Strawberry-No-Jam 016

December 11, 2010
XU Little Theater
Xavier University

Dear Jam,

Well, it was better than I expected. Even better than my performance at HOLCIM where I had to grope for words every time I had to transition from one character, or from one idea to another. I think I felt at home this time, not only because I was performing "at home" but because I used the vernacular for the most part and people found it easier to connect with that laid-back ambiance I was bringing. The laughter and the applause was something more than I could ever want for than the actual number of attendees. To be honest, it made me even more nervous to see that the Xavier Little Theater was barely half full. It was raining hard and any other possible spectators found it difficult to brave wind and rain. Mamala couldn't make it, herself. But there was Nahnang with D'Crammerz Tita Sheila. There was the tandem of Teachers Jenifer and Mhardy, not to forget Nohnong and Tita Vanessa. When I thought she would not attend, I found your Tita Jet with her cousin after I finished my performance.

What made me nervous is the fact that I may not be able to please a meager number of audience. As in a bigger audience, at least I can rely on its half who could get the groove of it all, the piece that celebrated the craziness in Call Center life. But you know what, God gave the 100% participation and reaction I didn't expect. To think, after the performance, as I sat down to watch the other numbers and pieces going on, I found that the room was merely filled with less than a hundred people, excluding the lot of other performers. But then there was the cheers of a thousand applause, the voices of a thousand appreciation and the "I love you"s I found to be so sweetly amusing and heart-warming. At one point, I recognized Tita Vanessa's voice or Teacher Jenifer and...as Nahnang admits, it was the reserved-looking Tita Sheila who did one of the cat calls. That was so cool! The sweetest sort of self-redemption, I have thankfully achieved through wonderful and supportive friends.

It was an enjoyable night of a talent variety. Tita Agnes closed the evening's event with her rendition of the Broadway songs and themes from Little Mermaid, which I so immensely enjoyed, being a fan of the them all. There was ballet, which I am sure you would have enjoyed had you seen it. There was a band, a group of energetic kids who danced a medley of popular songs, then a boy with a beat in his box! Beat Box champion, right from CDeO, proud to say. At first, I wasn't given the reception I got right after I took the stage. I kept them guessing what I was about to do there, shrugging my shoulder with "Maybe" whenever they asked me if I were to sing or do cartwheels. When I said I would do a monologue, it was merely shunned to the likes of dramatic pieces ala "Alms, alms, spare me a piece of bread." Well, to say I surprised, amazed and amused them, is an understatement - and that's saying something, if I may speak of myself.

Thank God for the talent and the apparent of which it may just be passed on to you! Are you ready to take the responsibility? :D

Love, Mommy