Child's play

MANILA, Philippines – Every year, more than 200 children from the Miriam College Child Study Center (CSC) take centerstage in their annual play, held in lieu of a traditional graduation ceremony. The play showcases the talents of the young students as they sing, dance, and act to a delighted audience. Aside from their families, the event is attended by leaders of the Miriam community, including president Dr. Patricia Licuanan.

“Preparation starts as early as May, during the summer,” says Ruby Magsino, the over-all play coordinator. Among the CSC teachers, directors are chosen, and committees are formed to take charge of costumes, props, lighting, and set design – all original designs by the teachers. The play is also written by the CSC teachers. The songs featured their original compositions, making the play a display of the teachers’ talents as well.

Throughout the year, teachers look out for students who show special gifts for singing, dancing, and acting, choosing from them the lead actors for the play. They also make sure, however, that each child in the play – all 200 of them – is given a chance to be in the spotlight, no matter whether they are the main characters, the sidekicks, the trees, diwatas, or flowers. “The shy ones improve a lot,” says Beckie Ticsay, one of the four directors, on how being part of the play brings the children out of their shell. “They are not scared anymore. It really boosts their confidence.”

Rehearsals for the children start in January, but as early as the first days of class, they are taught how to bow and curtsy, in anticipation of the enthusiastic ovation they will receive at the end of the year.

This year’s recently concluded play, Ang Huling Kagubatan, follows the adventures of Andie as he and his best friend Enteng venture into the magical world of the last surviving forest of Reyna Mina in a battle to save his father Don Felipe, a land contractor who profits from the destroyed forests and is being taken over to the dark side by Reyna Lupita.

“We always produce plays that show good values,” says CSC principal Dreena del Mundo. Ang Huling Kagubatan does just that, highlighting the importance of caring for the environment.

The stage of the Marian auditorium was brightly lit with colorful sets and props, but it was the children who completely stole the show. The play went without a hitch, with the main characters shining on stage, in an impressive show of stage presence. The villainess, Reyna Lupita, especially brought the house down. Though there were some numbers where children danced to their own beat or slipped on stage – one child even fell asleep on stage – the kids would wave excitedly to their parents when the lights came on, and run towards the closing curtain when the lights went off. It all only added to the charm of the whole play.

“The parents were very happy with the results,” says Beckie. “They didn’t expect it would turn out so well.”

All of the teachers agree that it is very fulfilling to finally hear the audience applaud at the end of the show. After getting 200 children to put on a full production, the teachers go home confident that the children have learned a lot from the experience.

“They learn to get along with other kids,” says Beckie. “It is something they will never forget.”

Indeed, it is an experience that the children will never forget – ask any former CSC student, and they will surely have fond memories of their CSC play. Patty Pabis remembers fondly that she played a jester in the adaptation of Sleeping Beauty. Now a teacher and play director herself, Patty says, “The play is an avenue for us to bring out the best in the children, not just in their academics, but also through their talents in acting, singing, and dancing.”

The Miriam Child Study Center’s annual production may be child’s play, but the experience and values that they learned will be with them well into their adult lives.