sun) but the excitement and the heart pounding was still there. This is PETA, home of the greatest artists you should know. 

How adorable was it to have a mini stage within PETA.

We were given to tickets to get to see Cristine Belen's Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang. I remember Lola Basyang when I was young and having a sight of her children's stories again is like giving a chance to relive the kid within me. Before the show started, i am imagining who could be the Lola Basyang. I was thinking about Gloria Diaz and Chichay that time. :)

Lola Basyang's rocking chair is one of the trademark of the Filipino's Story Telling place where children would gather around their lolo's or lola's attentively listening with eyes sparkling with amazement. As the stories go, Filipino children utilize their imagination,which is somehow should be instill again to our generation today.

There were lots of kids and kids at heart who were very eager to see the show and all of them knew have to behave well. The ushers were very helpful of our inquiries and mindful of what they were doing. every staff were calm and nice to us.

It is so nice to see families patiently waiting for their turn to enter the theater

Before I went in I was picturing of what the setting of the stage would be and to my amazement, they were only one rocking chair and three boxes on the stage. I kept wondering why they only have 4 things on the stage. It was really a mind boggling moment. 

The other side of the theater where you can see how sublime the rocking chair of Lola Basyang in the midst of  eager children and children at heart.

When everybody found a seat,and settled down comfortable, the lights where dimmed and the Our National Anthem was sang with a sign language interpreter in front left side of the stage. That was quite moving for me seeing a sign language interpreter for the sake of our special kids.

The sign language interpreter patiently waiting for the signs to start helping kids to understand the National Anthem. 

Then the lights went all out. the back door opened and stage actors came with some sorts of cut out pattern with their cellphone flashlights on them. Oh, they were like shadow puppets! I loved the idea! Shadows for story telling was what my mom used to do when we were children back then during the frequent blackouts nationwide

the flying book shadow in the midst of darkness

.

and there was Lola Basyang with her lampara

Lola Basyang introduced herself and slowly and sweetly and in the most delightful way, she told the audience what are the ethics or rules when you are watching a stage play. Her book was a alive! It seemed that it may want to flying or something but the made me giggle as an adult because it means that the stories will start so i must behave and watch attentively.

Actors in unison. If you would hear them, you will be mesmerized.

Interpreter for each character. This should be a mandatory in every children's theater acts. I love it!

 

 The Stage Play was consist of two stories. The first one was  "Ang Prisipeng May Mahabang Ilong which tells us not to judge anybody or worse bully others because that is hurtful and unkind. It also tells us the love can be found anywhere to anyone regardless of the status of life or how do you look like. Then helping others is a good deed no matter how bad the persons are, if you can help extend your arms to them. I won't tell how the story went because I really want you to watch it. You should watch this... It would be fun. I guarantee you will be happy.

Lola Basyang checking out if the children were really listening well. Should he bite the cat's tail? for you to find out!

The prince with that long nose was still handsome. When you thought it was about Pinocchio... Think again! 

Can you see who's ugly in this picture? Nobody for sure! that smile is so gorgeous in spite of the bark skin like she has. 

The taunting characters making fun of the others. 

This is adorable! They let the kids participate and help  to pull Bungal and Duling from the quicksand.

When love conquers All! Can you see now the difference?

The second story is "Ang Binibining Tumalo sa Mahal na Datu" In this story, it tells us the love conquers all. Love can be found anywhere and to anyone who is willing to love and be loved and this love is enough for the young lady to fight and to be put in three tests of the king before she lose her head off. Did she lose her head? I wont tell! Really,  you must watch this!

May FOREVER sa pag ukit ng puso and pangalan sa punong hindi pa napuputol ng illegal loggers.

What??? How could you cook 12 dish from that poor PITPIT bird?

Another crazy test! Could you return the sheep alive with the payment from it???

That face of the king is priceless! Can you guest why? 

With all those laughs and confusion, this simple stage play unleashed the kid within me. The kid i am missing all this time is just a book away from this play. The book of Lola Basyang still having plenty of blank pages to filled with such value oriented stories that our imaginations knows no boundaries. I hope to see more of Lola Basyang's stories  here at PETA in the future.

I love this picture of Lola Basyang with the background of the world with children on it. Somehow it tells me everybody has a kid within to relive... the kid we often forget because we have grown up so fast.

--Rissa