PH Youth Group Stages Musical to Fete Hong Kong’s 20th Jubilee
30 August 2017 HONG KONG – The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR organized with the International Social Service Hong Kong Branch (ISS-HK) a Filipino-language musical featuring a theater group comprising Hong Kong-raised youth at the MacPherson Stadium in Mongkok, Hong Kong, on July 30.
“Ang Ugoy ng Duyan” (The Sway of the Cradle) was performed by Teatro Filipino before an audience of more than 800, comprising guests from the diplomatic corps, government, district councils, as well as members of the business and public sectors, and local Hong Kong Chinese, ethnic minorities, and Filipino community leaders and workers.
The two-hour musical was the culminating activity of “Celebrate COLOURS”, a cultural extravaganza presented by the Philippine Consulate and the ISS-HK, in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).
“The musical presents a new generation of pluralistic youngsters whose values have been molded, by and large, by different experiences in a foreign setting, but hopefully, a part of them will forever remain Filipino,” said Consul General Bernardita L. Catalla in her opening remarks.
HKSAR Secretary of Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung sent a message, which was read at the opening ceremony. Special guests like Mr Yang Pei Dong, Director General of Consular Affairs in the Office of the Commissioner of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Equal Opportunities Commission Chair Alfred Chan Cheung-ming, and former Legislative Council member Emily Lau Wai-hing, watched the musical up to the end.
The other events under “Celebrate COLOURS” were a multi-cultural extravaganza titled Hong Kong is Home” and a photo exhibit, which were held at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium (QES) on 26 June 2017.
With these events, the government of the Hong Kong SAR was able to show hundreds of thousands of migrants who call the territory home that they have contributed to Hong Kong’s success and could confidently take part in building its future.
The musical tells of one Hong Kong-raised Filipino teen’s journey to discover his roots in his birthplace of Calamba, Laguna. As the townsfolk prepare for the annual fiesta, the Filipino teen learns more about his origins through daily encounters with his family and newfound friends, and acquaints himself with traditional Filipino traditions and practices.
As the story unfolds, an encounter with the spirit of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal brings the young man’s journey to its climax, leading him to understand how a family’s love and support can help fulfill one’s dreams.
Teatro Filipino is a performing group which serves as a creative outlet for Filipino youth aged 5 to 25. As most of them hardly understand and speak Filipino or get exposure to Filipino culture and heritage, the cast members mostly had to memorize the dialogue and the songs in the Filipino language.
For more information, visit www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph. END
Cast of Ang Ugoy ng Duyan (The Sway of the Cradle) performs at the MacPherson Stadium in Mongkok, Hong Kong, on 30 July 2017.
Consul General Bernardita L. Catalla with the cast of Ang Ugoy ng Duyan (The Sway of the Cradle) takes a bow at the MacPherson Stadium in Mongkok, Hong Kong, on 30 July 2017.