HACIENDA
by Rodney Dakita Garcia
(A Musical Tribute to the spirit of EDSA)

BAYANI'S HACIENDA

At the restaurant Hacienda later that evening, Fr. Eric tells Bayani, the corrupt owner and crony, to reform his life.

SINAGTALA

Ano pa ba ang kulang mo
(what more do you need)
Lahat na nga nasa iyo
(you have everything)
Natapos ba and dapat mong gawin
[Have you finished what you have to do?]
Tahimik ba and puso mo
[Is your heart at peace?]
O di pa rin nagbabago
[Or has it remained wanting]
Kahit lahat ng yaman angkinin
[No matter how much you acquire?]
Bayani shows anger. About to charge. Odel holds him back to listen. Bayani shakes his head and takes a bottle. Begins drinking and offering to patrons. Revelry, raunchiness, drunken dancing begins, perhaps choreographed, while Eric continues to sing. Odel standing straight listening intently to Eric. Kristine watching Odel. Eric begins facing audience. ALTERNATIVE: THERESA COMES IN, DANCES, BEGS--Bayani SPURNING HER. KRISTINE TRYING TO HELP.)

Sinagtala! Harapin mo naman
[Starfire! Face it--]
Ang ilaw niya.
[Face His light]
Bituin at araw sa kanya
[stars and sun are His]
At buhay mong ito.
[and so is your life]

Ang sabi Niya'y magtulungan tayo
[He told us to help each other]
Hindi mo ba makita sa sarili mo
[don't you see it in you--]
Ang ilaw sa dilim
[the light in the darkness?]
Kaya't kung bungang-buhay
[so if the life-blossom]
Ang hanapin mo
[is what you seek]
Ang ilaw Niya'y nasa iyo
[His light is in you]
At doon nakatanim
[and there it is planted]
Sinagtala!
[Starfire!]
Siya lang ang atin pag-asa
[Our only hope]
Hindi mo matimbang ang halaga
[You cannot weigh its value]
Hanapin mo ito
[Look for this]
Sinagtala
[Starfire]

Blasts and gunfire; guests disperse. Bayani says, "I will be the first to go to Malacanang to guard my president!" Eric, Kristine and Odel remain in the restaurant.

Fr. Eric: You and Odel must decide what you must do. Odel, my brother, (Odel turns away. Eric makes for the door, but Kristine motions him toward Odel.) I know we haven't spoken to each other for so long -- I know you and I don't see eye to eye on many issues. But maybe -- before I leave -- this is the time, maybe the last time, I'll have chance to share this with you.
When we were kids, remember when we used to play baril-barilan (gun fighting) ? You would always win by sneaking up on me. You moved so quietly, so skillfully. But one day thought I could ambush you by hiding by the bench near the grotto. There used to be clinic nearby.
Odel: I remember that clinic.
Eric: It was run by Dr. Estrella.
Odel: Yes, the fugitive.
Eric: Everyone around there loved him -he would lead the singing in the church and in protest rallies - the singing physician they would call him. I remember, I waited there by the bench for you. It seemed like hours. Then I saw soldiers with clubs and guns; they entered Dr. Estrella's place, they dragged him out, beat him up and took him away. We never saw him again.
They caught me peering out from that bench and one of them took me by the nape and pulled me out like a rat from a hole --and then he pointed a gun at me and told me to keep my mouth shut about what I saw. And I was so afraid. So I never spoke up.
Recently, this past election -- I was asked to go out and help guard the ballot boxes. I took my chances and joined. We linked arms around the box, whenever the thugs would go near. We would make jokes, sing, eat together --but always watching for anyone who may snatch it. When it was time to deliver the ballot box to the official register, some men came by and started beating on us -- three of our people had to be hospitalized -- although I was pushed about, no one really hit me --maybe because of my priestly robe --but one of the men came near me as the others began smashing the box and throwing the contents into the gutter. This man came near me, and took me by the shoulder and said, "Father, don't tell the media --don't tell anyone --or else." And I looked at his face --and it was that same soldier back when they took Dr. Estrella away -- it was him, because I'll never ever forget that soldier's face -- and the fear I felt then. Again, I was quiet --till now. (Pause) People are killed in many ways, Odel. When they took Dr. Estrella away --never to be heard from again --they took something of me away also. I've always been afraid -- I'd have nightmares of that soldier's face -- and only in books, retreat and the sanctuary of the sacraments did I find peace. But all the more now -- now -- I feel I need to end this retreat. We must be in the thick of things -- back with the crowds. I must resurrect whatever dignity is left buried in me. Oh yes. I will be out there and face those tanks. And I will be freer than I have ever been.

Odel: But what good will dying do? If you want to help --stay alive. There will be a civil war. I'll take Kristine away from here. If you want, you can come with us. You know the connections I have -- they are powerful. We'll get out of this madness. This is a country divided.

