A Cultural Reawakening: Youth-led Musical Captivates Modern Interpretation
Rinoa Kate dela Cruz
Navotas City’s Teatro Obrero returns to the local stage with a musical show that combines the stories of the past and today’s social issues, last March 27, 2024.
Entitled “Nazareno,” the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Jose de Navotas catered approximately 2,000 audience who all watched the story of Jesus days before he was crucified.
John Christian Rose, the Producer for this year’s Senakulo, explained that adding a representation of contemporary issues would help the people to connect to the lives of the apostles and hopes to deliver the untimely message of Jesus’ presence among Filipinos.
“Nais namin ipahiwatig dito na anumang panahon ang nagdaan, mapanahon man ito ng mga apostol at kasalukuyang panahon, si Kristo ay kapiling pa rin natin,” he said.
Paul Timothy Diño, the student who played the role of Jesus for two consecutive years, further expounded that this year’s theme, suggested by their director Ernhest Patrick Gatchalian, was inspired by the comeback of the Black Nazarene during Traslacion after the pandemic.
“During our brainstorming, bigla nalang nag-pop yung idea from Direk Ernhest na ang title ng senakulo this year is "Nazareno: Senakulo 2024" yung idea ng pagsalya at paghila during traslacion is what we want to highlight. Kahit mahirap ang mga pinagdaanan natin during the pandemic, nariyan palagi ang Mahal na Poong Hesus Nazareno para sa atin,” he explained.
Because of this idea, Rose believes that the most significant achievement of Teatro Obrero to date is the ability of their musical to inspire youth participation in Catholic-driven activities, evident in their diverse casts who came from Makati, Sangandaan, Manila, and Malabon.
“Ang biggest achievement na nakuha namin simula nung nagsimula ito ay ang mga kabataan na patuloy na umuunlad sa kanilang buhay dahil sa tulong at gabay ng Teatro Obrero. Baguhan ka man o hindi, lahat tayo ay pantay-pantay rito na sama-samang natututo,” he said.
Moreover, Diño shared that he fell in love with playing his role because it allowed him to showcase his talent while embodying the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
“What made me audition again as Jesus is yung fulfillment na naibibigay nito sa akin from rehearsals to the actual play. I fell in love with the role and hangga’t kaya ko and ng aking time, I would still participate sa Senakulo,” he said.
When asked about their thoughts on the interests of youth in the next show, Diño and Rose believe that the annual Senakulo can be an avenue for the youth to strengthen their devotion and enhance their skills for their community.
“This is a great time para makapagnilay tayo sa ating buhay at sa buhay ni Jesus. Isa rin 'tong avenue para magamit natin ang ating mga skills to partake in the evangelization,” Diño said.
Reflecting on the successful event, Rose commented that Teatro Obrero wouldn’t be able to deliver such a fruitful show without the help of the people behind the Diocese, who played crucial parts during the preparation of the Senakulo.
“Hindi kami makakapagtanghal ng ganitong uri ng senakulo ngayong taon kung wala ang suporta ng Dambana ng San Jose de Navotas, ang ating Rector at Parish Priest na si Rev. Fr. Rufino Yabut, kasama ang Parochial Vicar na si Rev. Fr. Angelo Ajero, Parish Pastoral Council sa pangunguna ni Sis. Rhoda Balcita, at ang ating napakasupportive na CELF Coordinator na si Sis. Violy Perez, sila ay hindi nag-atubiling suportahan ang mga kabataan para maisadula nang buong husay ang Nazareno: Senakulo 2024,” Rose ended.
Copyedited by: KZ Galvan
Navotas City’s Teatro Obrero returns to the local stage with a musical show that combines the stories of the past and today’s social issues, last March 27, 2024.
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| Photo Courtesy of Summer Antiado |
Entitled “Nazareno,” the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Jose de Navotas catered approximately 2,000 audience who all watched the story of Jesus days before he was crucified.
John Christian Rose, the Producer for this year’s Senakulo, explained that adding a representation of contemporary issues would help the people to connect to the lives of the apostles and hopes to deliver the untimely message of Jesus’ presence among Filipinos.
“Nais namin ipahiwatig dito na anumang panahon ang nagdaan, mapanahon man ito ng mga apostol at kasalukuyang panahon, si Kristo ay kapiling pa rin natin,” he said.
Paul Timothy Diño, the student who played the role of Jesus for two consecutive years, further expounded that this year’s theme, suggested by their director Ernhest Patrick Gatchalian, was inspired by the comeback of the Black Nazarene during Traslacion after the pandemic.
“During our brainstorming, bigla nalang nag-pop yung idea from Direk Ernhest na ang title ng senakulo this year is "Nazareno: Senakulo 2024" yung idea ng pagsalya at paghila during traslacion is what we want to highlight. Kahit mahirap ang mga pinagdaanan natin during the pandemic, nariyan palagi ang Mahal na Poong Hesus Nazareno para sa atin,” he explained.
Because of this idea, Rose believes that the most significant achievement of Teatro Obrero to date is the ability of their musical to inspire youth participation in Catholic-driven activities, evident in their diverse casts who came from Makati, Sangandaan, Manila, and Malabon.
“Ang biggest achievement na nakuha namin simula nung nagsimula ito ay ang mga kabataan na patuloy na umuunlad sa kanilang buhay dahil sa tulong at gabay ng Teatro Obrero. Baguhan ka man o hindi, lahat tayo ay pantay-pantay rito na sama-samang natututo,” he said.
Moreover, Diño shared that he fell in love with playing his role because it allowed him to showcase his talent while embodying the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
“What made me audition again as Jesus is yung fulfillment na naibibigay nito sa akin from rehearsals to the actual play. I fell in love with the role and hangga’t kaya ko and ng aking time, I would still participate sa Senakulo,” he said.
When asked about their thoughts on the interests of youth in the next show, Diño and Rose believe that the annual Senakulo can be an avenue for the youth to strengthen their devotion and enhance their skills for their community.
“This is a great time para makapagnilay tayo sa ating buhay at sa buhay ni Jesus. Isa rin 'tong avenue para magamit natin ang ating mga skills to partake in the evangelization,” Diño said.
Reflecting on the successful event, Rose commented that Teatro Obrero wouldn’t be able to deliver such a fruitful show without the help of the people behind the Diocese, who played crucial parts during the preparation of the Senakulo.
“Hindi kami makakapagtanghal ng ganitong uri ng senakulo ngayong taon kung wala ang suporta ng Dambana ng San Jose de Navotas, ang ating Rector at Parish Priest na si Rev. Fr. Rufino Yabut, kasama ang Parochial Vicar na si Rev. Fr. Angelo Ajero, Parish Pastoral Council sa pangunguna ni Sis. Rhoda Balcita, at ang ating napakasupportive na CELF Coordinator na si Sis. Violy Perez, sila ay hindi nag-atubiling suportahan ang mga kabataan para maisadula nang buong husay ang Nazareno: Senakulo 2024,” Rose ended.
Copyedited by: KZ Galvan