Ateneo de Iloilo Theater goes retro with 'Friends Forever'
"A FRIEND should be radical, fanatical, but most of all, mathematical."
This poem from Juli-Ann in Wayne and Nan Gurley's "Friends Forever" is just but one example of what real friendship is all about.
Last February 17 and 18 (6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.), Ateneo de Iloilo - Santa Maria Catholic School presented a 1980's-set musical play that touched the lives of the high school students especially the seniors.
To note, the staging originally premiered on May 10, 1987 and proved to be a hit since it deals with a simple yet unique tale of a group of high school students who learned to understand each other despite their individualities and personal problems in life.
"With lead cast Mike (Joseph Abelita) and singing diva Mitzi (Florence Mae Jarillo), and with the soulful performance coming from Mark (Dustin Palomo) along with the incomparable rap song from Tab (John Henry Delfin), your hearts were surely filled with the funny-yet-moving idiosyncrasies brought about by teenage life," said director John Paul Chua, adding "as you witnessed the magic unfolds at the Ateneo de Iloilo Kinder Hall."
To note, the 25-student cast was also supported by Ateneo de Manila University graduates and now Ateneo de Iloilo teachers Rodolfo Manuel Tamayo (musical director) and Buen Andrew Cruz (set designer). AdI-SMCS teachers Zenny Cabanilla-Lallen and Joven Brigildo were the play's choreographers.
Meantime, Ateneo de Iloilo juniors will also hold its two-day Immersion Program in Brgy. Sinubsuban, Maasin, Iloilo starting Friday, February 24, as part of the school's community outreach and Christian Living Education programs. The activity, where students are assigned to meet, dwell and learn with their foster parents (mostly farmers) for two days, is organized bi-annually by Outreach Coordinator Primo Escobañez.
On Sunday, February 26, the whole high school department will also hold its Family Day at Puerto Real in La Paz, Iloilo City. This yearly initiative is sponsored by the Parents Teachers Association led by Engr. Everado Ledesma.
This summer, on the other hand, students of Ateneo will also hold its 5th Summer Journalism and Creative Writing Course that is slated March 27-30 (Basic Journalism), March 3-8 a nd March 28-29 (Advanced Journalism), and March 24-27 (Creative Writing)./Ripples