Fr. Eric: No Odel. It's not. It's not divided. It's united. For the first time in ages, Odel, it is united.

Odel: The military is on them verge of an explosion! I don't know who's with whom anymore. And I might end up shooting my own friends. It is divided, I tell you!

Kristine: Stop! Why should we always be fighting?

Odel: Look. I must follow orders if they come through.

Loud shouting outside. Paramilitary guards --the same ones that harassed the sorbetero -- march in. Lightning-like flashes outside. Sgt. Ramon Andujar swaggers around the bar, takes a swig from a bottle.

Andujar: Sir! (perfunctory salute) Colonel Santamaria has ordered the arrest of Fr. Eric for conspiracy and treason.

Odel: That's impossible - Who are you--what command do you belong to? The Colonel has issued no such orders!

Andujar: The name is Ramon--Sgt.Ramon Andujar. And you are Captain Odel, are you not? The so-called hero of the southern war? (laughs with the rest of the soldiers) Well, Captain, it seems you have become too much in love to remember your top orders. (sternly) The Colonel gave you an envelop this afternoon!-( Odel looks at Kristine) I am to bring this priest to him. We will deal with you later. (guards begin to grab Fr. Eric, but Odel pushes them back--guns are drawn and cocked.)

Odel: Deal with me now, mercenary.

Andujar: Captain this is insubordination -

Odel: I don't take orders from you! You tell your Colonel I will do my duty -- Now get out! (Ramon and armed guards leave)

Kristine: (Runs to Odel's side) You can't do this, Odel. You know the Colonel's reputation. We'll never see Eric again. He's your brother -- we all grew up together. We're family here.

Odel: Where is it? The envelop. (Kristine gives him the envelop. Odel reads.) Treason? Treason, Eric! Don't you realize what this means? Orders are orders. I have my duty (short pause) --but I'm confused.

Fr. Eric: It's alright, Odel. I will pray for you.

(Dim light sets in. Odel and Eric are silhouetted in background on far opposite sides of Kristine, Eric's head bowed as in prayer. Facing obliquely downstage toward Kristine. Spotlight on Kristine. Guitar music begins, old man playing.)

Kristine:
I. NASAAN NASAAN ANG PAGKAKAISA
(where is the unity)
ANG PAG-IBIG SA BAYAN AY DI NAIBA
(love for country is one and the same)
KANYA-KANYANG ISIPAN
(each with different ideas)
NGUNI'T ISANG KASAYSAYAN
(but all with one history)
ISANG DUGO'T LAMAN
(one flesh, one blood)

II. SA IYO'T SA AKIN ANG UNANG HAKBANG
(with you and with me -- is the first step)
LUMAPIT KA NANG KAY'Y YAKAPIN KO LANG
(come closer that I may embrace you)

(Eric and Odel stepping slowly toward Kristine)

HINDI DAPAT MAHIRAP PAGMAHAL KO SA IYO
(it should not be difficult for me to love you)

KAPATID, KABABAYAN
(my brother, my countryman)
PILIPINO TAYO.
(Filipinos together)

Eric with Kristine. Odel stops. Repeat first stanza, modulated, with Eric singing duet with Kristine facing Odel who turns forward facing audience. Two spotlights -- one on Odel. Second stanza Eric alone singing. Towards end of song, spotlight leaves Kristine and follows Eric who steps slowly to Odel. Music stops.

Kristine: (New spotlight on her-- brilliant --larger. She is standing on a raised section of the floor. Fan from sidestage blows softly at her long hair. Her arms are gently outstretched--like the madonna in the grotto.)
Your duty, my love, is not to any one man, nor any leader now or hereafter, but to your country -- to its future -- to our future -- to the future of the children, sa mga bata [for the children]. Those you see playing around down the gutters in the alleys with their noses running and T-shirts torn. We were them once. Those you see spitting at the dusty sidewalks with rags in their hands waiting for the next car to park, those you see peddling at traffic lights --"Sir, sigarilyo," to the sorbeteros under the hot sun, to mothers and to old ladies --vendors --sleeping on the steps of nightclubs at two in the morning with their infants cradled in straw mats, to that old man. (Strains of NASAAN begin to play in background.) More than money -- more than title -- more than the legacy that Daddy followed orders -- orders that meant the death of those who never deserved to die -- and the death of your own conscience. You cannot hide behind that uniform, Odel. We all have our uniforms to wear. I in my colegiala dress, Eric in his robe, and you... We have all been hiding behind them too long. Whether you know it or not --you are free. We are free -- to murder or to create. And creating our own selves, we wrench away from this oppression, and create a new nation.

Spotlights off. Fan off. Music stops. Stage lights on. Mario comes in. Crowd noise outside; flashing lights outside.

