Abtik Pa’s Kilat, play about Cebu’s hero Leon Kilat, welcomes month of literature

By: Immae Lachica - 6 years ago

Bag-ong Teatro Junquera cast after their final show last April 2 for the play Abtik Pa’s Kilat. | Contributed photo

CEBU CITY— A two- hour stage play that depicted the start of the insurrection of the Cebuanos welcomed the month of literature here in Cebu.

Abtik Pa’s Kilat, is a stage play about Cebu hero Heneral Leon Kilat and his bravery in leading the 1898 Cebu revolution or the famous Battle of Tres de Abril.

Bag-ong Teatro sa Junquera is a community based theater group that was formed by Palm Grass Hotel solely to perform Abtik Pa’s Kilat.

The play was shown last April 1 and 2 at the University of San Carlos Downtown Campus in the Fr. Albert van Gansewinkel Hall.

Bag-ong Teatro sa Junquera is composed of college students from University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of San Carlos, University of the Philippines-Cebu, University of Cebu, University of the Visayas, Salazar Institute of Technology, Asian College of Technology, Velez College, Abellana National School, Cebu City National Science High School, City Central School, Tejero National High School, Zapatera Elementary School and some youth from barangays Kamagayan, Cogon Ramos, Kalubihan, San Antonio and Sta. Cruz.

Jed Nicole Alerta, 19, a first year college student from the University of San Carlos taking up Bachelor of Physical Education, took on the stage as one of the main characters and as the director.

“For me, this is really something nostalgic, kay sa uban wala man sila kaila ni Leon Kilat and the past, this is an eye opener for the youth here in Cebu” he said.

(For me, this is really something nostalgic because other people don’t know who Leon Kilat is and the past. This is an eye opener for the youth here in Cebu.)

For two months, 34 members practiced day and night for the performance that they would not just amaze their viewers but would also educate them about the rich history of Cebu.

“Through this play we would like the youth to know that we cannot move forward if we do not look back,” said Alerta./dbs