ELLE Velasco as Josephine Bracken
In celebration of Jose Rizal’s 150th year, the Rotary Club of Los Baños presented “Tu Dulce Estrangera.” A play written by three-time Palanca Awardee Layetta P. Bucoy, a faculty staff at UPLB Dept. of Humanities and directed by my brother, veteran actor/director Ding Navasero, it was recently presented at the Seacra Hall at UPLB.
The play is a soliloquy featuring the character of Josephine Bracken, as she tries to write about her life while being confused by the ghost of her former lover, Jose Rizal. Josephine Bracken was played by Elle Velasco.
She reminisced about when she met Rizal in Hong Kong at 15 years of age – that her life was full of rumors that must be answered – that her father was an Irish soldier who had a baby with a Chinese woman.
Their second meeting occurred in Dapitan. By then, she had already changed a lot, no longer just the industrious and resourceful 18-year-old young woman Rizal once asked to marry.
In the play, she fought as a katipunera, walking on bloodied feet. She demonstrates her abilities as a sharpshooter, but accidentally shoots Rizal. As she apologizes, she realizes she cannot hurt a ghost. Prior to her death, she argues with Rizal about truths that eventually devour her.
“Tu Dulce Estrangera” will also be shown by the Rotary Club of Pagbilao, Quezon on August 13, 7 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Academy theater. Those interested to sponsor the show in their localities may text or call Ding Navasero at 0947 389-3474 or e-mail ding_navasero@yahoo.com.
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