By Thelma Mendiola

"Bespren ko, tuLAYKO" A Teatro Emanon Presentation

Students, adults, the laity, the religious and the clergy, all critically acclaimed the first ever musical production of the OLAP youth with impressive reviews and superlative comments as the play run for two weekends, November 10 and 11, and November 17 and 18, at the Ichikawa Hall of the Occupational Health and Safety Center in North Avenue, Quezon City. 

His Excellency, Bishop Antonio Tobias, Diocese of Novaliches and the OLAP Parish Priest, Msgr. Romy Rañada, who attended the premiere showing on November 10, together with priests, nuns, principals of schools, guests from other parishes who filled the hall to capacity, all had encouraging words for the impressive performance and fine initiative of the youth of the Parish.  Bishop Tobias even gave an Endorsement to schools and parishes in the Diocese for the play.  Msgr. Romy, who never saw any of the rehearsals and who arrived from his US and European trip on the eve of the premiere night, was pleasantly surprised and described the play as an “effective evangelization tool” of the youth worth emulating. 

In celebration of Laity Week in OLAP, the Parish produced the musical play “BESPREN ko, tuLAYKO,” a Teatro Emanon multi-media production focusing on and highlighting the role of the family in church evangelization and society.  The Parish Pastoral Council is extremely proud of this production because the youth organizations in the parish joined hands and channeled their creativity and ingenuity to make it possible.  Home grown talents have written the script, compiled previously published music and original compositions, poured in stellar performances and took charge of all aspects of production, under the supervision of Ate Finda Lacanlalay, ministry head of the Committee on Education.  Specifically, the musical play aims to highlight the following objectives:  (1) to deeply understand and advocate the role of the laity in church evangelization and society through multi-media production, (2) to highlight the importance of family as the church’s basic and society’s fundamental foundation, and (3) to discover, strengthen and empower the abundant talents of parish workers, youth leaders and parishioners in our Parish. Respecting the intentions of the youth, it was a fund-raising project to finance the various formation programs of all the ministries and the organizations of the Parish.

The musical play was directed by Chriz Serrano Zabala of the Archdiocese of Manila and Video, Editor Media Exchange Network, Inc.  Lordan Fabila and Ernest Diaz wrote the play.  Some were original compositions and lyrics by James Limonar.  Heading the cast were: Wilfredo Ortiz as Kiko, Maricar Pascual (Noelle), Angel Marco (Angel), Angel Aguda and Dexter Rivera (Devil), Riva Cielo Limonar (Mrs. Cruz), Donna Sardanas (Mrs. Santos), Shiela Dometita (Brenda), Jay R Torres (Mr. Cruz), Beryl Phoebe Belen (Ms. Sanchez), Allan Flores (Chito), Jennelyn Borbe (Sis. Lorna), Jomar (Jo-jo), Paul John (Bro. Paul), and Mark Joseph, Renald, Pinky, Eden, Robert and Edilberto Caralipio, Jeffrey Diaz, Elmer Ramos, Sunshin, Raymond Diaz, Isabelle and Joann (classmates). Part of the Production Team were Dexter Rivera (Stage Manager), Mon Ramos (Technical Director), Paul John, Timothy and Nino (Set Designers), Edmon Favila (Props Manager), Al (Lights Director), Badeth, Pau, Shen and Phoebe (Choreographers).  Fr. Aris de Leon, Actor Pocholo Ramirez and GMA HR Senior Manager Christopher Cadua were consultants who helped in the over-all production.

Students from St. Patrick School, St. James College, St. Augustine International School, Good Shepherd Cathedral School, Colegio de San Bartolome, Blessed Sacrament Parochial School, Marymount Learning and Development Center, Super Child Academy, Culiat High School, Tandang Sora National High School, and representatives from the congregation and other schools all came to watch the musical play.  What were heartwarming to the cast and production staff were the kind words from their contemporaries as well as their repeated attendance in other playdates.

As an added feature during the premiere night, three intermission numbers were rendered by home-grown talents:  a very energetic dance number by Dianne Medina, winner of 2006 Wazzup Wazzup host search, and Rodjun Cruz, champion of the U Can Dance Version 2 of ABS-CBN;  a song rendered by GMA Pop Star Kids grand finalist Jullie Anne San Jose, a choir member of the Cecilian Choir of OLAP; and the world-renown  Kilyawan Boys’ Choir, fresh from their Gold Diploma and Silver Medal awards in the 2006 World Choir Olympics in Xiamen, China.