Day 2: The Cultural Performance

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYISA, SERDANG, MALAYSIA - Day 2 of MIYE didn't begin in the morning - it actually began the previous night, when we were going around in a mild panic about what to present. 

We had to do a cultural presentation in the morning in national costume. The venue would be open-air, like a concert, and we should expect 500 people to watch us. Since the shadow play we originally wanted to perform wouldn't be feasible given the set up, we had to regroup and discuss a doable alternative that didn't need props, special skills, or weeks of practice. We had, after all, only three hours to come up with something that (at the bare minimum) wouldn't embarrass the country.

In the end, it was a pop song that saved us -- "Pinoy Ako" to be exact, because pop culture is still culture nonetheless. I think it's a testament to Pinoy creativity, ingenuity, and competitiveness that we were somehow able to polish a whole dance routine at the 11th hour. It was also a great way to bond and have fun -- who knew we had hidden dance skills?

Donned in our national costumes, we boarded the bus that took us to the Universiti Putra Malaysia, the venue for Malaysia's ongoing Youth Week. On a large parking lot stood various food trucks and tents selling things and meals while large speakers blared dance music, which lent a festive air early in the morning. There was a Zumba session ongoing when we arrived which other delegates joined--in their national costume, no less!--while waiting for our cultural performances to start.

If we observe closely, the national costumes of ASEAN countries have one thing in common-it has vibrant batik colors. The program started with announcements and the performance officially started with Vietnam singing a song about their country. Even though we did not understand anything at all, we felt their nationalism pouring out of their mouths every time they sing a line.  The next to perform was Cambodia dancing to one of their traditional songs. This was followed by Laos, who were joined by other delegates because it was a little bit of a workshop where they taught us how to dance it. Indonesia and Myanmar also showcased their culture through dancing and singing. Malaysia, on another note, opted for poem reciting where they talked about why they love Malaysia. Judging by the way they deliver their poems, it’s simply nationalistic even though we did not understand anything.

As to our cultural performance, we chose the theme song of the millennial, which is the Pinoy Ako by Orange and Lemons (made popular by the Pinoy Big Brother). Of course, we started off by explaining what the meaning of the song is and how it talks about the differences of the Filipinos but the bottom-line is, we are one. Jesse concluded his explanation by saying that through this song, perhaps, people will realize that we are standing in front of them as Filipinos, with confidence and beautiful hearts.

Jesse introduces the Philippine delegation and explains 
the group's performance.

“The performance that you are about to witness is a pop culture dance popularly known to Filipino youth entitled: "Pinoy Ako" - I am a Filipino. The message of the song simply implies that as a Filipino you just have to be true to yourself and stand for what you believe in. As Filipinos, we believe that wherever we go, we always excel to whatever we do. We are Filipinos, standing in front all of you with so much confidence and a beautiful heart.”

The dance started with us showcasing the different cultural attires. Tina was on a traditional Baro’t Saya, Marisse was donned in a vibrantly colored Baro’t Saya. KC was wearing a modern take of the Female Barong and Malong. Jesse was clothed in a Maranao attire adorned by bright colors (he was drenched in sweat, it is THAT thick) and Raymond was on a traditional Barong Tagalog. We looked so legit on our outfits but its materials combined with the scorching hot temperature of Malaysia left us all exhausted after we finished dancing. During the performance, we danced the usual steps that we see on TV and the best part was having our co-delegates follow and enjoy our dance moves as well. 

Kristina in her traditional baro't saya.

Marisse in her vibrantly pink Baro’t Saya.

KC in her modern take of the Female 
Barong and Malong.

Jesse in his Maranao attire adorned by
bright colors.

Raymond in traditional Barong Tagalog.

The Philippine delegation performs their presentation 

in the crowd of Universiti Putra Malaysia.

The performance concluded with a flash mob headed by the Vietnam delegation, we danced as if we knew what we were doing and we danced like we were in a party. Everybody was just having a good time. This goes to prove that when we let our guards down, we will realize that we are capable of doing a lot of things and collectively, we can do more. 

With the cultural performance behind us, we were free to enjoy the different sights, sounds, and smells at the fair. We made use of the time getting to know the other delegates, watching the ongoing talent show, and buying various kinds of food to try.