'Caysasay' musical starts tour in Balayan, Batangas

First posted 09:54pm (Mla time) Oct 21, 2005
By Nestor Torre
Inquirer News Service

AFTER ITS HIT RUN AT THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines earlier this year, Ryan Cayabyab's new religious musical, "Mapaghimalang Kamay ng Birhen ng Caysasay," is going on a performance tour of Luzon, with its provincial roadshow kicking off with a special performance at the CAP Auditorium in Balayan, Batangas on Oct. 30.

The performance is especially meaningful to composer Cayabyab, who traces his roots to Balayan, and to Lorenz Martinez, who plays Juan Maningcad, the fisherman who finds the Virgin's statue in his net. Lorenz's father, Leo Martinez, also comes from Balayan and is, in fact, Ryan's cousin.

Lead Role

Also hailing from Batangas is Cocoy Laurel, who performs the musical's male lead role of Haybing, the Chinese stonemason who was miraculously brought back to life after his decapitation through the prayerful intercession of the Virgin of Caysasay.

"Birhen ng Caysasay" also stars Cheloy Dans, Tommy Abuel, Ivy Violan, Nicole David, Jane Diaz, Lou Veloso, Andy Bais and new child sensation Myka.

The musical has inspired the show's cast as well. In fact, Cheloy found her participation in the show so meaningful that she painted a new poster for the production (shown on this page).

Cheloy is a famous painter and art educator, so her decision to immortalize the "Birhen ng Caysasay" musical in a painting is deeply appreciated by everyone involved in the production, especially producer Ramon Orlina, a noted sculptor in his own right.

Generous Gesture

Cheloy's loving and generous gesture exemplifies the special bond that links the musical's cast to the production and the centuries-old religious tradition that it dramatizes.

To prepare for the Oct. 30 performance, the production's creative and technical team has been rehearsing hard, and will drive up to Balayan on Oct. 29, a day before the show, for more rehearsals at the performance venue there. (Call Baby at 043 2114-252 or 0917 628-0626.)

If you want "Birhen ng Caysasay" performed in your locality, call Ramon Orlina at 781-5918 or 749-6439.

Other cast members include Karla Pambid, Nadja Matining, Jonas Santos, Marlon Capati, Roychelle Torre, Elijah Castillo, Roy Torre, Grace Castillo, Mon Floirendo and Perry Sapelino.