Tisa to stage musical play on the life of San Lorenzo

CEBU, Philippines — Barangay Tisa in Cebu City has been known for its famous street-style pork dumplings or “siomai” but this time, local parishioners are preparing to host a musical play to relive and highlight the virtuous life of their patron saint – San Lorenzo Ruiz.

The Catholic community of San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish is getting ready for the big celebration this month in anticipation of the saint's feast day on September 24. Significantly, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the church since its elevation as parish.

Organizers conceptualized a musical play called “Tanghaga” (mystery in English) that tells the heroic life of the first Filipino saint and martyr to further propagate his virtuous deeds to the people.

Barangay Tisa Councilman Joel Alcazaren said the theatrical performance was planned last year to highlight the religious significance of the feast of their patron saint.

“We thought of something different, making it marvelous. We thought of coming up with the play because we want to awaken the consciousness of the people of the life story of San Lorenzo, relaying an insightful message in the form of dance and music,” he said.

Alcazaren said cultural activities have been slated for years during the festivity, or locally known as the Siomai Festival, with the traditional dance competition and the street parties.

This year, a religious activity is prepared for spectators featuring homegrown talents of about 50 casts that will be performing for the play that will run for one hour and 45 minutes.

Alcazaren said the play will be staged at the gym of Tisa Elementary School on September 23 and 24 with two shows each, one at 7 p.m. and the other will follow at 9 p.m. Admission is free but with limited seats only.

He said this event will be a pride to the barangay for initiating a musical theater with original screenplay, which means, all the songs and lyrics are originally composed by a local writer in the Cebuano dialect.

He said different stakeholders are working hand in hand to realize the plan with the support of the parish clergy and barangay officials and in collaboration with the school administration of Tisa elementary and Tisa high schools.

He said the activity will be the first time to be showcased for the feast celebration in 30 years, making it a “milestone” in line with the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the parish.

Roldan Ardinez, director of the play, said directing the play is a big challenge for him since it would be his first to direct play on the life of a saint and with neophyte casts. —/FPL (FREEMAN)