By Karren Jay G. Asgar

The casts of Hopevale: The Musicale delivers a powerful performance, bringing the inspiring story of faith, sacrifice, and courage to life on stage during the restaging at Central Philippine University’s Rose Memorial Auditorium on December 2 and 3, 2024.

On December 2 and 3, 2024, the highly anticipated restaging of Hopevale: The Musicale took center stage at Central Philippine University’s Rose Memorial Auditorium, captivating the hearts of all attendees.

Presented by Central Philippine University, the Hopevale Musicale was adapted from “HOPEVALE: Memories of Missions and Martyrs” by the late Atty. Rodolfo “Boy” Cabado and was originally choreographed by Edwin C. Duero in the year 2005. This year’s rendition, the production was recreated by Margaret Rose Dominado and Dr. Jose Denzil Daquiado, with Rev. Dr. Elmo Dianala Familiaran serving as consultant. The musical direction was composed by Dr. Gerardo Vicente A. Muyuela and Benny Fruto Castillon.

“It features CPU’s talented students; the majority of the casts are our own students, and I am so proud of them. Our faculty are involved, our alumni, and it is a collective undertaking of so many people who work behind the scenes to make Hopevale a beautiful gift, first and foremost to the Lord and to all of you,” CPU President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy said in his opening remarks.

The production of the Hopevale Musicale was organized by Executive Producer, CPU President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy, and Line Producer, CPU Cultural Affairs Director, Crista Sianson-Huyong. The team behind the play also includes Faith Jordan Javellana for Artistic Direction and Choreography; Joshua Jonathan Quimpo for Musical Direction; Romel Salvador N. Chiu as Technical Director & Sound Engineer; Pete Marwin & Company for Multimedia; Shey Suyo-Velasquez for Marketing and Promotions; and Siref Alfaras for Graphic Design.

“This production brings to life the inspiring story of faith, sacrifice, and courage as demonstrated by our American Baptist forebears; their legacies are deeply connected to Central Philippine University, our alma mater, which was established through the American Baptist mission that expanded the reach of the gospel in the Philippines,” Dr. Dagohoy added.

Prof. Crista Sianson-Huyong, the Line Producer, shared in an interview that the event is regarded as a major production, with significant investments made in top-tier lighting and sound systems.

“We didn’t expect to generate a profit from the outset. Our primary goal was to deliver an inspiring story to the community by restaging the Hopevale Musicale, originally created by the late Atty. Rodolfo ‘Boy’ Cabado in 2005. In this restaging, we aimed to present the story in a way that resonates with the current generation, helping them understand and appreciate the significance of Hopevale’s history,” Prof. Huyong said.

She also emphasized that technical challenges are a normal part of any theater production and are unavoidable. Despite this, the feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed deep admiration for the play, with some even shedding tears as they reflected on the sacrifices and struggles endured by the missionaries.

“The production faced numerous challenges, including a limited pool of cast members from our online auditions. During rehearsals, we had to find time slots when all the cast members could be available, especially since some of them had night classes. There were moments of doubt, wondering if the play would even be possible. But despite all these struggles, I constantly turned to prayer and placed my faith in God,” she remarked.

Some of the cast members also shared that their experience in the musicale made them realize the importance of appreciating the sacrifices of missionaries, who continued their ministry despite knowing the challenges they would face.

“Hopevale: The Musicale successfully delivered magnificent performances that wouldn’t be possible if not for the production team and actors. To the people I know that was part of the musical, a job well done indeed! I’m giving this play a 10/10,” Kaizer Villanueva Alberto wrote on his Facebook post.

In can be recounted that on December 20, 1943, the American Baptist missionaries, who were assigned to Central Philippine College, Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, Filamer Christian College, and churches of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, were executed by the Japanese soldiers who captured them in the hills of Katipunan, Tapaz, Capiz. The martyrs were Jennie Clare Adams, Prof. James Howard Covell, Mrs. Charma Moore Covell, Dorothy Antoinette Dowell, Signe Amelia Erikson, Dr. Frederick Willer-Meyer, Mrs. Ruth Schacht Meyer, Rev. Dr. Francis Howard Rose, Mrs. Gertrude Coombs Rose, Rev. Erle Frederich Rounds, Mrs. Louise Cummings Rounds, and a little boy, Erle Douglas Rounds. They died in a place they called Hopevale.

The success of this production is not only a powerful tale of survival, but also a testament to the enduring spirit of hope that forms the very foundation of Central Philippine University.