THE year was 1999 when Leo Echegaray became the first Filipino to be executed through lethal injection. That same year, the musical “Nasaan si Hesus?,” written by Lourdes “Bing” Pimentel and directed by Nestor U. Torre, was started.

“Suddenly I realized at that time, bakit ba gusto ng taong patayin ang isang tao na may kasalanan?,” Bing asked. “Ang mabigat na kasalanan ay dapat talagang maparusahan. Panginoon ang nagbigay ng buhay, Panginoon ay dapat ding kumuha ng buhay.

“Siya ang dapat magparusa sa may kasalanan. Kung kaya’t si Nestor Torre who was close to me, was convinced to make a musical satire. Nakakatawa, but at the same time, kailangan ma-prick ang mga conscience ng mga nanonood.”

With Nestor convinced to work at the helm of “Nasaan si Hesus?,” Bing also went out of her way to get the green light from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to get the approval of the Catholic Church.

Bing approached Monsignor Hipolito and CBCP president at that time was Archbishop Oscar Cruz. The latter told Bing that CBCP doesn’t support musicals.

“But I was so passionate in asking for their approval,” Bing said. “I got the script from Nestor and submitted it to the CBCP. After one week, I received a call. They told me, ‘We never do this.’

“But CBCP loved the script. That linked the doors of CBCP to musical plays. I just produced the play and wrote the songs.”

“Nasaan si Hesus?” has staged more than 80 successful performances all around the country, all the way to Visayas and Mindanao.

Last year, Bing got a message that “Nasaan si Hesus?” would be turned into a big screen musical. “Gusto ni Lord na ipalabas namin sa sine, so more people can watch,” she said. “But I know turning it into film was super impossible.

“For a person like me, who does not know how to make a movie. Nestor passed on in 2021. So how can we turn ‘Nasaan si Hesus?’ into a movie? Just lead the way and I’ll do anything, I received that message.”

Then, Bing she met director Dennis Marasigan, who became the director when Bing’s music was presented by CBCP. “I asked Dennis if he knows somebody who writes a script for the big screen,” Bing shared. “He nodded and told me, ‘Marunong din po akong sumulat ng script.’

“Since I don’t know Dennis, I told my assistant, Clarice, to Google his background. I was told he is an award-winning director. Then, when I told Dennis I wanted to produce a movie musical for ‘Nasaan si Hesus?’ She brought his friend, Lou (Gopez) to me.

“Dennis agreed to make “Nasaan si Hesus?” into a musical film. “I like that,” Dennis said. “We will make it. Oh my God, Dennis didn’t even ask me if I have the budget to make a movie. Kung may pera ako or wala. That is how I work. I work by faith.”

Dennis helped gather the singers who will play the singing parts in the musical film. Rachel Alejandro, Geneva Cruz, Jeffrey Hidalgo and Rachel Cabreza.

“I haven’t seen those artists nor heard their names,” Bing admitted. “But God sent me the person who has the heart and the mind because the movie is my expression of thanking the Lord for giving us the blessing when you sing the song.

“When you act, you don’t do it because you love to or it is a job. You do it because it is an offering to God. We are all very fortunate because God assigned us to do one thing as an offering and praise to our Lord.”

Their meeting happened in 2018. Dennis checked the original script made by Nestor Torre, then talked to the latter’s assistant director, Rito Asilo.

“I started working on the script for the big screen adaptation,” Dennis shared. “Even before I finished the script, the pandemic happened. So the project was stalled. When the restrictions became more lenient, we tried to go back to the project.

“We decided to make the story contemporary and all these happened after the pandemic. So we decided to put a flashback. But the story will focus on present time.”

Lou and Dennis decided to negotiate with the artists who will play important roles in “Nasaan si Hesus?” Lou officially became the casting director and producing partner of Dennis.

Playing Roger is Jeffrey Hidalgo. The roles of Jeffrey’s friends were given to Rachel Alejandro and Geneva Cruz.

Geneva asked if she can play the role of the nun, Sister Remedios, who wants to help street children. Portraying Brenda, the wife of Roger, is Rachel Alejandro.

Rachel earlier gave her nod to join the musical for the big screen. “She really loves to be a part of the production. We always asked her availability when she will be in Manila next. We decided to work around the schedule when she will be in Manila again.

Playing the daughter of Roger and Brenda is Rachel Cabreza, finalist of “Tawag ng Tanghalan” Season 1.

There are 17 singing roles in “Nasaan si Hesus?,” which is treated as an indie musical. Musical director and arranger TJ Ramos has updated “Nasaan si Hesus?” for the digital age.

The other stellar roster includes Janno Gibbs as the priest, Marissa Sanchez as Mrs. Varona, grocery owner, Gianni Sarita of “The Voice Kids.” There are many more talented performers from stage, recording and big screen.

“Nasaan si Hesus?” is being eyed to be released in time for the Lenten Season and released before the mid-term elections.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio