Aranzazu: Debosyon at Kasaysayan, has an unusual storytelling. In an interview with the playwright and director of the play, Bro. Jerson Rey C. Guiwa, called his creation a “play within a play.”
The story of Aranzazu: Debosyon at Kasaysayan is seen through the eyes of a deaf and hard-hearing protagonist whose metaphor stretches from and in relation to years of political and spiritual status quo of not only the church community but the Philippines in generality.
The musical play is written in two Acts and divided into three Vignettes- 1716-1816; 1816-1916: and 1916-2016. The three-part story is interpreted by the three Co-protagonists. A Historian, a critique to what is written and learned. An Actor, an appreciation to what is art and artistic license. A Devotee, a representation and heart of the play. Together, they will try to write (or rewrite) our history, our story.
Though an intensive research has been done to build a story, it will not revolve around the history alone. The history serves only as a guide, neither setting it aside nor cherished.
Like most of the other written plays, the play wants to have a heart of its own because the writer believes that the story can be presented by touching the hearts of the playgoers, thus, the devotion. The satisfaction and enthusiasm of devotion come from the stories of the people.
The time is running out. Would they create a justifiable act of artistic judgement? Can they encapsulate the 300 long years into a two-hour play? How would they find a perfect ingredient for an imperfect recipe of faith and life? Are these enough for the Parish seeking for the most coveted crown of a Virgin, a stamp of approval pleading to pedestal?
Rejoice and be happy! For the town built by, with and through rocks is opening its curtain.
Strong, Hard and Everlasting!
Lester de Castro
Writer, Website Team - Media Ministry
To those who know him, no words are required. To those who do not, no words will suffice. Lester R. de Castro is a “scholar ng bayan” at Polytechnic University of the Philippines taking up Accountancy, Business, and Management. Lester belongs to his batches’ "Cream of the Crop" dominating to a remarkable vision of the future. Currently, as a website writer of DSPNSDA’s Media and Public Information Ministry, the talents and skills he received from the Almighty above are being used and shared not only for his own good but for the good of others as well. He believes that in life, God must be the center who guides us towards the right path.
