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Monday, January 17, 2005
Musings on Pasko sa Gensan '04
By Edgar Dignadice Cadiente
IS THERE really a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? For us behind the Pasko sa Gensan '04, the entire Technical Working Group, and the many who believed in the pure intentions of the event, there certainly is. Not maybe the shimmering metals and iridescent stones, but a sweet tale of glory and fulfillment, which no amount of gold can substitute.
Pasko sa Gensan 2004 journeyed through a stormy ocean but managed to reach the horizon where the rainbow radiantly lies.
Radiant. That's how Pasko sa Gensan 'o4 was from the time it opened on December 1, the first day of the Christmas season. The key was right.
Timing was perfect. For ten days after the launching, there was pure glee and unadulterated fun in the city air: our event icon - the proverbial rainbow - was aglow night and day from above the city hall roof; the giant Christmas tree was afire, symbolically exuding light of hope; trees at Carlos P. Gracia Park dramatically transformed the park vista at night time; Paskuhan Village II: Kalingawan sa Baybayon - a novel delight and one among the many firsts in the city's festivals - was teeming nightly with people relishing in the frolic, spirit, and ambience that blended the night breeze; lights and color at Paskuhan Village I: Kalingawan sa Plaza, started to sparkle as the opening of December 15 approached.
The festivity unraveled and was on fifth gear. Event coordinators became restless if only to make sure assigned events would be flawlessly staged. Follow-up calls and meetings became incessant; technical and logistical arrangements were constantly checked if only to ensure no technical impediments would arise. And yes, sleeplessness became a nightly regimen. Yet, spirits were high and energy was on octave note.
Until the unfortunate incident in the afternoon of December 12 at the Central Public Market - which claimed fourteen lives, wounded many, ravaged livelihood and properties - spoiled, to say the least, the ongoing Pasko sa Gensan spree. But like a strong bamboo grass after being swept by strong winds, the event remained standing, and proud. As was pronounced in our official statement, "we can bounce back... activities [will still] continue and [goes on] as designed... There is rainbow after the storm, so our theme says.
We must not lose grip of our hope. Good triumphs over evil..." And so activities continued, but with the expected snags, courtesy of the blast. For instance, some scheduled programs for Village II withdrew; establishments ready to set up their booths at Village I backed out; for three succeeding nights, audience ebbed to almost 80%; gone was the multitude of "Generals" that crowded the two villages for ten nights. Whereupon, the night before the bombing, the two venues had the most number of people, only a handful brave souls sauntered along the beach on the eve of the explosion. As though sympathizing, the sky swathed the city with an overcast mood that evening. Gloom took over, but only for a while.
Yes, only for a while, a very little while in fact, because the first night after the bombing, "Kalingawan sa Baybayon" continued on. Members of GSC Employees Dance Troupe and GSC Employees Choir were the very first Generals who exemplified that bold Gensanian spirit. Through it all, they danced and sang and entertained the few audience who, like them, did not retreat in fear to the recessed sections of their rooms. When the choir breathed life to the melody "Go Gensan, Go", they were singing for the glory of the City that should never be tarnished. Was it an emotional moment? Tears that welled down the faces could perhaps tell the story. The "kinang" and the "kutitap" of the "kawanis" that night was a magnificent tale altogether.
Equally remarkable are the gallant performers of the succeeding nights; Likas Teatro and Alegro Chorale of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas College; Department of Education Dance Troupe; SK Federation Acoustic Night; SK Calumpang Band Showcase; New Groove Band; DXGS Radio Talents; and the City Officials led by the Honorable City Mayor Pedro B. Acharon, Jr., who showcased their talents in dancing and singing in its raw and unpretentious form, if only to tell a message that "Generals" do not easily give in to any odd, as had been proven many a times. And it came to pass, that people started to go out again. Activities at the Village I Oval Plaza went on. ABS-CBN's Sine-sine sa Plaza drew audience as designed and Xmas Bazaar sa Oval continued to lure buyers.
All told and sundry, Pasko sa Gensan 'o4 survived the tribulation and emerged victorious. There was a medley of headaches and setbacks during preparations and during the month-long staging, not to mention the scarce financial resources or otherwise, but "all is well that ends well", and the rainbow after the storm surfaced. The event closed on December 30. As awardees and recipients paraded, it was an overwhelming atmosphere of victory.
And so we tried and triumphed. We share this opus, for the collective dream and the shared pitfalls; for the fruitful debates and wise decisions; for the late nights and early awakenings; for the inspiring bravado and notable reliability; for the sticky sweats and pure labor; for the short tempers and the amazing patience; for all the hearty laugh and pleasant tears; for not letting go and for marching on; for the stirring discoveries and enriching realizations; for the colors of life shared and the hues of experiences imprinted; for the journey that has ended and for more voyages ahead; for the raging storm and the unfading rainbow.
To those who journeyed with us through the storm, we share this overflowing pot of gold.
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