I remember them well – all very well. And over the last quarter of a century they have not changed – not a bit. They are perpetually on the go, initiating, implementing and overseeing various plans, projects and programs. Yet, as far as I can remember, they have sat, seemingly nailed to their seats, with full attention and complete concentration, unmindful of the world around them.
They have often wandered the continents and marveled at their unique wonders. They have been, well, almost everywhere – been there, done that – and experienced it all – well, almost all.
Yet these well-traveled people are ever captivated by highly-spirited dance troupes. They do not allow themselves to miss a dance step as they are spellbound by the multi-talented entertainers who sing with their hearts while donned in mesmerizing gowns of gifted Filipino fashion designers.
As expected, whether it be at an elegant hotel ballroom or a school gymnasium painstakingly transformed for the barrio fiesta, the end of every show featuring the very best of our islands ears elicits nothing but applause, thunderous applause, accompanied by enthusiastic shouts of "bravo" and appreciative declarations of "mabuhay." Almost simultaneously, the performance is feted a standing ovation.
These selected guests are the big boys of the global travel and tourism industry – the much-sought-after ladies and gentlemen who create travel trends and dictate whatever is in or not, suavemente influencing the traveling public which cities and towns are to be visited and in the processs making them the now-favorite-and-very-soon-to-be-the-most-popular destinations on earth.
Why is it that after such a performance, show, production, extravaganza, spectacle – call it what you wish – these titans seem to smile more generously and be more friendly than when you dropped by their corporate headquarters on a sales call? Then they might invite you – almost out of character – to call on them next week to discuss your proposals in detail.
You find yourself looking up to the ceiling in a manner reminiscent of your last tour of the Sistine Chapel and hear yourself whisper, "Dear God, please let the airlines have more flights, let the cruise ships have more regular ports of call, let more tour wholesalers feature more provincial destinations. Convince the tourists to stay longer, spend more and have a grand time. And better still, return once more as investors. Thank you for the opportunity made available, which together with the homework done and the other important substantial portions accomplished, we did it again. Thank God."
The day after the State of the Nation Address by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, I talked to some friends who were or are still involved in promoting our islands. Yes, they were all there as members of the selling missions through the years, when I was assigned both in Los Angeles and London, and asked them a seemingly simple question. Who would you tap or which group would you take along to do the song-and-dance and more magical job of entertaining the movers and shakers of the travel industry and share a slice of life in our islands Philippines?
Lydia D. Castillo, former marketing services manager of Cathay Pacific Airways, author of best-selling cookbook In My Basket: Who will I send abroad to promote the Philippines? I would send Martin Nievera and make him sing at the huge Moscone Center in San Francisco, amid the awesome Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, in the sprawling Central Park in New York, in the historical Trafalgar Square in London and in the august halls of the Sydney Opera House, where his rich baritone voice – with the range of a tenor – will reverberate with the musical culture of the Philippines, no doubt igniting the curiosity of the world and capturing those who love music forever.
The word bayanihan, as you know, has a beautiful meaning – helping each other in whatever form – material, physical or spiritual – without hoping or waiting for reward or compensation.
Naturally speaking, however, the Bayanihan dancers and musicians reflect all that is truly Filipino, in terms of dance, song, music, costumes and lots more. On a personal note, the dance troupe is very dear to me. I have seen its progress, having performed nightly at the Maynilad Restaurant of the Manila Hotel from 1980 to 1996 during my almost 20 years association with the property. Seeing their performances will give you more than just a glimpse of Philippine history, arts, culture and traditions. And what about the famed Bayanihan smile? Isn’t that truly Filipino?
I wish that the Bayanihan Dance Company will always find the inspiration or whatever it takes to continue to perform all over the world – as we have seen in the past – to bring out the very best the Philippines has to share.
Millie A. Reyes, vice president and general manager of The Plaza: Budgets are tight these days. Gone are the times when we could afford to bring the entire Bayanihan Dance Troupe, the Madrigal Singers, Pangkat Kawayan and Tita Conching Sunico’s fabulous productions.
I believe the single best local talent who can surely capture the hearts of foreign visitors is none other than Martin Nievera. I am not an avid fan of Martin but I have watched him perform through the years – live, on TV, solo, with his dad Bert, with Pops Fernandez with Zsazsa Padilla and other Filipino artists. He always manages to bring the house down with his voice, his humor and candid wit. He is a perfect and articulate TV host, who never runs out of intelligent things to say. He is capable of turning a messy situation into something more positive and constructive and I admire him for that. I am sure he can master a strategy to bring valuable tourists to our beloved Philippines.
The most in-demand local performers are not necessarily the wisest choices for a traveling show overseas, considering that foreign audiences in the travel industry are not swayed by our local pop charts. So I chose talents on the basis of musical versatility, suitability to the artistic concept at hand and professional discipline.
Of all the talents I have toured – they have been many from singers to dancers to musicians to chefs – the one I valued the most is Dulce. She has a wide repertoire, be it in terms of live areglos or minus-one arrangements, whether in English or Tagalog, be it fast or slow, soft or belting, such that it is so easy to develop a varied repertoire to bring anywhere. She has stunning stage presence that has never failed to rouse a standing ovation in any shows. Most of all , she is a no-airs, no-fuss performer who listens to her director, respects her scriptwriters and never gives her producer hypertension.
Of the current crop of young artists, I would always welcome Ana Fegi. Like Dulce, she has a wide voice range, good stage presence and a positive work attitude.
I would look forward to putting together Dulce, Ana Fegi and Ivy Violan – another talented and disciplined singer – as a trio onstage. Just thinking of it excites me already. A producer’s dream!
Tourists visit a country not only to see its attractions but also to know its people. I want all those tour wholesalers, convention organizers and incentive planners from all over the world to come face-to-face with a worthy representative of our people – someone who projects with elan, some of the good qualities of a Filipino – exceptional talent, classy confidence, can never be intimidated by any other nationality – with good-looks to boot!
This is not only because he’s a good friend. I sincerely believe Martin can easily make the global market forget about the unsavory things it might have heard about our country. Several times in the past, I have actually brought Martin abroad to perform in front of foreign audiences who didn’t know him at all. They usually greet him with polite applause as he comes on stage, then he works his way into the crowd with his soul-stirring renditions and his zany spiels. By the end of his performance, everybody is up on their feet in practically hysterical adulation, begging for more!
For me, it’s Martin or bust!