Windmills of your mind

In the past few weeks, we have been treated to a steady downsizing in the prices of oil from the Middle East due to a glut of oil from Arab countries. This was welcome news in a time when oil prices were just continuing to go up and up and driving up inflation around the world. Any decrease or respite in this rise in prices is heartening news to all of us motorists and to large industries that rely on fossil fuel to power their plants especially now as the holidays approach.

According to economists the oversupply of oil could potentially last up until the first quarter of 2019, but here’s hoping it lasts longer. We are heavily dependent on oil here in the Philippines. In fact, the government has blamed our bad inflation this past year on the increase in the price of oil. We are largely dependent on oil unlike some of our Asian neighbors. Even with the influx of other energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal, these are still a drop in the bucket as compared to the amount of oil we use and import from the Middle East.

Hopefully this decrease in oil prices will continue and will begin to have an effect on everything else as well. We all know how much of a reprieve our economy and our citizens need. If the oil trade remains below $55 per barrel it could be a very happy holiday indeed.

I also hope that this entire year has taught us that we need to really explore better and more sustainable energy alternatives. Especially if it is true that our dependence on oil is what caused the massive inflation that made the prices of goods skyrocket. We should no longer keep all our eggs in one basket, so-to-speak, if we can to avoid this happening again down the line if oil prices start to go up again. Besides it’s better for the environment if we can harness better and more ecologically sustainable energy sources. We need to make the right power and energy investments now to create a more sustainable future.

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For lovers of art and culture, theater is alive and well in the Philippines and a diverse group of performing companies are putting on amazing world-class shows. I was excited to see the latest theatrical offering of Atlantis Theatrical this November – the first international staging of the hit Broadway musical “Waitress” with book by Jessie Nelson and music by the incomparable Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles and directed by Bobby Garcia.

The musical is adapted from a movie of the same name by Adrienne Shelly that came out in 2007 and tells the tale of a pregnant and forlorn waitress named Jenna in a loveless and abusive marriage who bakes pies to help distract her from her problems as she dreams of a better life.

The musical is a big hit on Broadway since it opened in 2016 and I think that the reason it resonated with so many is that audience members can relate to the every day troubles and problems facing Jenna and her fellow waitresses and friends at the diner. Whether it’s longing for a better life, trying to find love, worrying about being a parent, or finding contentment at just being “happy enough,” Waitress expertly showcases what it feels like to face every problem and to find the courage to break out and try for something new and better.

Garcia has directed the Manila version of the musical to perfection. International theater star Joanna Ampil leads the fantastic cast of the local production and is a Jenna that is sincere and truthful. You’ll find yourself cheering for her and crying for her when the chips are down, wanting her to find her own happily ever after. She is joined by the powerhouse that is local star Bituin Escalante. Escalante’s powerful vocals and immense soul deliver her standout number to perfection.

And, of course, I am most proud of my son-in-law Nino Alejandro who once again takes to the stage in what could possibly be his most demanding and physical role yet as the geeky and persistent suitor of Jenna’s third waitress friend Dawn. He has proven once again how good a chameleon he can be with excellent comedic timing. He steals every scene he is in, making the audience laugh and cheer for his eccentric Ogie and eventually squeal with delight when he and Dawn finally end up together. Ironically, despite the two of them being the most funny and crazy characters, they actually have the most normal relationship in the show – reminding everyone that there is truly somebody out there for everybody.

In the end, Waitress is a feel-good musical theatertreat that serves laughter, love, and most especially hope. You have one weekend left to catch it at the RCBC Theatre. Call Ticketworld at 8919999 or visit their website www.ticketworld.com.ph for tickets.