Manila Entertainment

It just struck me that I’ve recently seen a lot of awesome / bizarre entertainment here in Manila, and you all need to know about it. I submit to a jury of my peers…….

Exhibit A: Michael Jackson:
I mistakenly heard on the radio that Michael Jackson was performing in Manila. This seemed crazy, but no crazier than the Colorado Rockies in the World Series, so I bought tickets for me and Jen. It was actually a well known Philipino singer, Luke Mujales, singing songs by the pop idol. However, he also had a sparkly glove, back-up dancers, and an afro wig for the earlier Jackson 5 era songs. He also showed Michael Jackson videos while performing. Obviously, all copyright laws were ignored.

Exhibit B: The PBA.
The Philippine Basketball Association. Jen and I caught the local commuter train out to Arraneta Coliseum (sight of the Thrilla in Manila! 1976) to watch the Magnolia Beverage Masters play the Pure Foods Tender Juicy Giants. We rolled up to the ticket window and paid the US equivalent of 6 dollars for box seats, which was good for two games. This was the cheapest professional sporting event I will ever attend.* There are 3 basketball seasons here. We are in the middle of “import season.” This is where each team is allowed one foreign import player over 6’10. I don’t know who won, but it was pretty awesome, especially when you picture Ali and Frazier in this place beating the shit out of each other 30 years ago with 7000 screaming Filipinos ringside.

Exhibit C: Prom
If you are the elite 1% of the country, and in high school, what do you do for prom? You hire lights, magicians, transvestites, and Elvis impersonators. That’s what. Jen and I chaperoned. Wow. The theme was “Las Vegas.” So as the kids walked in, there were ladies on pedestals with feathered headdresses and bikinis on. Also on pedestals were two magicians, two transvestites, and a Filipino Elvis impersonator. “Why transvestites?” you might ask. Good question.

* Let the jury be aware that we only paid this much because we are high rollers. Ticket prices went as low as about $0.25.