*(1) The Show

I sat there at one of the bleachers in the gymnasium waiting for the show to start. The place was dim. Only few lights were lit. I watched as a video was playing in front, something like a trailer about the show, maybe. It showed different types of people performing their own traditional dances. Somehow, it made the excitement in me raised.

It was my first time seeing them performs in my naked eyes. I've heard many positive feedback about them that it made my expectations to them raised so high. 

Lumads dancing in the stage

photo credits: Wilven Pinili, Ronald Salazar

The show was about the tri-people here in Mindanao living together. It showed the tales of love, folk legends, the conflicts of tradition and modernity, the concern for the environment, and the comic follies of the folks here in Mindanao. How every man in each kind protects and treasures their women.Through dancing, their entertaining and colorful stories were displayed. It was a one powerful performance.

It never fails to amaze whenever I can see some of them running back to the stage to perform again and again. But despite all of the running they made, the sweat that flows in their faces, you can still see their wide smiles. Smiles that made me also smile while watching them. They indeed are giving me an outstanding show. I love every part of it specially the “Pilimon” part. They’re not just good at dancing, but as well as in acting.

When the show comes to its end, when they were waving their goodbyes to the audience, I can see the happiness in their faces. They had succeeded in sharing the Mindanao cultures over the country and into the world.

BE PROUD TO BE HERE in MINDANAO :)