Christmas has officially started at the Podium last Sunday. Our little ballerina's ballet school was invited to showcase their skills during their Christmas countdown. Filipinos really do start Christmas celebrations early. The Podium mall organized a show where children, together with the little ballerinas and the mall shoppers countdown the clock towards lighting up the Christmas lights on their gigantic Christmas tree in the middle of the mall.
According to the ballet school teacher, the performers that the little ballerinas performed with are professionals and this is a good time for them to expose their talents in front of these audiences. The recitals that we've been to before are purely just for fun and are basically just for the experience. But this time, it was one heck of an experience.
I can honestly say that there is no biz like the showbizness. The show was scheduled to start at 2PM but the little girls' call time was at 10AM. That's like 4 hours too early. I was scared the ballerinas will just be bored and too tired by the time they're about to perform. It turns out there are lots of blockings and last minute rehearsals to do before the actual show. Since the ballerinas weren't the only ones to perform on stage - they were accompanoed by 2 singers and 2 rollerskates dancers - they had to make sure the stage will be perfect for all of them. Or rather they'll all fit in the stage altogether.
Aside from the three dance performances they rehearsed at the studio, they were also asked to perform other impromptu dances. I am very much amazed by the level of professionalism this youngsters showed before and during the show.
After a series of rehearsals on stage, we were allowed to have a break before the show begins. One of the mommies has a clinic near the mall so she offered that the kids hang out there while having lunch. It is during these breaks that these kids just become the kids that they are. Laughing and giggling and playing and running. It's as if their energy never goes low.
After having a quick lunch and letting the kids lie down a bit, we start to get ready for the show. My little one doesn't like putting on make up but she let me put on some lip gloss on her. She read from the book Fashion Can be Fatal about the lead poisoning from make up some time ago in history. Although, when she saw that the other kids were putting other things on their faces, at first she was grossed out at first. But when she saw the glitters, she asked that I put some on her cheeks. Another kid helped her with the glittery eyeshadow.
During the show, the kids amazed me with how quick they were able to follow the cues and instructions of the stage director. They did an amazing job with the steps, blockings, choreography and even the impromptu performances. These kids already know how to set aside their nervousness during their performance, everybody didn't just performed well, they had fun.
It was after the show that my little ballerina started feeling low. She said it's not because she was tired (but I know it kinda is because of it), but because she did not want it to be over. It was only when I reminded her about food that she felt the hunger. We did not go home just yet, she still hung out with some of the kids a little bit more then I called it a night. We needed to head home already.
Come dinner time, the little ballerina gobbled up two meals. That was the first time she ate that much so I let her be. It's a long way from home anyway. Before we went home, I treated her to a quick girl bonding shopping experience. She tried on some clothes and I let her buy what she wanted.
When we got home and it was finally sleeping time, she had the best time. And that her favorite part of the day was our bonding time after. Not the glitters, not the dance, not the confetti or anything else. Of course, she loved those moments. But it was the moment we spent together just looking at clothes, her trying on the ones she liked, and just her and me walking and talking together that made that day even more special to her. And what do you know, the little kid asked for more girl bonding time with me in the future. Of course, I am happy to oblige.
