Tuesday, January 23, 2007 Espina: ASEAN spouses’ la-ag By Mila C. Espina in my diary
ONE of the best parts of the Asean spouses program was the la-ag, a cultural journey, a musical diorama giving glimpses of our history, delineating how the Spanish, American and Chinese influences were immersed in our lifestyle. “Impressive, the dancing women, the costumes and choreography were all superb!” said the Indonesian Minister’s spouse who spoke good English. The First Gentleman, Mike Arroyo, over-all chair of the Spouses program, turned teary-eyed when he saw the smiling people, waving and cheering, all throughout the la-ag. Cebu City’s First Lady Margot Osmeña, awed by the synergy of all the activities, sighed, “It’s a miracle. Sto. Niño was with us all the way! The sun shone just when the children started to perform.”
I had the pleasure of annotating bus 2 (where the Foreign Ministers’ spouses and other delegates plus USEC Frank and Tina Benedicto, Rosie Lovely Romulo, Paz Radaza, and Tina Sitoy rode) and was witness to the visitors’ amazement. (Colleagues Alice Queblatin, Millette Dejaresco, Batch Hernandez and Val Alonzo were in buses 1 and 3 and the media van, respectively.)
The ASEAN Friendship Garden (at the Family Park) was the best tribute to the Asean’s theme of unity, a caring and sharing community. The unveiling of the Asean Grove and the watering of the sampaguita, our national flower, were for the spouses “something new and lasting.”
But the fun-filled experience started with the musical diorama. The Cebu Provincial Capitol was the setting of the ‘turn-of-the century’ display, featuring the Compostela dancers doing theBirhinia (influenced by the Virginia Reel, the old-time square dance). Costumes were all ivory and white, women wearing Edwardian-style gowns, while men wore three-piece suits with bowler hats, designed by Philip Rodriguez and Protacio Empaces. The music, paseo dance and vintage cars, (Cadillac and Chevrolet) completed the ambiance. “Unbelievable!” quipped one delegate.
The rock n’ roll era at the Fuente Circle Family Park was a hit. The delegates inside bus 2 sang and swayed while they endlessly applauded the children from Cebu Dancesport and students from Abellana National School, University of San Jose - Recoletos, and University of Cebu doing, the boogie-woogie. They saw a simulated family picnic and stage shows, cum magicians, skaters, acrobats, ice cream vendors and promenaders.
Then, the delegates had a view of the Festival Island, Cebu Province being the home of our fiestas and heritage. In colorful dances delineating good harvest, environment, preservation of marine resources, thanksgiving and country fellowship, the Northern and Southern Cebu performers delighted the viewers with creative choreography and costumes. We had to answer so many interesting questions from the spouses. Most acclaimed was the Siloy (Alcoy) presentation which ritualized the Black Shama, the endemic, endangered species known for its melodious voice.
The enthusiasm heightened at the old chinatown, magnificently incentivized by Cebu’s Fil-Chinese community, where the dragon, lion, fan and flower dances were performed by leading schools. Cebu is proud of its Chinese roots, (about 20% of our population). The la-ag passed Colon, the oldest street of the Philippines; the Tabo Sa Banay and the downtown business circuits; then, we were met by smiling churchgoers of the Basilica de Sto. Niño; the spouses understood our devotion to the Sto. Niño. As we reached the Magellan’s Cross, the spouses learned about the symbolic Cross of Christianization planted by Magellan, the conversion and baptism of King Humabon and Queen Juana, as well as the religious and cultural significance of the Sinulog. Touched by the passion of the old women and children doing the traditional and stylized versions of the Sinulog, the delegates found themselves chanting Pit Senyor inside the bus. I couldn’t believe it! How fulfilling!
On our way back to the Capitol for the luncheon hosted by Gov. Gwen Garcia and Mandaue Mayor Ted and Linda Ouano, the spouses did not look a bit tired. They joined us in singing the chorus of Mabuhi, a musical composition by Paul Melendez and sang all throughout the event. The fashion show glittered as models paraded with beautiful gowns and accessories. Lunch was perfect, thanks to Laguna Garden. Accolades are due to Junjet Primor and Cebu’s leading choreographers for the glorious impact of the la-ag; to over-all chair, USEC Francisco Benedicto; Co-Chair, Cebu City First Lady Margot Osmeña; Paz Radoza, First Lady, Lapu-lapu City; Linda Ouano, First Lady, Mandaue; Tina Sitoy, First Lady of Cordova, Committee members Marisa Fernan, Elvira Luym, Dawnie Roa, Petite Garcia, Lita Urbina, Teresin Mendezona, Philip Rodriguez and all the staff. Kudos to First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, Chief of Staff Juris Umali and the PSG, DFA (Tes, especially) for their constant guidance.
My next article features the Malacañang Sa Sugbu and the CICC Grand Opening.
