Cebu City residents were treated to a two-and-a-half hour presentation on the life of Buddha entitled “Siddhartha, the Musical” held at the SM City Cebu last Saturday evening.
The musical featuring an all-Cebuano cast is sponsored by the Fu Guang Shan Philippines which has a temple in Cebu City.
The lead role of Siddhartha who would eventually become the Buddha or “Enlightened One” is portrayed by Benjie Layos.
Clad in costumes of silk, gold and silver, the cast enacted the story of Buddha amid a white screen and photos that served as the musical’s backdrop.
The musical showed Siddhartha’s birth to parents King Sudhona and Queen Maya who ruled a kingdom in northeast India and of the prophecy that he will become a good leader and his mother death after seven days of illness
Enlightenment
The young prince Siddhartha was played by eight-year old Thomas Jacob Dañas.
The prince later married Yashodara played by Ivy Gallur but his exposure to the illness and suffering of his people living outside the palace walls drove him to leave for a journey.
Despite being assaulted with temptations Siddhartha persevered until he obtained enlightenment.
Ven Yeung Guang, head abbess of Fu Guang Shan Philippines, called on Filipino families to adhere to a life of peace and harmony.
Guang also said the Filipinos should practice Buddha’s teachings of doing good deeds, speaking good words and thinking good thoughts while helping those who are in need.
International performance
For his part Layos, who said he got the role since 2007, said the pressure is always there for him to give justice to the role.
“We have been rehearsing since February. It is also not that difficult to play the role because I know the Buddha is with us,” he said.
After Cebu, Layos said they will perform in China this Septmber.
The musical is presented by BLIA and the Fo Guang Shan Foundation.
It is based on the book The Biography of the Sakyamuni Buddha by the Venerable Master Hsing Yun who founded the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order in Taiwan in 1967.
Proceeds of the musical will go to the Fo Guang Shan Philippines Educational Fund which helps the youth in the field of performing arts.