Verse and photos by Dr Abe V Rotor
Living with Nature - School on Blog
Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People's School-on-Air) with Ms Melly C Tenorio
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An all-girls xylophone band. Lagro, QC, 2013
I like the resonance of the sound of the xylophone: metallic and tingling in the distance, its bars of metal; gong-like when made of wood; and naive when made of bamboo;
I cannot miss the sound of the xylophone, for its distinct clear notes no other instrument can equally produce - festive and happy - and I know I am part of the occasion;
I saw and heard a bamboo xylophone in Vietnam's Reunification Palace; it made me feel for the Vietnamese in their struggle during the war, and more for their victory;
I saw and heard an orchestral xylophone, made of metal bars and tubes, you would think it's a miniature church organ but played as a percussion instrument;
I saw one in Egypt, shaped like a lyre, its bars of hard wood, and as it was played I watched the camels and their riders drift on the sea of sand around the pyramids.
I got a bamboo xylophone from old friends, the bars arranged on a vinta-like receptacle as sounding board, amplifying each of the seven notes like rowing song;
I treasure most the caroling by a band of high school girls at home, a rare experience to listen to six xylophones playing in harmony the songs of Christmas. ~
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