A live musical play will highlight the life and heroism of General Gregorio Del Pilar in connection with his 150th Birth Anniversary as Kabesera Inc. formally launched “Goyo @150 Para sa Bayan” recently.
“Goyo @ 150 Para sa Bayan” is a production of Kabesera, an organization that promotes the history of Bulacan in partnership with the Dangal ng Bulacan Foundation Inc. and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
The musical play, will have its gala premiere on November 8 at the Hiyas Pavilion in Malolos City and on November 24 and 25 at the Assumpta Academy in Bulacan, dramatizes the courage and bravery of Gen. Goyo.
Goyo and his brigade, “Brigada del Pilar,” demonstrated how they could defend the country through the battles they won, including their defeat where they all fell and lost their breath before American troops at the Battle of Tirad Pass in Iloos Sur on December 2, 1899.
The musical play is a remake of the fifty-year-old “Goyo @ 100” stage play that was produced and presented by Kabesera members Bong Enriquez and Noli Garcia during their college years in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the hero’s birth at the Bulacan town plaza in 1975.
Enriquez, who became a well-known production director in Bulacan, is the overall director of the musical while Garcia wrote the original script.
According to Enriquez, he and Garcia made some changes to the script to bring it into line with modern times.
A total of 35 people or casts in the said musical play will be performed by approximately 35 cast members who will play the role of General.
Goyo, his girlfriend Remedios, his mother, Maestrong Sebio, Loring, Maestrong Sebio’s girlfriend served as members of his brigade.
Enriquez said the performance aims to instill the importance of the country’s heritage, culture, and history, particularly the life and heroism of Gen. Goyo.
The Kabesera, led by its president Gemma Santos, conceptualized the “Goyo@150: PARA sa BAYAN” musical play to preserve the memory and spirit of the sacrifices of Del Pilar and his unsung heroes troop members who were remembered after the first five years of the drama of their heroism.
“We hope that Del Pilar’s heroism will remain alive and become a legacy for these days and for future generations.”
According to Garcia, the script focuses on the dedication and commitment of the young general and his troops in leading the battles to defend the country.
Heroism is in the heart and in the brain, not in the pocket like Hen Goyo.
“May heroism remain in everyone for the nation and for the welfare of all and not just for themselves,” Garcia added.
The proceeds from tickets for the musical will be used for the construction of the Bulakan Culture and Heritage Community Center (BCHCC).
According to Kabesera Chairman former Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Pena, the BCHCC will be the home of the rich culture and history of the nation as the birthplace of Gen. Goyo, Marcelo del Pilar, Deodato Arellano and other heroes of our country and the stories of our province’s heritage that need to be preserved for future generations.
Also, the funds raised from the performance will be used for the printing of the book “Bulacan Yan”, a compilation of rich stories, photos and other memories of the town of Bulacan as the former capital of the province that will further increase the love for Bulacan.
