By Cleric Nathan Petate, SDB
“Happy Fiesta” This festive greeting of the cast at the latter part of the stage play echoed deeply in the hearts of various audience who witnessed the theatrical musical play staged by the community of Don Bosco Prenovitiate, House of Formation in Canlubang. The said play eyed certain group of individuals for its contribution to the preparations for the feast of St John Bosco, as well as for the aspirants to exhibit their giftedness and talents for vocation promotion. Those who said yes were some students from different departments of Don Bosco College, salesians from Salesian communities in the vicinity and young people from youth centers animated by MHCP Mayapa and Postnovitiate Community. The last performance was staged to the parents of the seminarians during their monthly family day. This ACCADEMIA entitled “Lost & Found” marked as the community’s special feature for the month of January. It even served as one of the main highlights of the Founder’s Day celebration of Don Bosco College.
Ran in an hour and a half, the play revolved around the celebrating parish of St John Bosco. As the countdown of the Triduum days for the big feast began, the parish priest and various parishioners in all walks of life rushed all the preparations. The parish priest dynamically portrayed by 1st year Asp. Monico Flores, a vocation from DBA Mabalacat, Pampanga, and various parishioners in different walks of life — Asp. Winy Gamolo & Ed Gojo (Junior High School students), Asp. Ruel Gonzales & Paul Lopez (Shopworkers), Asp. Benjo Mangila & Adrian Sigua (Magicians) and Asp. Marx Villasenor & Asp. Joseph Bautista (Journalists & writers) — set the mood of the feast.
One night, some young gangsters stole one of the statues in the parish. The break-in was an order coming from their boss they endeared as “Big Boss” portrayed by Asp. Madz Gadao of Savio Parish, Mandaluyong. Initially, the intention was to steal the statue of Mary Help of Christians with baby Jesus in her arms. But upon arrival, the gangsters comically depicted by Prenov. Lorenzo Liu (Hired Assasin), Anthony Rodriguez; Asps. EJ Cunanan, Jess Lumibao, King Cuntapay, CJ Abulencia, John Adorna & Eleazar Solina, saw another statue (statue of Don Bosco). They quarreled about what was it that their big boss needed until a parish security guard entered — a role played by Asp. Ysrael Rosarito — and caught them in the act. Out of desperation, they brought the statue of Don Bosco instead of the Lady.
The plot developed as the conflicts surfaced and began to unfold. The conflict halted the excitement of the parish people. They were at a lost how will they celebrate the feast of St John Bosco without his statue. The gangsters as well had their fair share of anxiety and fear since they brought a different statue other than what was expected from them. Luckily, a Chinese rich man named Don Samyang X2 portrayed by Prenov. Thomas Li and his interpreter Sir Poj acted out by Asp. Roj Mallari, who wanted to visit the famous St John Bosco parish, located their hide-out place. Puzzled, they found the statue of Don Bosco and asked why they had such a statue of precious value. The gangsters tried to explain why but never told a single truth. Eventually, since it was their first time to visit the place, the two guests believed all the lies. Sir Poj even narrated some historical facts about the saint and gave them donations. After, Don Samyang X2 and Sir Poj inquired which path to choose to reach the parish. They pointed out the way and both of them left without a trace of doubt about the stolen statue.
The arrival of the two in the parish was delighted by the parish priest. They introduced themselves and talked about the coming feast. Suddenly, they came across the issue of the lost statue during their conversation. The priest reported what had recently happened. Don Samyang X2 and Sir Poj, after confirming that what they saw earlier was a stolen statue, was driven by anger. Without further discussion, the parish priest suggested to go there with them, called the guard and immediately went off to claim the statue. The parishioners, as the news broke, paved their way as well to the site, bringing with them all sorts of kitchen wares, cleaning tools, etc.
The confrontation began sooner as they arrived in their area. Filled with dismay to the young gangsters, the parishioners tried to harm them. But the parish priest stood at the middle. He told his people that if Don Bosco was alive today, he will see hope, love, giftedness, and holiness with these young people instead of hopelessness, fear, lack of life and peace. At first, the parishioners resisted but later on, they eventually expressed forgiveness to them. “Big boss” was arrested and brought to prison after finding out it was all his fault.
The last day of preparation was indeed for the parish priest and the people a worthwhile one. With the youngsters they adopted, they all together returned the statue of Don Bosco and began the last stretch of their preparation. The parish priest even promised them that they will sponsor their education for the upcoming new school year. The scene ended with the festive greeting, “Happy Fiesta,” singing all the choruses of the productions they’ve performed during the play!
Script written by Br. Paul Dungca SDB almost 7 years ago where some of the actors and crew are now professed Salesians, this ACCADEMIA prompts everyone to renew their knowledge about Don Bosco and his saintly works.
As the director, with my partner as co-producer Br Jojo Valenzuela, SDB who took charge of this activity as practical trainees of the community, most of you, if not all, will agree that this kind of special responsibility to make is a treasure to cherish. This is precisely my sentiment now; not in the near future but now. If during the preparation and rehearsals, the core group which were composed of leader aspirants themselves aimed to stage this as a gift for Don Bosco, I realized now it is the other way around. The gift of Salesian vocation, this wonderful opportunity to dramatize and produce a stage play, is first and foremost a gift we received from Don Bosco. If people laughed, cried and were inspired by the stage play, it was never our success. It was a success of Don Bosco of making use of us, of making use of me, in making certain people he brought to witness the production happy — a great start for being simply holy.
True. My realization is almost the same as the writer’s, sharing once in the play the main message of the play: “Akala natin si Don Bosco and nawawala, hindi pala. Si Don Bosco pala ang naghanap (points to the gangsters) sa mga nawawala…” In English, “We thought Don Bosco was lost, but it was never like that. He was the one who sought (points to gangsters) for the lost.” This will surely ring a bell, and inspire everyone to become Don Bosco of today, especially this year of the youth.
From Don Bosco Prenovitiate, I, and all the members of the community headed by Fr Gerry Martin, SDB, now, would like to shout out loud like the cast and crew of the play, “Happy Fiesta!”
