METTA: The year that was (2010-2011)

Season 2010-2011 was a very busy year for METTA. We had several shows and classes that occupied our school year from institutional shows to our own little classroom recitals. Here's a quick recap on our year:

METTA kicked off the school year with an original show for Buwan ng Wika. Written by Ana Malit, "ANG PAGTATAGPO" is an original concept where the characters Ibong Adarna, Florante, Sisa and Elias tell the audience their tales through a song and at the end, they come together for peace and hope. The songs were composed by Jeff Hernandez. Below is a part of the finale song:

Lumipad sa isang malayang alapaap

Gamit ang mga hinabi nating pakpak

Kung saan maaaring mangarap

At matupad ang ating hinahangad

Sa pagduyan ng himig ng hangin

Tayo’y mahihimbing at muling magigising

Haharapin ang hamong darating

Ng bagong umagang paparating

AUGUST and SEPTEMBER 2010. We re-staged the show "The Mystery of Irma Vep" by Charles Ludlam with Jon Santos and JV Katipunan. With more effects, better set and lights, a backstage tour and a question and answer portion for the audience, the restaging was definitely a success!

December 2010. Amidst the examinations and christmas rush, METTA was preparing for a big dance recital. Entitled "TRANSCENDING THROUGH DANCE 2010", the show featured fresh choreographies from Jun Saagundo (Modern), Batche Tan (Hip Hop), Corina Vallejos (Ballet) and Stephen Biadoma (Neo-Filipino). Here are some photos from the show:

 Dancing for Banaue Rice Terraces.

 The Prayer Dance

 Royal Academy of Dance

JANUARY 2011 marked METTA's production Broadway 4. A musical medley of 3 W's -- Wizard of Oz, Wiz and Wicked. With a cast of 200 and a once a week rehearsal (Broadway 4 is a culminating activity for METTA Club), this is one of the biggest production for the year and not an easy one. This time, we adapted the green living and had the costumes DIY by the students. We discouraged them  to buy new ones and recycle their old ones! Hands down, this is one of the hard and fun METTA Productions! 200 students, 8 coaches. We are all looking forward to Broadway 5!

 Choral rehearsals

 Their DIY Costumes.

METTA College

 FEBRUARY is one of the busier months for METTA. We had METTA Studio Broadway 4, Teachers' day CAFFS, Shakespeare Festival, we had a production of THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA by Federico Garcia Lorca. This time, we added a twist to the play by using the Narration Method and the Mask acting technique. Directed by Jose Estrella and coached by Ana Valdes-Lim. 

MARCH marked the end of a long year but METTA's work does not end there! We had graduations, moving up and thanksgiving day! But aside from those activities, we also had culminating shows for the classes handled by METTA. A 2-part movement dance recital spearheaded by Susan Decena with Stephen Biadoma and a Rehearsal and Performance Recital facilitated by Ana Valdes-Lim.

It may have been a busy and hard year but all is worth it once the curtain closes, and the audience claps. We are thankful to everyone that has been part of our theater season. Next school year will be bigger and busier but it will be a breeze with the support of our students and parents, and the passion of the METTA Team.