AMIANAN; GAMENG NAIMBALITOKAN

AMIANAN:GAMENG NAIMBALITOKAN - THE CAST

The people of Piddig and Ilocos Norte particularly those who love our traditional songs and dances were treated with an outstanding cultural presentation featuring Ilokano songs and dances from Saint Anne Academy last January 28, 2011. The show, which was carefully choreographed by the school's own MAPEH teachers and with the supervision of the director featured the school's homegrown  rondalla, choir, dancers and actors - a mixture of teachers and students. There was also an involvement of the parents and benefactors.

The first show was staged at 3:00 PM. The audience was composed mostly of elementary pupils coming from the different elementary schools of Piddig.  The second show was at 6:00 and it catered mainly the general public. The audience applause indicated that they liked the show. They were also tickled by the scenes in it's highlight  -  the love affair of Andong and Aning.

The cultural show is a welcome development for people who now miss the "sarsuela" and the "comedia"  that were last seen in the early '80s because of waning audience. It was because people seem to prefer watching soap opera than them. But for the case of "Gameng..." I noticed the curiosity in younger generations about these lost traditions. The cultural show performed by Saint Anne Academy was an instant hit to the children. Their attentiveness during the duration of the show  attest to it. Maybe because they had seen the beauty of or culture in it. A rich culture that is now on the brink of being lost forever.  It's high time for the government and the rest of the population to revive them.  Saint Anne Academy had started this advocacy. Let's do our own share of responsibility. Our children should not be denied of enjoying our rich and beautiful culture.

For those of you who wish to see the show, Saint Anne Academy will perform it again on February 6, 3PM for free. Don't miss the show. It's a once in a lifetime experience.