Guest post by Kuya Manzano
I want to share with you my experience of watching the ballet Rama Hari at the Metropolitan Theater in the Philippines. It was a spectacular show that featured the great talents of Arman Ferrer, Audie Gemora, Karylle Tatlonhari, Poppert Bernadas, and many others. They brought to life the epic story of Rama and Sita with grace, passion, and skill.
The choreography by Alice Reyes was stunning and captivating. The dancers moved with fluidity and harmony, creating beautiful scenes and emotions. The music was also amazing, with the singers delivering powerful and expressive performances. The orchestra, including very talented Mara Guevara on the violin, played with precision and elegance. Mara is also a piano soloist, and I want to thank her for giving me the tickets to this wonderful show.
The production was sponsored by the government and involved many national artists collaborating. The Metropolitan Theater is a beautiful venue that showcases the rich culture and history of the Philippines. The costumes, sets, lighting and sound were all well-designed and executed. The only minor flaw was a typo in the program that labeled both acts as act 1. It was a bit confusing, but it did not affect the enjoyment of the show.
The only thing that I wish I could have understood better was the language. The ballet was in Filipino, which I do not speak. I tried to follow the story through the gestures and expressions of the dancers, but I missed some of the nuances and details. My companions also had some difficulty understanding the diction of the singers, which made it hard to catch some of the lyrics. However, this did not diminish our appreciation of the artistry and talent of the performers.
I wish the Metropolitan Theater house rules announcements were updated. They were still asking people to wear masks like in the lockdown times. This is important for fear spreading to stop and for people to go more to theaters and have a normal life.
Overall, I highly recommend watching Rama Hari if you have the chance. It is a strong production that celebrates the Filipino culture and heritage. It is also a testament to the dedication and collaboration of the cast and crew who made it possible. Congratulations to everyone involved in this magnificent show!
