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Musical Senakulo

Manila Church Ushers In Holy Week With ‘Musical Senakulo’ 

The Musical Senakulo is made possible by the participation of professional and amateur actors.

Holy Week preparations of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro in Sampaloc, Manila for their Senakulo production are in full swing. This time, instead of having the traditional set-up, they presented the life of Jesus Christ through songs that came to be known as Musical Senakulo.

Making a Musical Senakulo

According to the musical director, Genesis Echon, they have started preparing for the much-anticipated performance at the beginning of March. 

“Challenging po ang produksyon lalo na at galing tayo sa pandemya, almost two years din po na nahinto ang senakulo namin… Nagsimula po kami first week of March, ganoon po kaiksi ang preparasyon namin, sa awa ng Diyos, sa biyaya ng Diyos, napaghandaan naman po namin,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN.

Echon proudly shared that all the songs used in the production are original compositions.

Kagaya po ng isa sa mga kanta namin na ‘Sa Harap ni Pilato’, ito po ay opera chorus. Kagaya po sa Hardin ng Gethsemane at Pagtangis ng mga babae, mayroon siyang Hebrew touch… Mayroon din po tayong swing at rap ang dating,” said Echon.

According to director Harley Dimaano, despite the new approach, the production has ensured that the actors could effectively express the right emotions to portray the story of the Senakulo better.

“Iyong Senakulo ngayon, hindi lang siya pagtuturo, naging refresher siya kung ano ang character mo. Binigyan namin bawat isa ng character, hindi siya apostol ka lang, madla ka lang. Itinuro namin kung saan nila huhugutin ang kanilang mga character,” he said.

Since they are a community theater, Dimaano pointed out that its performers are a mix of professional and amateur actors.

Mayroong iba na naka experience na o umarte na (sa teatro) pero mostly first time nila o yung kanilang experience ay Senakulo. Kapag napanood mo sila, para silang professional kasi masasabi kong talagang it’s the Holy Spirit na talagang nagturo sa kanila kung ano ang gagawin,” explained Dimaano.

Jerrick Rotap was happy and grateful to have the chance to play the role of Jesus Christ.

Natupad po talaga lahat ng dinasal ko kay Lord kaya talagang blessed po ng pakiramdam. Sa mga kabataan ngayon, huwag kayo tumigil na mangarap, mag-aral kayo ng mabuti pero huwag ninyo kakalimutan ang panginoon dahil isa iyan sa pinakamahalagang aspeto ng buhay ninyo,” he advised.

According to Jacqueline Marzan Tolentino, head of NSPS Biblical Apostolate and Formation of the church, they hope that people will be brought closer to the church’s teachings through the musical senakulo.

Sa mga panahong mahirap tayo, may mga problema, nawa’y maalala natin na ang Diyos ay nandiyan lang para sa atin. He is our healer, He is our provider, He is our savior,” she said.

Banner Art Paulo Correa

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