14 street children cast in Cebuano play

They were not in the streets to play, but to audition for a Cebuano short play.

More than 30 street children of Tulunghaan sa Dalan auditioned for the Cebuano play entitled Kanto Paraiso, but only 14 of them qualified.

“The only basis to me during the audition is the interest of these kids to act, to learn and to perform. This is their chance to showcase their talents and to perform before a large crowd,” award-winning director Claudio “Al” Evangelio said.

Evangelio said Kanto Paraiso depicts a story of street children who found love and care in a shelter home during Christmas Eve.

Evangelio who has written and directed several plays such as Calamba Joe, A Chorus Line, Prince of Egypt and Dream Girls, among others, is embarking another journey of directing.

“I always do something that has never been done before. And now, I will take these kids into the stage. They will not be street children anymore, they will be actors and will be totally transformed,” he said.

During the audition last Sept. 22, the children were oriented about the play and copies of the script were also distributed. The rest of the kids who were not chosen will still be accommodated in the play, he added.

“My strategy in this play is to be strict. Being strict is the only way they could learn. They will be successful in their respective roles if they will be sincere and will listen to me,” he said.

Alvin Pagobo, 17, who will play John Prince, one of the leading casts, said he can’t explain the mixed emotions he felt especially during the announcement of the casts.

“I am excited and a little bit nervous if I can really do it. Being one of the lead characters, it is a big responsibility to deliver the lines correctly and flawlessly. But I assured to myself that whatever happens I will do it until the finish line. I will make my family proud of me,” Pagobo said in Cebuano.

He added that all 14 of them were thankful for the opportunity Evangelio gave them.

“Dili tanang bata matagaan ug higayon nga moarte atubangan sa daghang tawo. Dako pa jud kaayong pasigarbo para kanamo nga mga street children (Not all children is given this kind of opportunity to perform before the crowd. This is a pride for all of us street children.),” Pagobo said.

“Kanto Paraiso is set to launch this December. As of now, we do not have a fixed venue yet. I do hope that our government will help us find a venue in order for these kids to perform,” he said.

Evangelio learned about the street children in Tulunghaan sa Dalan from an article published in Cebu Daily News in the Community section last Sept. 3.

Tulunghaan sa Dalan was founded in June 27, 2009 by Catalina Jacela from Cebu City together with Task Force Carabao, a German-based group headed by their chairperson Helga Range and her husband Dr. Jochen Range who committed to support the project.

Task Force Carabao funds and supports self-help projects in the Visayas through grants, like the production of soya milk by Jacela.

Tulunghaan sa Dalan previously held classes on the ground near the Redemptorist Provincial House. It was in July 2011 that Tulunghaan sa Dalan was transferred to the Redemptorist Multipurpose Center and started to have classes twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday). /Contributed by Tulunghaan sa Dalan