Past, present and future

I’m down to my last few weeks of school before school year 2006-2007 comes to a close. Apart from the usual jellybean tank of school requirements, group reports, et al, my theatrical sun is finally poised to set as I take a longer-than-long sabbatical from the performance side of theater. After three arduous months of rehearsals and technical rehearsals, High School Musical performed its final show last March 4, and I my last show, probably of my entire life until a midlife crisis thrusts me again into the wonderful world of theater. Emotions were crystallized into tears as a chapter of my life reached its timely expiration on that Sunday. My last microphone check, my last costume change, my last company call, my last vocalization, my last warm-up. These little things have become so ingrained within my two years of performing onstage that their absence, post-theater, is tantamount to not having my daily dose of Sonja’s Cupcakes, or giving my new dog Zodiac a treat, or logging onto Multiply to comment on my friends’ posts as these have all become supplements to my everyday routine. It will definitely take some time for me to get used to all these changes. Nevertheless, I look forward to the quiet afternoons and reconnecting with the many aspects of my life that have been neglected because of my theatrical endeavors.

Thank you one and all for making my musical sojourn every bit the rollercoaster ride that it has been. To Tita Joy, Liesl, and Tita Baby for being my inspirations and for giving me the opportunity to perform alongside all the magnificent veterans of the theater world; to all the other directors I’ve worked with before; to my co-actors; to the crew; and to all the whimsical friends I’ve met and shared blood, sweat and tears with… thank you, thank you, thank you a million times over. ‘Til then, it’s "producer before senator," like a friend of mine would put it.

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Amid the deluge of academic things to do, I received a text from my mom’s secretary last week regarding an awarding ceremony that I had to attend at Malacañang Palace. As it turns out, my mother was being granted the Humanitarian of the Year award for her socio-civic accomplishments, namely her advocacy for women and children. Having been M.I.A. from most of our family functions of late, of course I had to be there. Another awardee was Tita Josie Natori who was going to be given the Lakandula award for her outstanding achievements in the fashion industry. Poised, elegant, and a cut above the rest, I couldn’t imagine anyone more deserving than she to receive that award. Unfortunately, that Wednesday was going to be a hell day for me in school since I had a history exam on the Japanese occupation and post-War years. Thus, along with Cam and my literary companion History of the Filipino People by Agoncillo, I sacrificed some precious sleep and in-focus cramming in order to bear witness to that morning’s festivities.

Prior to the awarding ceremony itself, Cam and I went camera crazy in the Hall of Presidents right before the auditorium in which the ceremonies were bound to commence. Displayed on the walls were paintings of 14 men and women who have all served as champions of our democracy at various points in history: Aguinaldo, Quezon, Laurel, Osmena, Roxas, Quirino, Magsaysay, Garcia, Macapagal, Marcos, Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, Arroyo — their artistic representations radiated an aura of greatness within the Malacanang’s hallowed halls. However, these paintings represented more than figures in our history. Beyond figurative lights and shadows, triumphs and failures, deaths and new beginnings, these were men and women who helped shape the country into the Philippines that we know today. It was thus fortunate that I had been cramming in a few chapters of Agoncillo on the presidents of the 3rd Republic before coming face-to-face with these figures of my Filipino past. Having some judicious idea of the Puppet Republic, the Filipino-First Policy, the Parity rights, Batas Militar and other interludes from our makeshift Republic lent some vividness to the often-dry orchestrations from the many history books of our time. More than aesthetic value, the paintings became relics and reminders that elucidated my Filipino past — contributing a great deal to my constantly evolving Filipino present.

Cam and I took some photos and moved into the hall where the awarding ceremony was going to take place. Thereafter, my mother received the Humanitarian Award for 2007 and Tita Josie, the Lakandula Award for her achievements in the world of fashion as respectfully imparted by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself in front of scores of women. Eves and Imeldas gathered together in that one great hall to celebrate the distinction and greatness of females in society. From past to present, I witnessed two women in my life being recognized for accomplishments that perhaps started out as silly fantasies or products of wishful thinking. And having previously viewed the paintings of all 14 presidents, I bore witness to 14 men and women who were once housewives, military sergeants, lawyers, college students, and one even known colloquially as the "poor boy from Lubao." I saw the greatness that had sprung forth from the grassroots. And all it took was some hearty determination, and the wheels of a dream.

From past to future, I find myself in the present with so many different paths to take. My adventures in theater have surely helped shape me into the person that I am today — lively, animated, outgoing, and humbled in so many facets of my existence. It shall not be forgotten. And as the lucid possibilities of entrepreneurship, producing, public service, writing, and life post-college linger at my side, I arm myself with my sterling weapons-of-choice: youth and a willingness to learn and constantly engage myself with the rest of society. After all, greatness has to start from somewhere. Why not start small? The chase begins.