Philippines / Metro Manila / Dining / Theater Restaurants

Theater restaurants in Metro Manila normally stage cultural dances. But culture as it is presented in these restaurants is of a light motif; the emphasis of the presentations is entertainment not art - unlike what is offered at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Dance at the Cultural Center may rank higher as an art form but is as entertaining as Shakespeare without costumes. At the theater restaurants the shows often focus on special effects, even stunts involving traditional swords or knives and occasionally fire rings.

The dances basically reflect four cultural traditions: the traditions of the mountain tribes of Northern Luzon, of the Moslems in the far South, of the era of Spanish colonialism, and of the Filipino farmer.

However, one theater res-taurant in Metro Manila is very different from the others - the Hobbit House on Mabini St. There the world-famous Philippine folk singer Freddie Aguilar performs three times a week. Saturday is usually one of the days Freddie Aguilar is on stage in the Hobbit House. As his schedule is ir-regular because of TV appearances, record productions and engagements abroad, it's advisable for those who want to be sure not to miss him, to call for his schedule (Tel 521-76-04 or 50-65-73).

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