“How could I bear a crown of gold when my
Lord bears a crown of thorns? And bears it for me!”
ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY
By Alex P. Vidal
IN a colorful and
pompous musical production, pupils of Santa Isabel College in Iloilo City and
Santa Isabel International School Inc. dramatized the life of St. Elizabeth of
Hungary at the Rose Memorial Hall in Central Philippine University (CPU) in Jaro
district, Iloilo City March 21.
Sixteen-year-old Alleah
Frances Marie Francisco played the role of the Queen, St. Elizabeth of Hungary,
who died before her 24th birthday in 1231.
Luis Miguel Alvarez
played the role of Landgrave Ludwig IV, who, at age 20, married 14-year-old St. Elizabeth
at Wartburg Castle in 1220.
They had three children:
Hermann II, Landgrave of Thuringia, and Sophie of Thuringia.
Young Elizabeth became
the patroness of Catholic charities and of the Secular Franciscan Order when
she manifested great love for the poor and suffering.
Her great popularity
resulted in her canonization four years after her death.
DIRECTION
Under the spiritual
direction of a Franciscan friar, she led a life of prayer, sacrifice, and
service to the poor and sick.
She also wore simple
clothing in a hope to become one of the poor. She gave bread to the poorest in
the land who came to her gate.
Ludwig IV died in the Crusades
after six years of marriage and she became grief-stricken.
Her husband’s family
mistreated her on suspicion that she was squandering the royal purse until she
was thrown out of the palace.
She was reinstated when
her husband’s allies returned from the Crusades owing to her son’s status as
heir to the throne.
“I love the role (that
was given to me). It was very challenging but I’m proud I was able to deliver,”
beamed Alleah.
Show producer and
scriptwriter Aldene Jose Lapating Duyag hailed Alleah “for giving justice to
the role.”
He also credited Alleah’s
“one big family for their 100 percent support of her talent.”
Rhea Borres Canong,
Alleah’s mother who came all the way from Chicago, Illinois, USA to watch the
play, said her daughter was “high spirited” when she rendered the “live” solo
song “I Dreamed A Dream” in the penultimate Scene 18.
CASTS
Other casts were: Gian
Franco Espinal as Master Conrad of Marburg, Umbriel Heather Ortega as Young
Elizabeth, Eariane Jed Quimot as Queen Sofia, Akef Arnel Ledesma as Landgrave
Herman I; Laurie Joyce Piedad, Jamellah Kate Chan, Michaela Francheska Reyes as
Three Handmaids; Paul Gabriel Gasataya as Young Herman.
The Franciscan Friars
were: Ethan Craig Inguillo, Jesse Cyrille Magno, Chris J. Oribe; Jacob Ledesma
as Young Ludwig, Rex Michael Pelobello as Adult Heinrich Raspe, Sean Brendan
Setias as Young Heinrich Raspe, Julienne Ysabelle Villalobos as Sister, Lyia
Adrianna Libanan as Aunt Matilda, Anthony John Keenan Belleza as Uncle Eckbert,
Jerdin Vince Quimot as Priest, Bernard Anton Obligacion as Ambassador to the
King, Herbert John Balasa as Castle Official.
Ludwig’s followers were:
John Marvic Tumilba, Geonell Jereza, Jose Miguel Sanson, Marc Jonler Ulay, Juan
Gabriel Haguisan.
Elizabeth’s children
were: Eiharra Anjelive Corral and Gabriel Louise Urbino.
The beggars were: John
Michael Mella, Joryn Oribe, Kjetil Josth Acielo, Kaiser Prince Villanueva, Josh
Ryan Reynoso, Pawandeep Singh Aytan, Chan Hyuk Jeon, Francis Gielor Castro.
Lora Mae A. Gabawa was
the narrator.
The show, directed by
Avelino Dayang Jr., started at 4 o’clock in the afternoon until 7 o’clock in
the evening.
Executive producers
were: Angel De Leon, Jr., president of Santa Isabel College; Dr. Nanette De
Leon, school principal; and Angel Theodore De Leon, school administrator.
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