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

Martial Law Begins

1972. In a park in Manila. The beginning of martial law. Sgt. Andujar exhorts his soldiers.

what a day -- what a start it is
we are young and the world is waiting for our youth
what a time what a time to be alive
when the game of life's afoot

the world is ours for the taking
the dream is ours for the dreaming
we have strength to grab all this and more
for what are we in power for!
what are we in power for!
[dance --but while soldiers are beginning their song --children begin to wake up and start watching them --and start playing bari-barilan -- shooting each other with toy guns]

children:
patentero- --luksong tinik--
tumbang preso-- tagutaguan
awagawan base --ikaw'ng taya
baril-barilan --patay ka na

soldiers [reading off the letters]:
Newsmen, judges, teachers and writers, doctors and poets and professors and lawyers,
and all who claim their mission
is to be the loyal opposition
make sure to state you position
And make it loud and make it clear
The better we can find and bring you here

Young Eric hides behind a bench and sees the soldiers beating up Dr. Estrella. Andujar grabs Eric and threatens him with a pistol. Soldiers leave.

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