I still can’t get over of
the thrill injected by the ‘Sayaw’ show into my mind. The thrill and the
thrill, it has been the epitome of Mindanaoan dances that make it distinct in
comparison to the rest of the world’s other cultural dances. I am always seeing
it. It is like a cliché. I have been used to this for how many times already;
last school year during the Gabi ng Sining 2012; just this year’s first season
of the school year (Gabi ng Sining 2013); and during the 53rd Araw
ng Iligan this year when Kalimulan presented at Iligan City public plaza.
The thrill or shall we
say, the cliché that I am but repeatedly consciously exposed. The cliché that
made me scream though, in any of their performances. Nonetheless, they never
failed to amaze me. It even made me shout for the most part. Their dances never
failed to capture my heart. The’
sayaw’ somehow moved me from my seat, really, and now, I will narrate the story
behind the judgments and appreciation that have given to them after witnessing
the said performance.
It was on or about 4:00
pm of August 14, 2013 when my literature class was dismissed by a colleague of
our teacher; we have been through an exam for 30 minutes and yes, we finished
it very quickly. We are all excited for the ‘sayaw’ show indeed. We thank God
because there are no more lessons that were discussed. I thanked my teacher for
not being there and being absent on that day. And now we are happy. Happy but
not fixed with our destination yet. We know that we will be at the Gymnasium by
6 pm but for "God's love tender love and compassion'? Where would we stay?
Now, that was our problem. We have nothing to do that time. I mean nothing to do
that would make us happy and to enjoy ourselves. So, we have decided to play a
game. I do not really know what is the title of the game, but, all I know is
that it has something to do or relatedness with the 'the conjuring show'.
1st Clap, 2nd Clap, 3rd Clap, well, those were the words, and hush,
hush IAN 'I caught you', that was fun and exciting really. Then, I suddenly
realized that my stomach is now craving for food to be digested. I’m now
thirsty and hungry. I had the freaking jealousy when some of my classmates are
now quitting the game and decided to eat their dinner at the nearby restaurant
and fast food chains. “And God?” where will I be now? I’m very exhausted
already and can’t bear it anymore. I have no extra money. I needed to go home
at that time. I am lousy and awful that time because, as what I have said, I am
exhausted already. So, without any further ado, I went home. Yes, without any
hesitation. The creatures inside my stomach were, in that time, dreadfully
hungry as well. I went home and planned to be back after the supper, I must be
going back after I eat.
Minutes have passed and I came with jackets covering my helpless
body in the campus; a body that seeks for warmth because of the humid
temperature that night. I am racing with my breath. Breathe in, breath out;
that was a rhythm though.
Eventually, I came late, and the song that I have heard sung by
the buhanginan voices was the Cebuano song, ‘Didto sa akong lagkaw’. I’m still
right at the bleachers, having my way near to the CON place during assemblies.
The people there are still not properly disposed. They are still noisy. It
seems like they are just forced to watch the show. Now, you might wonder to
whom I am with, during the show, well, as usual, I am with my classmates. They
texted me where they were sitting while I am still at home eating my very
delicious dinner. Everything is delicious for a hungry man, just so you know.
I’m sitting with faith and Reiji that night. We were all together
in shouting because of the stunning movements by the performers. We even
shouted more when the scene is almost laughable because of some mistakes that
are really clear and cannot be disguised only with their smiles. I also
supported faith in giving bashes and more shouts to one of the performers she
is loathing to. Faith was firm and shouted ‘Dah, gabaan, sayup lage’, then, we
all laughed as Farzeah and my other classmates looked back at us wondering for
what shout was that. A shout with feelings it must be.
I saw as well one
of my colleagues in a press club, ate July Hermodo dancing. She is actually an
alumna of the institution. Maybe she is just invited to join so because they
lacked members. Then, I remember it was also the anniversary of Kalimulan. The
Kalimulan by the way is the Cultural Dance Troupe of Mindanao State University-
Iligan Institute of Technology.
As what I have said, nothing more and nothing
less is what I saw again in their performance. ‘World-Class’ maybe, but all I
can say is that it will be if they will practice more and soon perform the very
perfect show, and that would make them really a world-renowned dance troupe.
With
their performance, I can really say that truly, Mindanao Culture is both rich
and varied – A true mirror of the people of which it is the expression.
The
show indeed explained more about ethnic dances as part of the Tri-peoples
culture, the Christian, Muslim and Lumad. They have shown not only the Artistic
Ingenuity of the natives, but also their beliefs, traditions and how they are
doing their lives.
Kudos
to Prof. Christian T.N.
Aguado, a cultural anthropologist headed as founder and
organizer of the Dance Troupe and might as well to the ever awesome MSU-IIT Kalimulan
Cultural Dance Troupe.
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