Why is it more fun in Bel-Air?

MANILA, Philippines - “It’s more fun in the Philippines,” so goes the country’s new tourism slogan .

But when it comes to villages, it’s more fun in Bel-Air Makati.

This will be so evident as Bel-Air’s  Pasinaya presents the culmination of its three-day fiesta today with a show directed by Floy Quintos at 7 p.m., featuring 190 of its residents in a grand dance-musicale entitled “Bel -Air: No. 1 in Fun”.

Nene Lichauco, Bel-Air’s formidable and beloved barangay captain,says their annual celebration, called Pasinaya, brings together everyone — from toddlers to  teenagers to  senior citizens, and from  household staffers to corporate CEOs.She says that more than a showcase of Bel Air talent, Pasinaya has become a showcase of good, old community spirit.

“We wanted to have an activity that would be our way of returning the blessings that our community has received. .” explains Lichauco. “It is a very Filipino thing, the root of all fiestas when you come to think about it.A communal show of talent and devotion is what makes all our fiestas so enduring.”

Today’s program starts with free kalesa rides from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by the Children’s Sunday Mass at 9:30 a.m.An animal show with Kuya Kim will be presented at 10:30 a.m., while Bituin Escalante takes center stage at 11:30 a.m. “Pa-Bingo ni Mayor Jun Binay” will be from 2 to 5 p.m., followed by Quintos’ production. The celebration closes with dance time with Soulid band from 9 to 11 p.m.The village also presents its annual bazaar, this time focusing on the heritage of Vigan, with its food and handicrafts on sale.

Pasinaya had its humble beginnings in 1993 when it was simply called Community Day. Then Filipino themes were incorporated into the show, such as  the turn-of-the-century  and “barrio fiesta” themes. Soon, members of the community pitched in, like Susan Calo Medina of Travel Time who brought in National Artist Ramon Obusan to teach the residents Philippine dances.

Soon, the shows became hip and contemporary. From grand opera and Asian epics, Bob Fosse and Bollywood,the past features included the Eraserheads and Bamboo. There were Filipiniana, ballroom, jazz and hiphop numbers,too.

The fresh princess of Bel-Air: Energy from the youth

This year’s extravaganza — its 19th edition — takes its cue from the popular ad campaign of the Department of Tourism.”We wanted to be in sync,” says Calo-Medina who is the show’s  creative honcho.”We wanted a modern, funky yet Pinoy spirit, so we are using Pinoy komiks as a peg for our VTRs. The show has numbers that borrow from Broadway, from pop, from Original Pilipino Music, from the ’70s disco even.”

What makes Pasinaya so gratifying to mount? Lichauco explains: “When we started, we were content to think that we were not pros, that we were just having fun. Now, the spirit has changed. We want to be good. We want to be perfect. I guess, when the younger people joined in, they brought a different kind of energy to the show.Now, everyone wants it to be polished! No more maski-pops attitude!”

But the best effects are felt long after the lights have faded onstage. As Lichauco puts it: “The spirit of community is so strong here in Bel-Air. We all know each other, we greet each other, we make time for our nighbours.I think the most lasting heritage of the Pasinaya is the fact that we have built a real team spirit here in Bel-Air.And that affects the way our young people relate to others outside of the community.