For whatever reason (I don't know why, I've thought about it before but haven't come up with an acceptable answer), we don't do much cultural stuff in Manila. Especially when compared to our two years in India. Thankfully, William's school (Maria Montessori Children's Foundation) helps us step out of our Embassy/Expat bubble every now and then.
Today was what Greg refers to as the "Christmas Spectacular." As in, for the last month, the kids have been practicing their song and dance routine. In fact, this week, normal classes were suspended and it was practice practice practice all the time - Wm reported that they didn't even have playground time yesterday because of the dress rehearsal.
In the 1.5 years, I've come to enjoy the song-and-dance routines, not just by kids at school, but also at work. I admit. At last year's embassy holiday party, I thought it was ridiculous. How could managers be expected to give employees time during the work day to practice so much? I mean, we had VISAS to process! But, this year I thoroughly enjoyed the dance show down at the holiday party - from the cross-dresser on the Facilities Maintenance Team losing his top to the gold-sequined deputy NIV chief jammin' to gangam style.
As I came to realize today, this love of Christmas dance shows starts young, at age 2.5. Filipino parents could not imagine a school Christmas pageant without a real dance show by their kids. And I mean Christmas - in a country that's 90-95% Christian, it's full on Christmas, even with the concept of separation of church and state existing here.
So, for those of you wanting to watch Wm's performance, check it out on YouTube.
Bonus points if you can spot where he stuck in his gangam style moves during the "free dance" portion.
And a picture of the stage:
(** translation: Happy and Vivacious Christmas in the Philippines!)
Today was what Greg refers to as the "Christmas Spectacular." As in, for the last month, the kids have been practicing their song and dance routine. In fact, this week, normal classes were suspended and it was practice practice practice all the time - Wm reported that they didn't even have playground time yesterday because of the dress rehearsal.
In the 1.5 years, I've come to enjoy the song-and-dance routines, not just by kids at school, but also at work. I admit. At last year's embassy holiday party, I thought it was ridiculous. How could managers be expected to give employees time during the work day to practice so much? I mean, we had VISAS to process! But, this year I thoroughly enjoyed the dance show down at the holiday party - from the cross-dresser on the Facilities Maintenance Team losing his top to the gold-sequined deputy NIV chief jammin' to gangam style.As I came to realize today, this love of Christmas dance shows starts young, at age 2.5. Filipino parents could not imagine a school Christmas pageant without a real dance show by their kids. And I mean Christmas - in a country that's 90-95% Christian, it's full on Christmas, even with the concept of separation of church and state existing here.
So, for those of you wanting to watch Wm's performance, check it out on YouTube.
Bonus points if you can spot where he stuck in his gangam style moves during the "free dance" portion.
And a picture of the stage:
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