by Ana Rufa Padua

Dulaang Sibol closed the month of the Most Holy Rosary as they celebrated the 44th year of Alay Kay Maria, one of the Ateneo High School traditions, on the night of October 31, 2021. 

Bukas Palad Music Ministry led the opening prayer with “Awit ng Pagsuyo,” followed by the opening remarks of Fr. Bobby Yap, SJ—president of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Fr. Bobby talked about the COVID-19 pandemic and how it led us to a time of surprises. 

“If there is one truth that really faces us is that we are really in times of surprises, in uncertainty, of ambiguity,” Fr. Bobby said. 

He also talked about how Mary’s life teaches us that our life with God is an adventure where we can only promise ourselves the two certainties: that the Holy Spirit will ceaselessly surprise us, and that God will always be there.

“Mary’s life is an open-ended ‘yes’ as it unfolds full of surprises,” Fr. Bobby said as he talked about Mary’s experiences as the mother of Jesus.

Fr. Bobby ended his opening remarks as he quoted the Song for Mary, the Ateneo Hymn, “Mary for you, for your white and blue, we pray you’ll keep us, Mary, constantly true. We pray you’ll keep us, Mary, faithful to you.” 

The speech was followed by Gabr Ramos’ performance of Stella Maris, another song that he prepared, and AJHS Teatro Baguntao’s performance of Awit Para Kay Maria by Dan Reyes and Joaquin De Los Santos that depicts how Mary continued to trust in God and remained strong even through times of hardships.

Founding moderator and artistic director of Dulaang Sibol, Mr. Onofre Pagsanghan—Sir Pagsi— followed after with a short speech about “Mother’s Day.”

“It is always such a big comfort and such a big sort of strength to know that you have such a mother,” Sir Pagsi said about Mother Mary.

“Alay Kay Maria exerts all the beautiful gentle things beside you, happy Mother’s day everyone,” he added as he concluded his speech.

Fr. Joel Liwanag, SJ enlightened the viewers on the Holy Motherhood and compared it to a child tripping or falling, then running back to his mother. He then posed the question, “what is it about mothers?”

“Mothers are women of strength. Children run back to their mothers when they get hurt not just to be comforted by their love and their care. They also run back to their mothers to draw strength,” Fr. Liwanag explained. 

Fr. Liwanag’s speech was followed by Senior High School Dulaang Sibol moderator Missy Maramara’s spoken poetry of Annunciation— a poem on courage, consent, and choice originally composed by Denise Levertov—followed by Kaiser Cortina and River Garcia’s performance of “Higit Pa Sa Buwan,” an original composition about celebrating a mother’s love. 

Spokesman Mikkel Valencia then talked about the relevance of Alay Kay Maria and how it is 

“not just a performance by Dulaang Sibol but also other choirs, performers and groups.” 

“For 44 years without fail, we gather in prayer and song as one faithful community and celebrate. An online setting will not prevent us from continuing this tradition,” Valencia said.

Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ further reflected on what Mary did after receiving her task of motherhood as he talked about Mariang Ina Ko, a piece he wrote with Sir Pagsi 41 years ago. He talked about the story being about God’s visitation and his gracious intervention in the lives of Mary and Elizabeth.

“Amidst so much suffering and hunger, we pray that we too might visit those in need, those despairing, those hopeless, those hungry, those who have lost loved ones due to the COVID-19 virus. May we visit our brothers and sisters in need and become manifestation to them of God’s compassion and God’s graciousness,” Fr. Manoling prayed. 

As the ending performance, the ladies of Dulaang Sibol SY 2022 and 2023 performed Lovely Lady Dressed in Blue. 

The program concluded with Mr. Onofre Pagsanghan, or simply known as Sir Pagsi, inviting all the viewers to serenade Mary, “Wherever you are, sing Mary a song tonight.”

Watch the replay at Dulaang Sibol’s official Facebook page: https://fb.watch/8_dz_PRAIf/.

Photo Source: Dulaang Sibol on Facebook