CHRISTMAS PRAYER FOR HUMILITY

CHRISTMAS PRAYER FOR HUMILITY

Eternal Word,

you became flesh and dwelt among us,

because of your great love for humankind.

Though you were God,

you humbled yourselfout of love for your creation,

being born in a lowly dwelling,

to a meek and chaste Virgin.

Give us your grace,to practice humility,

following your example,

and the example of your servant and Mother,

the Blessed Virgin Mary. Amen

David Bennett

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

CHRISTMAS PRAYER

The feast day of your birth resembles You, Lord

Because it brings joy to all humanity.

Old people and infants alike enjoy your day.

Your day is celebratedfrom generation to generation.

Kings and emperors may pass away,

And the festivals to commemorate them soon lapse.

But your festivalwill be remembered until the end of time.

Your day is a means and a pledge of peace.

At Your birth heaven and earth were reconciled,

Since you came from heaven to earth on that day

You forgave our sins and wiped away our guilt.

You gave us so many gifts on the day of your birth:

A treasure chest of spiritual medicines for the sick;

Spiritual light for the blind;The cup of salvation for the thirsty;

The bread of life for the hungry.

In the winter when trees are bare,

You give us the most succulent spiritual fruit.

In the frost when the earth is barren,

You bring new hope to our souls.

In December when seeds are hidden in the soil,

The staff of life springs forth from the virgin womb

St. Ephraim the Syrian (AD 306-373)

PARA SA BAYAN: A MUSICAL PLAY

PARA SA BAYAN: A MUSICAL PLAY
SYNOPSIS

PARA sa BAYAN (PSB) is a poignant story of a family who mirrors the local impact of global economy as characters breathe into life their daily struggle for survival.

Tatay Serafin, the lead character talks about his sad plight working for more than a decade as an illegal migrant worker in Japan. Rice Lumyad is a senior student at the Assumption College of Davao (ACD). She is Serafin's daughter wanting of a father and whose only wish is for him to come home during her graduation day. Though this is too complicated for Serafin because of his illegal status. Lola Angelina serves as the balancing factor as she connects these two generations dear to her life who are in constant conflict.

But PSB is beyond the personal story of a shattered family brought about by migration. The musical play has a second layer that provides the weaving element of the story; a twin-backdrop conveying the sad plight of the Filipino people & of the nation and the coming-of-age of the Missionaries of the Assumption (m.a.) Sisters' struggle for social transformation as a Society of Apostolic Life.

PSB also takes a closer look how one should work for an independent country free from the clutches of foreign rule. It also takes the occasion to merit the bravery of the m.a. Sisters in their best part of herstory when they decided to establish their own missionary community in bringing forth social justice with their apostolic mission to the poor and marginalized sectors. The m.a.'s bravery and determination gave inspiration to the whole Assumption College of Davao (ACD) Community. The m.a. Sisters are living witnesses in the turbulent times of the eighties.

PSB is a social commentary. And it readily proposes other crucial alternatives on the brain drain phenomenon and labor force problem in the country. Implementing a genuine land reform will spur national industrialization whereby large scale industries will be owned, ran and operated by Filipinos-- building a stronghold to deepen the sense of nationalism and viable alternative to create more jobs that will make the eight (8) million OFWs to come home and help in the nation building. In parallel, this is a dream and a vision that Rice Lumyad and Lola Angelina holds on close to their hearts.

PSB is a one hour and a half (1.5 hrs) musical play. The libretto is written by the grand prize Palanca winner Arnel Mardoquio. The play is narrated through choral rendition of songs, music and a combination of Asian-Mindanaoan dances and creative movements.

PSB is the major creative offering of Assumption College of Davao (ACD) in its Golden Jubilee Celebration.

GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR THE MUSICAL PLAY

PARA SA BAYAN: A MUSICAL PLAY

GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. Anu-anong mga suliraning panlipunan ang inilalarawan sa palabas?

2. Anong uring pakikibaka ang hinarap ni Serafin sa kanyang pakikipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa?
3. Anong uring ama si Serafin?
4. Anu-ano ang mga katangian niya na maiuugnay sa inyong mga ama?
5. Paano ginawang makabuluhan ang buhay ng pangunahing tauhan sa kabila ng presensya ng ama?
6. Anu-ano ang mga katangian ng pagka-Assumptionista ang naipapakita ng mga tauhan sa palabas?
7. Anong tagpo ng palabas ang higit na nakakatawag-pansin sa inyo? Bakit?
8. Anu-anong mga pangyayari sa palabas ang maiuugnay sa mga pangyayari sa lipunan ngayon?
9. Angkop ba ang pamagat sa mga kaganapang ipinakikita ng palabas?
10. Anong mensahe ang ipinahihiwatig sa palabas?

11. Anong mga mahahalagang aral ang makukuha natin mula sa palabas?