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| The Paskong Pinoy Musical Puppet Show, Robinsons Place Lipa's first Christmas attraction (Image Source: Mapio.net) |
In
November 2006, Robinsons Place Lipa launched its first Christmas attraction -
the Paskong Pinoy Musical Puppet Show - and I was among the first to enjoy such
an entertaining spectacle. But when typhoon Reming battered Luzon a few days
later, I was worried about the show's status and thought that it would go on no
matter what happens. One morning after the storm while the city remains without
power, I personally checked it out before the mall's opening and I was surprised
at what I have seen.
The
Paskong Pinoy Musical Puppet Show hanging above the mall's front entrance has
unbelievably received partial damage with the character puppets and the scenery
still intact. On the same day, I was awed and impressed to see the puppet show
active and unscathed when it was time to activate and entertain spectators
going towards the mall. In my case, it was considered to be the most unforgettable
moment in my life since I was a first year Computer Science student at Kolehiyo
ng Lungsod ng Lipa (Lipa City Public College at the time).
Fast
forward to thirteen years later, typhoon Tisoy entered our shores and began
rampaging across Southern Luzon on the first week of December. My home city,
which was among the affected areas suffering the wrath of Tisoy, experienced a
longer power interruption than I can remember from dark dusk till darker dawn.
This almost reminded me of the time Reming packed down its strong fury of
winds, rains and gusts around the city and Robinsons Place Lipa's very first
Christmas attraction. Prior to Tisoy's wrath, I was able to see Doraemon and friends
meeting and greeting with their fans behind Rob Lipa's giant Christmas tree
before watching the opening ceremonies of the 30th Southeast Asian Games on
ABS-CBN.
When
everything is all clear and the power is back online (thanks to the efforts of
the mighty Batangas II Electric Cooperative), Lipa City is back on its normal
ways without any worries or problems that can hinder its wonderful Christmas.
Tisoy and Reming may be among the most powerful and destructive typhoons that I
have endured in my life, but the experience I have before and after these
storms is among what makes me more optimistic of what will lie ahead in the
foreseeable future and I should literally thank the Paskong Pinoy Musical
Puppet Show for reminding me all over again.
