BULAKAN, Bulacan— Kabesera Inc, the heritage, culture and history group of Bulakan officially launches on Monday, 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 7p.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 Ilocos 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 150th 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 Pilar,” Santos said.
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. (UnliNews Online)
