Laughter filled the halls of the University Theater last December 15 as Hagikhikan, the annual faculty talent show, was staged.
The “Faculty Follies,” which used to be held only within the College of Arts and Letters (CAL), has been made University-wide since 2008 for the UP Centennial.
More and merrier. Some 16 units from UPD presented musical numbers ranging from the somber to the screwball to the downright shocking, with faculty members trading in their power suits and button shirts for fishnet stockings and colorful wigs.
UPD Chancellor Sergio S. Cao opened the show with a stirring rendition of Magsimula Ka by Leo Valdez. Towards the end of the song he was joined by Vice Chancellors Lorna Paredes, Luis Sison, Mary Delia Tomacruz, Elizabeth Enriquez and Cynthia Grace Gregorio, as well as UPDIO Director/OICA Acting Director/UP Theater Administrator Rubén DF. Defeo.
The Asian Center paid tribute to the 150th birthday of national hero José Rizal by doing a poetry reading of some of his works accompanied by an interpretive dance by Dr. Matthew Santamaria.
This was followed by a dance number by the College of Education faculty led by a high-energy Dean Dina Ocampo, sporting an afro wig and orange wraps.
The College of Social Sciences and Philosophy once more brought the laughter with a double performance of the “backstreet balls” and “spice balls,” with many of last year’s performers again taking to the stage this year.
The College of Human Kinetics (CHK), Asian Institute of Tourism (AIT) and College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) came out with a Cirque du Soleil-esque number featuring all the disciplines being conducted and studied in the college, including pilates, yoga and gymnastics. An aerial silk acrobat at the back of the stage kept the audience’s attention.
Hagikhikan bigwig CAL teamed up with the School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR) and newcomer Archaeological Studies Program (ASP) for a different take on the tale of the little mermaid, complete with a faux-gay kiss that sent the evening crowd into a hollering frenzy.
Similar to their presentation last year, the College of Engineering did a clash of the generations, using contemporary songs like the Macarena and Single Ladies to “spice up” traditional folk dances like Tinikling, Maglalatik and Pandanggo sa Ilaw.
The College of Architecture’s number is similar to last year’s presentation in plot and its use of contemporary pop music, now with the addition of new dean Dr. Mary Anne Espina and Prof. Rene Luis “Justin Bieber” Mata.
The group from the College of Music led by Prof. Lester Demetillo and Dean José Buenconsejo showcased the lyrical and choreographic proficiency they are known for by singing a capella their re-lyricized version of the Queen hit “We Will Rock You.”
The College of Home Economics and the School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) chose a mashup of music from the musical Cats and early Madonna for their presentation, sporting hair and costumes that would make the material girl proud.
The College of Mass Communication made a big splash after being absent from last year’s show, presenting an anthology of the dance crazes that have swept the Philippines in the last three decades: “Rico Mambo” by the Breakfast Club, Magic Fire’s “Body Dancer,” Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” the Lambada, “Always” by Erasure (made popular by the group Universal Motion Dancers), Los del Rio’s “The Macarena,” Las Ketchup’s “The Ketchup Song” and Shakira’s “Waka Waka.”
Unlike in the past two years, the College of Fine Arts opted out of musical performance and chose to give a preview of the kind of material to expect from the college at this year’s Lantern Parade, donning costumes depicting all manner of sea creatures.
The show capped off with a heartfelt speech from outgoing UP President Emerlinda R. Román, who had her “final walk” complete with flowing fur-trimmed cape and suited-up UP Rayadillo.
Between each number host and Sentro ng Wikang Filipino Director Jovy Peregrino along with dancers from the University’s performing groups did spiels featuring songs from popular musicals like Phantom of the Opera, Chicago and Wicked.
Bigger. This year’s Hagikhikan is bigger and better, with the 3 p.m. show well attended and the 7 p.m. evening show packing the 2,000-capacity theater to the rafters.
Each academic unit brought their own cheerleaders to the party. The evening show drew in a crowd that could barely be contained in their enthusiasm and rowdiness.