Three numbers – a worldwide movement. 350 in 2010. People around the world once again unite for a single cause. Dumaguete worked hard in putting together a show that would move the hearts and minds of fellow Dumaguetenos, and the program was a success. All to make the world a better place, several performers put up one of the most unique performing numbers that not only entertained the audience but also educated them about the world and its current state. Education plus entertainment: indeed a beautiful combination.
350...why 350? It is the number that scientists say is the upper limit for carbon dioxide measured in Parts Per Million (PPM) present in the atmosphere. So far, we are in a very dangerous level of 392 PPM and getting back to 350 PPM entails a global transformation. But we have to start somewhere. This is what 350 is all about, the beginning of a global transformation that should involve the whole humanity.
350 in Dumaguete is a part of a worldwide humanitarian effort to reduce the CO2 level in the atmosphere. The Youth Advocates Through Theater Arts (YATTA) was one of the chosen ones asked to perform during the said activity especially since its advocacy directly relates to the purpose of the whole campaign. It was an honor indeed. The program started with a call to order done by Korean students, a salmanori performance, which brought all attention to the centerstage. Several performances followed, one which involved using indigenous materials around the environment used as musical instruments. It was very relaxing to listen to nature inside the mall. The instrumentalists who are also friends of YATTA oftentimes become a part of some of the theater group's community performances.
A member of YATTA also participated in a singing group who sang 2 of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits, ‘Earth Song’ and ‘We are the World’ – 2 songs that tell 2 related stories about how the world has been ruined by years of abuse and that as mother Earth’s children, we can do our part to save it.
YATTA’s performance summed up the whole program as they gave the audience a glimpse of nature as portrayed in a dance-movement with the music “Kay Ganda ng Kalikasan”, which was followed by a narration of events done through story-telling. The storytelling was done by an acting grandfather, who was supposedly recalling about an ancient story of a two-headed bird titled “Koko Kaka”. The story revolved around conflict, jealousy, and how chaos between two siblings could lead to each one’s downfall, probably even both. The previous story eventually leads to grandfather telling the audience that because of human actions, there is a great possibility that in the future, Oxygen (which is a basic human need) will have to be bought for a price. The Oxygen story was done in the form of a mime where the performers didn’t have to speak, and surprisingly, it got most of the crowd’s cheer as the area filled with laughter as the performers acted out. This was followed by a fashion show of recycled materials, which ended with a dance and song number to the tune of “4R” (reduce, reuse, recycle, recover), an original YATTA song. The performance ended with the whole cast forming a tableaux and then dancing to “Pag-ibig tulad ng batis.” – a nature song that signifies the hope of the people to somehow be effective tools in making 350 a reality.
by: Pia Tiongson
"Kay Ganda ng Kalikasan"
"Koko Kaka"
"War on Oxygen"
"Fashion Show and 4R"
"Pag-ibig Tulad ng Batis"
