Andy Alviz & I Love Pope Francis the musical

The Pope has gone, but the memories linger on, a popular adage most appropriate for one like Pope Francis, who took the country by storm and left his footprints for each and everyone of us to remember.

It was during a rainy evening of Jan. 17 when we were negotiating our way to Makati, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines to watch a musical about Pope Francis. Our friend Marlon Pedregosa who was at the wheel promised it would be worth the rain and the traffic and that we wouldn’t be sorry. When we got there, we were welcomed by an entire delegation cueing up to watch the show that was about to begin. After the introductory businesses, the title appeared on the screen stating I Love Pope Francis – the Musical.

During the commercial break, we sought out Andy Alviz who co-directs the show with Randy del Rosario, and is involved in the musical direction, music and lyrics. As far as we know, this is the first time a musical on the controversial and well-loved Pope has been made by a Filipino musician and leader of the musical group ArtiSta.Rita.

Andy told us that he seeks to promote the traditional music of his home province of Pampanga through original compositions and by taking older songs and resetting them to a more modern beat. His best-known songs include Masayang Kabaitan and Kapampangan Ku meaning “I am a resident of Pampanga” which were the lead songs in the album of the same name.

It is through this album that Andy hoped feelings of hope and unity would be instilled in the people of Pampanga. Outside of his own music, he has done the choreography for regional productions of several musicals, including Miss Saigon and Urinetown. Andy also shared with us that the entire cast of the I Love Pope Francis – the Musical are Kapampangans and those who played priests are real priests.

Among these priests is Fr. Ted Valencia who plays the lead role of Pope Francis. Fr. Homer Policarpio plays the crucial role of the conservative priest. Fr. Jonathan Bartolome is current parish priest of Villa Julita, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Fr. Rick Luzung played Jesus Christ in the play Lulauk and is dean of studies of the Graduate School of Theology.

During our short talk, Andy confessed that there have been many invitations to stage repeats of I Love Pope Francis — the Musical at the Meralco Theater, Cebu, Baguio, Nueva Viscaya, Nueva Ecija and Rome. He told us he will work on these offers after Holy Week. At the moment, he spends time in reading the life of Jesus and the Bible for his next projects.

“I have been writing and directing for 14 years with the same people. We are like a church on stage. The new teachings of Pope Francis only affirm this,” said Andy.  

We were absolutely impressed by this artist with multiple talents. Of course, we can’t forget to thank the management of CCP for giving the use of its venue absolutely free.

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Above: Fr. Ted Valencia plays Pope Francis, who recently took the Philippines by storm. Right: ‘Pope Francis’ bids farewell to the cast of the musical shown at the CCP