Dinner with Rajah Humabon and His Forty Wives
PROGRAM:
Arrival of Guests (Warm up with music, dancing, singing, networking)
I WELCOME………………………………………………………………………………………….........Myrna D. Santos
II A Cultural Presentation “The Christianization of Rajah Humabon … Ludy Resurreccion
People’s Theater/On the Spot/ Everybody is an Artist (Gongs and Kulintang Music playing)
- Ludy narrates historical background
- Rajah Humabon sits (blow the horn to signal beginning of the celebrations)
- Harah Humani chooses Wives for Rajah Humabon
- The Bride goes to dressing room, to be dressed
- A page carrying umbrella sits the bride to the front
- Harah Humani sings
- Lapulapu performs Kali Silat
III Presentation of the Banquet
Nutrition Education…………………………….............................................Myrna D. Santos
IV Blessing of Bounty ……………………………………………………………………............Fr. Marabe
A Special Christmas Party…………………………………………...................Jeffrey Abatayo Ministries
- Elme Jeff sing
- Christmas Carols
- Joyce Dance
V Presentation of Divine Child Foundation……………………………………............Myrna D. Santos
VI Presentation of Las Islas Filipinas……………………………………………........Bro. Aka Tito de Vera/ Executive Director
VII Volunteer Appreciation/ Gifts & Raffles …………………………………..Dr. Francia de Vera/PCCSA Executive Director
Thank You
Cultural Theme:
We are re-capturing the Voices of our Illustrious Historical Figures,
We are re-connecting ourselves to the Truth in the Events of our Pre-colonial Past,
We are re-kindling the pride in Who We Are and What We have Achieved, and
We are re-igniting the Love of Country, our Culture, and our Heritage.
“The vision of the future is rooted in the image of our past, in our views of the present, and in our pride of ourselves.” (Dr. Felipe Landa Jocano)
“Dinner with Rajah Humabon and His Forty Wives”
A Christmas Tableaux Celebrating Filipinos’ Pre-Colonial History and The Birth of Christianity in Las Islas Filipinas
Sponsors:
Divine Child Foundation, Inc.
Philippine Community Center Services for Aging
Date: December 22, 2019 Sunday at 4:00pm – 8:00`pm
Venue: Ilocano Center, 185-14 Hillside Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11423
Historical Events Background (from “Las Islas Filipinas: Man of Destiny, Book 1, Vols. 1 & 2: The Story of Visayan Enrique, First Circumnavigation of the Globe and the Voyage of Admiral Ferdinand Magellan. A Historical Novel,” by Cristo Rey Alunan.)
March 16, 1521 – “After more than 3 months traversing the expansive and hazardous Pacific Ocean, Ferdinand Magellan and the Armada de Maluco crossed it with only 3 of his ships. The Santiago was lost in Brazil and the 39 crewmen were re-assigned to other ships. The San Antonio deserted and went back to Spain with 55 men. After a disastrous encounter in Islas de Ladrones where they killed 7 inhabitants on March 6, 1521, they went through the island of Rota and on to the Archipelago of San Lazarus on March 16, 1521. The Spanish conquistadores meet with the natives. They planted the Christian cross on land.”
March 31, 1521 – “… Easter Sunday, the first mass was celebrated in an island named Mazaua by eyewitnesses. The First Mass was celebrated in the Philippines.”
IN THE COURT OF RAJAH HUMABON
“Today, Rajah Humabon (Aka Tito de Vera) will select a new wife. He has 40 wives, but to ensure perpetuity of his lineage, he wants to have a son who can ably succeed him. The Royal Entourage enters and his Court: Rajah Colambu, Rajah Siau, Hara Humani (Dr. Francia de Vera), Hara Amihan, and escort. Rajah Humabon sits on a chair, with his Harem. Others sit on the mat.”
“The Spanish Entourage enters: Admiral Ferdinand Magellan with his entourage. He sits on a velvet chair, his officers, 3 captains, Antonio Pigafetaa, Visayan Enrique and Chaplain Padre Pedro de Valderrama, and his sacristan are standing behind him.”
