Synopsis of a Theology of Life: A Baleten-on Play


(The following is a synopsis of a play shown inside the Balete Church during one vesper eve of the Fiesta of San Rafael Arcangel sometime in 1997) 


Part I.   Ro Paraiso sa Balete

      A. Narrative:
            Ro mga katigueanggan hay nagahambae nga ro damgo it Dios hay nagakatuman ag nagakahanabo.

          Kato anay, ro Dios nagdamgo. Anang guindamgo ro Banwang Balete.  Sa umpisa, ro Banwang Balete hay owa guid it kaayosan ag owa it kabuhi. Madueum rong palibot samtang imaw hay nagalibot-libot sa ibabaw kung tubi(being read in total darkness).

            Ag sa anang damgo, ro Dios naghambae: “MAGHAYAG”. (full light is switched on baring the children in tableau for their interpretation of the Canticle of Sun)

B.    Canticle of Sun: rong saot it tinuga.

C.    Narrative:
            Sa damgo it Dios, nagligad ro an-um ka adlaw umpisa ku anang pagtuga it tanan nga butang sa Banwa it Balete. Nahamuot-an guid ra tanan it Dios sa baylo nga nalipay guid imaw.  Ag una sa hardin nga nahamtang sa tunga it banwa, anang guinpaistar rong Baleten-on nga ana guid nahamuot-an sa tanan nga butang nga makit-an ag indi makit-an (being read while a couple of children scatters petals of flowers on the aisles as well as a soft instrumental music is being played).

D.   Kahanga-hanga: rong saot it pagdayaw.
            (nearing the end of the choreographic dance, a couple of heckler rise from among the spectators to meddle with the dancers)

Part II.  Rong Handum nga mangin Dios

E.    Tableau:  Social Situation
*                        Focus on the Spirit of Competition
“guapa ako, maeaw-ay ka”, “mayad ako, bulok ka”, maaeam ako, bungkoe    ka”, “sexy ako, matsa bariles ka”
·         Focus on Sexual Exploitation
            “Wow, hanip sa puti.  Ano baea a sabon karon ay?”

F.    Tableau:  Political Situation
·         Focus on Vote Buying
“Ham-an it abi indi ig batunon?”, “Grasya eon ron”, “Alkansi man kita kon  indi it himuslan”

G.   Tableau:    Economic Situation
·         Focus on Land Grabbing
                “Amon a ra halin pa sa among kalolohan”, “Si Papa a’t abi hay maabtik. Ngani sori eun lang sanda.”

H.   Tableau:  Ecological Situation
·         Focus on Excessive Logging
            “Makwartahan a’t ro kahoy ngara. Pangtung-its ag pang Tanduay.”

Part III.  Paghimakas kung Kristianong Katilingban

I.       Song: Patalastas ay Salamangka

J.      Tableau, Narrative and Song:
·         Focus on the Struggle for Integrity (SPECSE approach)
            “prayer rally—ro mga tawo hay nagatikang-tikang nga may mga placard nga daea: ‘eugta para sa tanan!’, ‘pangabuhian para sa kubos!’, ‘pag-ieingmanghuran’, ‘tamang edukasyon’, etc.
·         Sa damgo it Dios, ro paghimakas it Banwang Balete nga mangin isaeang ka katilingban nga diosnon hay naangot guid sa andang pagkilaea nga si Jesu-Kristo hay ro bugtong nga Anak ku Amay, ro guintugyanan ku Amay sa pagpahauli kung tanan nga butang sa Banwa it Balete (plucking of guitar “Hangkat sa Kristianong Katilingban” serves as background music).
·         Song: Espiritu ng Panginoon
            scene: Jesus walks amidst the crowd (those who were having  a prayer rally).  The people notice him and begin to pay attention to what his trying to say.  They sit down on the floor as he begins to sing: “Sumasa-akin ang Espiritu ng Panginoon…”


Part IV.   Rong Hangkat sa Kristianong Katilingban

K.    Narrative and Sabayang Kanta:
·         Sa damgo it Dios, anang guintawag ro Baleten-on pareho nga guintawag man nana si Cain ag guinpangutana: “Siin baea si Abel?  Ag si Cain nagsabat: “Ham-an kakon mo imaw guina-usoy? Ako baea ro tagbantay ku akong igmanghod?” 
·         Si Cain hay nakasabat eon sa pangutana ku Dios.  Pero ro Baleten-on hay owa pa.  Ano baea ro anang mangin sabat kara?
·         Song of Solidarity: Hangkat sa Kristianong Katilingban
       Ro tanan nga miembro ro rayang pagpahayag hay magatipon sa stage nga nakakapit-bisig ag nagakanta.  Nearing the end of the song, ro grupo hay maga-change formation to highlight and adore the cross of the risen Christ.  Another song shall be sung as Swan Song.


Ag ro istoryia it paghimakas ku Kristianong Katilingban hay nagpadayon. 

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