That Miss Universe feeling

Two weeks ago, acclaimed film director Chito Roño and world-class choreographer Douglas Nierras were awarded plaques as Outstanding Warays. This was during a gathering among Warays in a Tourism Department project which highlighted the products endemic to Region 8. Waray products were put on display such as buri banig hats and bags famous in Basey, Samar; binagol, (made of grated talyan, from the tuber family of gabi, cooked in coco milk and wrapped in coconut shell) from Dagami, Leyte; "moron" ( made of grated malagkit rice, cocoa and coconut milk and sugar wrapped in banana leaves); and tuba ( coconut sap wine) from Barugo, Leyte, among others.

As we stood on stage, we felt like Miss Universe winners –Chito, getting the Best in National Costume Award, Douglas, runaway winner in the Talent Competition, and I struggled in the Question and Answer portion. It felt good to be among Warays. It felt good to see happy faces, despite having to brave life that Manila offers. I know many of my kabakayanas have come to Manila to seek greener pastures. Some have become successful, others have not. But on such occasion everyone is family. There are the endless kumustahan, and since we speak the same dialect, it doesn’t matter that you come from Barugo, Leyte or Taft, Eastern Samar.

I have gotten all sorts of awards, but it is exhilarating to be recognized among your own "tribe." I hosted the occasion and my Nanay would have been proud as she has always been. Actually, she had wanted to come with me to the Waray affair. But I dissuaded her because I could not assure her of my schedule which was erratic. Nanay would have loved to see the curacha. Curacha is a folk dance indigenous to Waray but city folks have also come to love the dance and I have seen some modernized versions. Curacha is a flirtatious, energetic dance performed during marriage, fiestas, baptisms and school programs. Part of the curacha is like being held hostage as the man embraces the woman from the waist, as if to say she is under his spell and that the woman’s party should offer something for him to let go of her. To gain the woman’s freedom from the man’s embrace, money is offered and this we do by throwing money on the floor or pinning it on the couple’s outfits.

Nanay loves the "curacha" because each time I would visit Borongan, she would organize a small party which is usually held in her beachfront home and we would dance the curacha. Nanay would bring out her precious P20 bills and would throw them away to the dancers. We would play endless curacha music until the wee hours and until each one of us would retire one by one to our rooms.

At the DOTC-Waray gathering mounted by Rep. Bem Noel, basketball players of Waray origins were presented – Rey Evangelista, team captain of Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs; Patrick Fran, point guard of Air 21 Express; Eric Menk, Ginebra King’s power forward; Andy Seigle, also of Ginebra Kings; Jimmy Alapag, point guard of Talk N’ Text and Asi Taulava also of Talk N’ Text.

Many have asked me, what is being a Waray like? And I always say, Warays are tenacious, brave, generous to a fault and fun-loving. They will not run away from a fight, that’s true.

And on my way to Clamshell to attend the gathering, I saw a banner that read, An Waray, and I truly felt I was home.

Is Mishka leaving for good?

Fans of young jazz singer Mishka Adams have been asking if their idol is leaving the music scene for good. Well, yes, Mishka will be away from the local music scene in January next year. But she is leaving for a good reason. Mishka will pursue her studies in jazz music at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music. Yes, it is the same school where award-winning actor Ewan McGregor, Joseph Fiennes and Orlando Bloom studied.

Locally, Mishka has been awarded an Aliw and Awit Awards Best New Female Recording Artist. She has released an album, God Bless the Child, released by indie label Candid Records Philippines.

Twenty one-year-old Mishka has been dubbed "Jamie Cullum in the making" by international jazz magazine Jazzwise while What’s On London quoted her luminous voice as having the "lightness and sensuality of Astrud Gilberto."

Before leaving for London, Mishka will have her first major solo concert at the Music Museum on Dec. 17. She will be backed up by her band the Blue Echoes and "Saxofo." Special guests include Mon David, Cynthia Alexander, saxophonist Tots Tolentino, pianist Elhmir Saison of Affinity Band, Sammy Asuncion of Spy and Pinikpikan, Brandy Aranilla and Noli Aurillo.

For tickets to Mishka’s concert, call 910-9102 or e-mail [email protected]; [email protected]