Can you spell P-R-O-P-O-S-A-L?
MANILA, Philippines - One of the things that makes The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee such an enjoyable play to watch is that no two shows are ever the same. The Bee invites audience members to be guest spellers on stage, which makes each show a unique and special experience.
This was doubly true on the night of July 4, where at the end of the show, the audience was treated to yet another heartwarming spectacle: an honest-to-goodness, real-life marriage proposal, right there on stage.
Guest speller Sherilyn Siy, who had been eliminated in the earlier round of the Bee, was called back on stage by the show’s hosts, Rona Lisa Peretti, whom I play, and Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Joel Trinidad). Due to a “technicality,” Siy was given a second chance to spell another word, to be given by a guest word pronouncer — who turned out to be her boyfriend, Charles McJilton.
Picking up the microphone, McJilton said solemnly, “Your word is: ‘Marry.’”
A speechless Siy stood smiling and teary-eyed as the audience cheered. McJilton quipped, “If you can’t spell the word, I can give you a sentence…”
The couple had been together for about a year. McJilton is the executive director of Second Harvest Japan, a non-government organization that matches food donations with various relief and welfare agencies in Japan. Siy, on the other hand, is a teacher and researcher at Miriam College.
They met briefly during a dinner hosted in Manila by Bruce and Rosalie Hall for those involved in the food-banking mission. The next evening, McJilton and Siy found themselves on their first date, which was the first of many leading to this special moment during the Bee.
McJilton pointed to their seats in the orchestra section. “A year ago, in those seats, you stole my heart,” he said, alluding to their first date watching Atlantis Productions’ Avenue Q last year. “It would be my great pleasure spending the rest of my life waking up to you, and raising children with you.”
Wiping her tears, Siy joked, “Do I have to spell it?” before finally letting out a breathless “Yes!”
The newly engaged couple then sealed the moment with a passionate kiss onstage, as the entire theater erupted in shouts and thunderous applause. Indeed, anything can happen at the Bee!
To the beautiful couple, the entire cast and crew of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee extend their best wishes for a lifetime of happiness and love.
C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S!
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The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs until July 12, 2009 at the RCBC Theater, and departs for its Singapore run on August 12-17. Spelling Bee returns for an encore holiday performance run in Manila from December 4-13, 2009 and will include a special one-night “R-rated” performance. For block buying and ticket inquiries, please visit www.atlantisproductionsinc.com or call 892-7078 or 840-1187.
