A Night with Hamilton: When Broadway Meets Bay City

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the theatrical triumph that is "Hamilton" at the state-of-the-art Theatre Solaire Manila, and I'm here to spill all the harmonious details!

Pride in Performance: A Filipino Star Shines as Eliza - There's something magical about watching a familiar face on stage, especially when that face belongs to a fellow Filipino, Rachelle Ann Go . Her portrayal of Eliza Schuyler was a performance that captured hearts and showcased the sheer talent that the Philippines has to offer. It filled the theatre with pride and resonated with a sense of homegrown greatness.

Musical Moments That Truly Hit Home - There’s a point in "Hamilton" where the energy just shifts – when "My Shot" comes on, it's like the whole room ignites. That song isn't just a number; it's the anthem of the play, and sitting there in Solaire, I felt every word in my bones. It was like a collective promise we all made, right then and there, to grab hold of life and live it to the fullest. Then, you have "Burn." It’s hauntingly beautiful, and Rachelle Ann Go? She doesn’t just sing those notes; she unleashes a torrent of heartache and fury that's so palpable you could almost reach out and touch it. The air gets thick with emotion, and it’s like everyone in the theater is holding their breath together.

Not Just a Show, But a Phenomenon - Hamilton isn’t something you simply watch; it’s something you experience. It's not just because of the music that gets your heart racing or the story that sends your spirit soaring; it's the entire package. The stage comes to life in a way that’s hard to put into words – it’s like stepping into another world where every beat, every move, and every word matters. From the get-go, the energy is different. The whole cast brings a storm of passion to the stage, and you can tell they’re not just there to play a part; they’re there to bring a revolution. And the choreography, It’s like watching poetry in motion – so precise, so full of life, it’s like every step tells its own little story. In the Philippines, we know a thing or two about revolutions and resilience, and "Hamilton" hits right at the heart of that. It’s a story from another land and another time, but the themes are universal. They’re our themes, too.

A Quote to Live By - As the last notes of "Hamilton" fade away and the vibrant energy of the performance lingers in the air like a promise, we're left with a poignant question that echoes through the halls of Theatre:

 "Legacy. What is a legacy? It's planting seeds in a garden you never get to see."

 This line, delivered with the raw truth that "Hamilton" is known for, It's a profound message for all of us in the audience, a call to reflect on the marks we leave on the world. As we hustle through our daily routines, these words should be our compass, guiding us to consider the long-term impact of our actions. What kind of seeds are we planting? Are they ones of kindness, ambition, creativity, and love? The legacy we leave isn't just in the monuments we build or the titles we earn; it's in the memories we create, the lives we touch, and the stories that will be told about us when we're no longer here to tell them ourselves. "Hamilton" doesn't just entertain; it inspires. It challenges us to rise up, to take a stand, and to make the most of the time we're given. And perhaps that's the greatest legacy of all – the courage to live a life that's true to who we are and what we believe in.  So, as we step out into the night, the air still crackling with the electricity of the final applause, let's carry that question with us. Let it be the spark that lights up our days and the rhythm that drives our actions. Let's not just live life but live it with a passion that's worth remembering.

Here's to the dreamers, the doers, and the believers – may we all have the courage to create a legacy that resonates through generations. Let's not throw away our shot because life isn't just the stage we perform on; it's the legacy we leave behind.