Talents

Earlier today most of the students from our school had the chance to watch a cultural presentation at Bethany Christian School, a local Chinese school. Bethany was having their culminating program for Buwan ng Wika, the Philippines' celebration of language and culture. The Bethany students did an awesome job of portraying many different dances from the different areas of the Philippines and around the world. It was obvious that they had spent many hours over many weeks and months practicing for this event. There were many dozens of students performing beautifully orchestrated dances one right after another. Each one came off without a hitch (except for a few ankles getting caught in the Tinikling sticks) and the dances followed each other with no intermissions. It was also obvious that the whole production was very much a team effort of students, teachers and parents. Not only were the dances superb, but the stage sets and costumes were elaborate. There's no doubt many thousands of dollars were spent on costumes alone. It all came together for a great show. I'm sure that all of the parents in attendance were very proud of their kids.

As I'm writing this, there is a small group of kids in the library after hours at our school learning a new song and dance for their upcoming morning meeting presentation. The best I can tell is that nearly all of them are singing in the wrong key (several wrong keys) and with different beats. But just as the Bethany students surely started off with many wrong steps and dance moves, our kids are starting from "ground zero" as well. Whether a group is very large or small, you start building with a few steps here and a few notes there. It's a lot of hard work that makes it all come together. I'm sure our small group in the library today practicing with Teacher Michelle will pull off a polished presentation in a few weeks.

And one thing is for sure, we will be just as proud of them as all of the Bethany students' parents were of their kids today at the Buwan ng Wika.