REVIEW: Painting Big Pictures with Small Brushes on "Br. Benilde The Musical"
by Gerone Baladhay
Sacrifice and simplicity are two words and realities being drowned in today’s world that is full of apprehensions in making life choices, which Layeta Bucoy’s Br. Benilde The Musical did not fail to celebrate.
With a stirring overture that tackles the innocence and power of dreaming not only for one’s future but on how one’s dream for himself is also a dream for the betterment of others; the musical opens the life story of the venerated La Sallian brother- St. Pierre Romancon a.k.a Bro. Benilde whose colorful youth is tinted gray with the conflicts of following one’s calling in a society plagued by war, poverty and lack of education. Torn between sacrificing his family and following his vocation, along with impediments about his stature, Benilde was able to overcome them all with his passion of prayer that jumpstarted his journey of defeating the big evils of the world such as indifference and ignorance with small acts of compassion and diligence.
The musical, with its mix of upbeat and entrancing songs, amusingly vivified the sincerity and divinity of simple human experiences: making choices, breaking stereotypes, teaching the unteachable, cooking meals and washing clothes with great love; and never-giving up on other’s capacity to do good no matter how small it is.
Over-all it has done well in illustrating Benilde’s life as accurate and as fragile as it should be. His holy stubbornness, strict yet fair approach in discipline and son-mother complex added dimension and depth to what others would normally see as a typical biography of a saint.
Director Tuxqs Rutaquio is successful in bringing a tale of the past into today’s public sphere that often neglect the power of giving chances and following one’s heart. Commendable are the powerful cast and ensemble fronted by Al Gatmaitan, playing the lead role, with the Coro San Benildo and St Benilde Dance Company, who tirelessly sang and danced the dialogues with riveting emotions which will surely make your feet both stomp for joy and stand still in sorrow. A befitting commemoration of the College of St. Benilde’s patron and namesake for its 30th Anniversary.
The play is being staged at the SDA Theater, School of Design and Arts Campus of De La Salle- College of St. Benilde with 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM shows on January 23-26, 2019; January 30-31, 2019; and February 1-2, 2019.
With a stirring overture that tackles the innocence and power of dreaming not only for one’s future but on how one’s dream for himself is also a dream for the betterment of others; the musical opens the life story of the venerated La Sallian brother- St. Pierre Romancon a.k.a Bro. Benilde whose colorful youth is tinted gray with the conflicts of following one’s calling in a society plagued by war, poverty and lack of education. Torn between sacrificing his family and following his vocation, along with impediments about his stature, Benilde was able to overcome them all with his passion of prayer that jumpstarted his journey of defeating the big evils of the world such as indifference and ignorance with small acts of compassion and diligence.
Over-all it has done well in illustrating Benilde’s life as accurate and as fragile as it should be. His holy stubbornness, strict yet fair approach in discipline and son-mother complex added dimension and depth to what others would normally see as a typical biography of a saint.
Director Tuxqs Rutaquio is successful in bringing a tale of the past into today’s public sphere that often neglect the power of giving chances and following one’s heart. Commendable are the powerful cast and ensemble fronted by Al Gatmaitan, playing the lead role, with the Coro San Benildo and St Benilde Dance Company, who tirelessly sang and danced the dialogues with riveting emotions which will surely make your feet both stomp for joy and stand still in sorrow. A befitting commemoration of the College of St. Benilde’s patron and namesake for its 30th Anniversary.
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