Miel Abong debuts in theater
MANILA, Philippines – While most young girls aspire to celebrate their 18th birthday with a grand debut embellished with a designer gown, the first dance with dad, a cotillion of 18 roses and a coterie of escorts, Carina Mariela Barrera Abong is instead opting to debut, not once, but several times on stage.
A first year college student of Theatre Arts and Media Education at the Assumption College Makati, Miel was recently awarded of the 2010 B.I.D.A. Awards, Assumption College’s Top Ten Outstanding First Year Students of Academic Year 2009-2010.
Miel has performed as a dancer or an actress in productions such as Merchant of Venice (as Shylock), Julius Ceasar (as Julius Ceasar), Macbeth (as Macbeth), Romeo and Juliet (as Juliet).
She danced in A Chorus Live, Annie and Cole Porter productions. Her commitment and passion for theater has garnered her several awards for METTA (Marie Eugenie Theatre of Assumption) such as Extraordinary Performer 2008 and 2009 for excellence in rehearsal and performance, and the highest award METTA Gold 2010 Award for her outstanding work in summer Shakespeare and Broadway 3 for her excellence in rehearsal and performance, outstanding accuracy, details and nuance.
“I have been with METTA for over five years and their methods of teaching and training are suitable for performers of all ages,” says the accomplished debutante.
Her inspiration is Assumption’s mother foundress, St. Marie Eugenie of Jesus who believed that every child has a grace. It is in finding that grace that children can truly understand how they express themselves.
“What I find disappointing in a lot of children I have encountered in the exposure trips provided for me and my peers by the school is that many opportunities have passed them simply because they did not believe in themselves”, adds Miel.
Miel typifies the youth of today who live their young lives enriching their horizons without compromising values that transform them into models of society.