Mario: Captain, those armed guards left--they said they'll be waiting at Colonel Santamaria's headquarters. Should I take Fr. Eric? The Colonel is waiting.

Mang Domeng: (Standing) Let them take me too, Captain Odel. Torture took my sight, tore at my mind and my memory, until there was nothing left but an old blind man afraid of the echoes of his own songs, afraid that one day, he would wake up and suddenly see again. That day has come. And I'm not afraid anymore. You can take me. But can you round up the millions of people out there who have come out of their blindness? How are you going to herd them all back into the hacienda?
There is really only me, I am your fugitive, Captain. I am Dr. Estrella.
(Kristine runs to him and hugs him.)

Odel (to Mario): Wait outside, soldier. Make sure no harm comes to the civilians --Stand ready.

Mario: Yes, sir. (Leaves in a rush. Lights out when he leaves. Spotlight on the three. Eric upstage. Odel and Kristine downstage on opposite sides.)

Odel: I had my tanks moving down EDSA earlier this evening, toward the camps. When we neared the intersection, a sorbetero, an ice cream vendor of all people, put himself and his cart in front of me -- in front of my tanks. We rumbled forward, but he did not move, he did not budge. We came to a few yards from where he stood, and I ordered the tanks to stop. The gunners trained their cannons directly on him. Even from where I was, I could see his eyes. I've seen the look in men's eyes right before I see them die. This was the first time I've ever seen anything like this. His eyes were smiling, they were smiling and there was no fear. I noticed a young girl behind him. She took his hand and stood beside him. Then others joined them. An old woman, some children. One of the children, a little girl (takes flower from his back pouch) came up to me and gave me this flower. I've always faced any contingency with clear thought. In battle, I've always been one step ahead of my enemies. But this evening, I didn't know what to do. I ordered my tanks to back away and we took another route by way of the Hacienda. I came in to see you before I made my assault. But now --(shakes his head)
Kristine: (goes near him) Odel. (Look at each other, music begins.)

Odel: GIVE ME TIME

Kristine: THERE ISN'T ANY LEFT TO SPARE

Odel: GIVE ME TIME TO THINK ABOUT THIS LONG AND HARD

Kristrine: BUT MY DEAR, COURAGE STARTS WHEN YOU BEGIN TO CARE

Odel: (falling on one knee, Kristine with him)
YOU HAVE BROUGHT ME TO MY KNEES
AND I'VE LET DOWN MY GUARD

(Couple is holding each other intensely. Eric over them, hands in prayer)

Kristine: AND I SEE IN US THE BLESSINGS OF THE FUTURE.
THERE'S SO MUCH TO HOPE FOR AND BELIEVE.

Odel: I SEE IN YOU THE WAY
IT COULD TURN OUT TO BE

Kristine &
Odel: WHEN WE ALL ARE FREE!

Fr. Eric: (arms outstretched as if in blessing)
LET US GO, LET US GO AND MEET THE DARKNESS WITH OUR PRAYERS
WITH OUR SONGS AND WITH OUR CANDLES
LET US TAKE OUR STAND SOMEWHERE

(Couple rises -- all three now facing audience)

Kristine: THROUGH THE NIGHT
THROUGH THE ROARING OF THE CANNONS WE'LL BE THERE
WE WILL FALL DOWN ON OUR KNEES
BUT WE'LL REACH UP TO THE STARS

Odel, Kristine, Eric sing refrain -- with chorus in background. Theresa, Sorbetero, Balloon man and the mothers and old women, soldiers, nuns, children, laborers, white collar workers, and others come out from stage left and stage right.

AND I SEE IN US THE BLESSINGS OF THE FUTURE
THERE'S SO MUCH TO HOPE FOR AND BELIEVE
I SEE IN YOU THE WAY
IT COULD TURN OUT TO BE
WHEN WE ALL ARE FREE.

Mang Domeng: THERE'S STILL TIME TO FIND EACH OTHER
TIME TO UNDERSTAND
SOW THE SEEDS, HARVEST AND GATHER
CHILDREN OF THE MOTHER LAND

Sorbetero and Theresa:

HEAR THE CHURCH BELLS RINGING
FROM MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA
Everyone: PROCLAIMING LIBERTY!
(Sorbertero rings ice cream bells.)
AND I SEE IN US THE BLESSINGS OF THE FUTURE
THERE'S SO MUCH TO HOPE FOR AND BELIEVE
I SEE IN YOU THE WAY
IT COULD TURN OUT TO BE
WHEN WE ALL ARE FREE!

Repeat "And I see in us.." Karla, Theresa and other street urchins go offstage and give members of audience flowers. Joyous peal of church bells.

Rodney Dakita Garcia
copyright 1991

EXCERPTS:
Martial Law Begins | Fourteen Years Later | Rest on Me | Captain Odel and Kristine | Where are You | Bayani's Hacienda