BULAKAN, Bulacan— Kabesera Inc, the heritage, culture and history group of
Bulakan officially launches on September 15, coinciding with the culmination of
the weeklong Sining Kalinangan ng Bulacan (Singkaban) Festival the “Goyo @ 150:
PARA SA BAYAN Dulang Musikal ng Kabayanihan,” a musical play in honor of the
life and heroism of Gen.Gregorio “Hen. Goyo” del Pilar in celebration of his 150th
birth anniversary on Nov.14.
The musical play which will have its gala premiere at 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the
Hiyas Pavilion in City of Malolos and on November 24 and 25 at Assumpta
Academy in Bulakan dramatizes the gallantry and bravery Hen. Goyo and his
brigade, “Brigada del Pilar” demonstrated to defend the country through the
battles they won including their defeat where they all fell and lost their breath
before American troops in the Battle of Tirad Pass in Iloos Sur on Dec. 2, 1899.
The musical play is a remake of the fifty year old “Goyo @ 100” stage play made
and presented by Kabesera members Bong Enriquez and Noli Garcia in their
college years during then 100th birth anniversary celebration of the hero in
Bulakan town plaza in 1975.
Enriquez, who became a very well-known production director in Bulacan is the
over-all director of the musical while Garcia wrote the original script.
According to Enriquez, he and Garcia made some modifications on the script for
the 70-minute play to make it attune with the modern times. The musical play will
be performed by about 35 casts who will do the role of Hen. Goyo, his girlfriend
Remedios, his mother, Maestrong Sebio, Loring, Maestrong Sebio’s girlfriend,
members of his brigade, Gen. Aguinaldo, etc.
A Dangal ng Lipi ng Bulacan awardee, Enriquez said the presentation seeks to
inculcate the significance of the country’s heritage, culture and history,
particularly the life and heroism of Hen. Goyo in time for the celebration of his
150 th birth anniversary to help ignite and keep the fire of patriotism burning in
the hearts of the youth today.
The Kabesera, under the leadership of its president, Gemma Santos, daughter of
former Bulakan town school principal and book author Mariano Santos
conceptualized the “Goyo@150: PARA sa BAYAN” musical play to keep the
memory and the spirit of the sacrifices of Del Pilar and his unsung heroes troop
members remembered today, fifty years later after the first dramatization of their
heroism.
“It is our desire that the heroism of Del Pilar remain alive and a become a legacy
these days and for the next generations to come. Through this presentations, we
wish to inspire the youth to follow the patriotism of Del Piiar,” Santos said.
According to Garcia, the script focuses on the dedication and commitment of the
young general and his troops in leading the battles to defend the country.
Translating the meaning of the script in today’s life, he said, is the encouragement
to ignite and keep the torch of heroism burning to all Filipinos. “Ang kabayanihan
ay nasa puso at nasa utak, wala sa bulsa tulad ng ipinamalas ni Hen Goyo.
Manatili sana sa bawat isa ang kabayanihan para sa bayan at para sa kapakanan
ng lahat at hindi pansarili lamang,” Garcia added.
The casts aged 5-51 years underwent a workshop with Enriquez, Garcia, well-
known director Danny Garriz and perfected the acts and the musics through a
regular rehearsal at the old Ycasiano-Enriquez house in San Jose, Bulakan,
Bulacan. Carlo Virano, a former theatre actor serves as the narrator and
choreographer while Joel Bagay, Moi Aniag and Robert Cruz are in-charge in the
music. Michael Dungca, also a stage actor serves as the stage director.
On Sept. 6, the whole production staged the “Goyo @150: PARA sa BAYAN”
familiarization tour in the exact places of battles of the young general and his
troop in Bulacan— Kakarong de Sili in Pandi, inside the San Rafael church, Battle
of Quingua in Plaridel and at Gen. Gregorio del Pilar Bulakan municipal town
plaza.
The Para sa Bayan casts led by twenty-seven year old Theo Angelo Doon and
thirty four year old Era May Tolentino are active theatre actors under the
mentorship of Enriquez who hail from Bulakan, Obando and City of Malolos and
all voluntarily attend the regular weekly rehearsals on a volunteer basis. Proceeds
of the tickets for the musical play given to specific donors and at P3,000 each for
the public will be used for the establishment of Bulakan Culture and Heritage
Community Center (BCHCC).
According to Kabesera Chairman former Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Pena, BCHCC will be the home of the town’s rich
culture and history being the birthplace of Hen. Goyo, Marcelo del Pilar, Deodato
Arellano and other heroes of our country and the stories of our province heritage
that are needed to be preserved for the next generations to come.
Also, the funds to be generated from the presentation will be used for the
printing of “Bulacan Yan” book, a compilation of the inspiring rich stories,
photographs and other memories in Bulakan town being the previous capital of
the province that will further nurture love towards Bulakan. The book is authored
by former Kabesera President Perfecto “Boy” Martin.
Hen. Goyo was born in San Jose, Bulakan on Nov. 14, 1875. A monument was built
in the place in his honor. — PR