“Kappa Malong Malong” Kulintang music, drums, and gongs are played with dancers. Followed by singing of “Dahil Sa Iyo” by Hara Humani, as signaled by Rajah Humabon.”
“The Court of Rajah Humabon in Cebu Waits Patiently for the Visit of Lakan Lapu-Lapu and his family. There is a sudden commotion when a Native with a Conch shell horn trumpets the arrival of Hara Lai-Lani presenting her 3 lovely daughters, Princess Agana and her younger sisters, Jasmin and Maya, to Rajah Humabon. Hara Lailani & her daughters go up the stage.
“Enter the able leader of Mactan, Lakan Lapu-Lapu (Wally Pacumio), brother of the 3 sisters, who begrudgingly resented the tradition of offering one of his sisters to be another wife of the Rajah. Escorted by his guards, Lakan Lapu-Lapu goes in with his warrior-escort and stands behind Rajah Humabon. Then Rajah Humabon signals Hara Lailani and her daughters to dance and Princess Agana sings.
“After their graceful performance, Rajah Humabon chooses Princess Agana to be a member of the Harem. He asks her to sit next to him. Hara Humani signals Princess Agana to take her place beside her. This act seals the Alliance between Rajah Humabon of Cebu and Lakan Lapu-Lapu of Mactan.
“In ceremonial performance, Lakan Lapu-Lapu demonstrates his formidable skills in Kali Silat (or Arnis de Mano dance & movement). In response, Magellan asks Visayan Enrique to do likewise, exhibiting their skills in swordsmanship.
April 10, 1521 – “… a week after their arrival, Ferdinand Magellan asked permission from Rajah Humabon to allow him to bury 2 of his men, making Cebu a Christian cemetery. The solemnity of the Christian funeral made a deep impression on the inhabitants. On April 12, 1521 Rajah Humabon consented for Ferdinand Magellan to establish a Factoria, a permanent trading base in Cebu.
April 14, 1521 – “… the historic Christianization, conversion and baptism, take place. Padre Pedro de Valderrama, Padre Angelo de Bustamante with their sacristan baptize the Royal Entourage of Rajah Humabon’s Court. Rajah Humabon is named “Carlos,” after the reining King of Spain; Hara Amihan is named “Juana,” after the mother of King Carlos; Hara Humani is named “Isabella,” (aunt of King Carlos); Rajah Siau is named “Felipe,” (father of King Carlos) and his wife is named “Maria,” (aunt & mother-in-law of King Carlos). Some 800 new converts were given their Christian names.
“At the baptismal ceremony, Ferdinand Magellan gives the icon of the SANTO NINO to the local queen, Hara Humani, as gift for being converted as Christian. Padre Pedro de Valderrama and Padre Angelo de Bustamante bless the crowd, assisted by the sacristan.
“While baptism is taking place, music “Ave Maria” is sung. Hara Humani (Dr. Francis de Vera) signals for the Santo Nino song “Batobalani,” to be sang with Sinulog Dance.”
Thus was born the CHRIST CHILD, the SANTO NINO, in Las Islas Filipinas, on April 14, 1521.
This is the FIRST CHRISTMAS STORY ever in the history of Las Islas Filipinas.
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(Instructions: All characters in native, pre-colonial costumes and in Spanish conquistador costume will come to Center Stage while NARRATOR announces each Historical Character he/she represents. All costumed characters will remain in center and form a TABLEAUX near the big Table of Food.)
Peoples Theater
Rajah Humabon..................Bro. Aka Tito DEVERA
Hara Humani......................Dr. Francia DEVERA
Hara Amihan......................Evangeline Lazaro
The Wives..........................Joanne Dolman, Kitty Lin
Julia Reid Adelan
Susan Thater
Thelma Andaya
Violy Ibarra
(All women and men dressed up with malong and native pre-colonial costumes contributed to the ambiance of the tableaux)
Magellan............................Ryan Walsh
Lapulapu............................Wally Pacumio
Lutgarda Resurreccion............Program Director
Myrna D. Santos....................Producing Director
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