The Hong Kong connection
Life in Hong Kong is so fast. Literally, we need to walk hurriedly to catch up the schedule in the next station of the train, double-decker bus or trump. But despite such fast-paced movement, people still take a break to appreciate artistic undertakings. The staging of Disney's The Little Mermaid at the Yew Chung International School by my former colleague Allan M. Nazareno, as the director, is a proof to it.
For the school, the annual musical production is memorable because it was the first non-US school production in the world. True to the school's continuing commitment to excellence in education throughout the years and a way of nurturing their students, they continue to provide opportunities to develop their students' skills and talents in various areas.
The iconic film released in 1989 introduced many characters who are still loved by many and so directing this musical meant that the director had to be mindful of letting the audience recognize the familiar characters and the beloved story. For the production team, to create a twist from a very popular Disney production on stage is truly a challenge. And Allan is very instrumental in making this a reality.
To justify this unusual staging decision, an artistic concept had to be defined to act as catalyst for all the elements of the show. Readjusting the musical's central point by making it less about Ariel's longing to be with her prince and more about her wanting to be in a world where she truly belonged. This led him to the idea that Ariel's desire for going to the human world is a metaphor of an Asian's desire to live in the west. He began to see this show as a commentary on "colonial mentality."
This director's decision goes to show his great respect and appreciation of what's truly ours, truly Asian. From a borrowed concept, the challenge of adding and providing a twist would always be there without necessarily distorting the central theme. This comes out the ingenuity of Allan Nazareno-an Asian, a Filipino.
Just like my other trips, though watching the musical was my first and foremost aim, but it allowed me to explore other must-see places of Hong Kong.
Our first stop from the Hong Kong airport was where we saw the giant Buddha using a cable car. It was truly an amazing sight–an Indian religious figure in a predominantly Chinese population.
In Disneyland, with Rudy Aviles, Dr. Primitivo Ereno, Professor Nelia Ereno and Allan, I have found diverse nationalities. Meeting Filipinos speaking our very own language lifted my heart. In the live musical shows of the Lion King and the Golden Mickeys, there were some Filipinos, specifically Cebuanos, who were lead casts. I am so proud to see them perform their amazing talents-honed and perfected. The parade of Disney characters, the "Disney Paint the Night" or the "Lights Parade" ended with splendid fireworks, truly awesome and unequalled.
The rides we took were jaw-dropping. How they were able to create cliffs, rivers, jungles and produced interactive movies is truly amazing! In one of our rides, It's a Small World, there were moving children dolls from different countries singing in their own languages. And for the Philippines, a doll inside the bahay kubo sang it in Filipino and it was indeed so uplifting to hear it.
On Sunday, we heard mass at the Rosary Church. Attended by different nationalities, it was noteworthy that during the mass, the priest made a heartwarming connection with us Filipinos by recalling the Yolanda tragedy, urging us to remember our loved ones. He added by thanking those who offered prayers and gave financial support.
We also went to the Peak where we saw the whole Hong Kong's skyscrapers, high-rise buildings, and structures as if they are competing with the heights of the mountains.
I thank Allan for the connection he has provided us, to see the wonderful connections of Hong Kong: the connection of culture and tradition, the connection of people. His recent artistic work has great connection of Asia's culture and traditions with that of the West.
Opening its doors, Hong Kong has connected to a bigger world of culture and tradition. In an artistic world, a Filipino thespian has done it. Congratulations Allan for opening the hearts and minds for the artistic possibilities of connecting the various cultural worlds. Mabuhi ka ug padayon!
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