‘Nasaan si Hesus?’ goes from the stage to the big screen
MANILA, Philippines — The musical, “Nasaan si Hesus?,” was staged 20 years ago under the helm of Nestor Torre, with music and lyrics by Lourdes “Bing” Pimentel. After two decades, the musical is now a major motion picture.
The project was offered to stage and film director Dennis Marasigan two years ago. However, it was stalled because of the pandemic.
When Senator Pimentel was still around, his wife, Bing Pimentel, staged a show that featured her compositions at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in 2018. Direk Dennis worked at the helm of that show.
“After that, Nay Bing told me about her musical, ‘Nasaan si Hesus?,’” Dennis shared. “She wanted to (turn) that into film and she was looking for a scriptwriter. When I told her that I also write scripts, she started talking to me about it.”
“Nasaan si Hesus?” was staged in 1999 and had many iterations through the years. “Nestor was already sick in 2018, so the last production, it was Rito Asilo who directed,” informed Dennis.
“We started adapting the script of ‘Nasaan si Hesus’ but pandemic came and the project was stalled. We seriously revived it in 2023 already. We started post-pandemic and we decided to adapt the story to the present day.”
The other themes of “Nasaan si Hesus?” became contemporary and episodic, with review as its structure. The stories were about the street children, minorities, workers.
“The challenge was how to adapt the musical into film, so we would have a structure that’s for film,” Dennis granted. “We had many revisions as we were working until finally, we finalized a script that was acceptable to Nay Bing.
“While writing it, we were casting already. Some of the characters are the same and some of the situations, as well. But the structure is different from the play. Most of the songs were intact and we added at least two new songs that I requested.”
His producing partner for “Nasaan si Hesus?” is Lou Gopez. “Since Jeffrey Hidalgo is Lou’s talent, we decided to get him,” said Dennis. “From there, we decided to get Rachel Alejandro and Geneva Cruz. Whoever we could get who would be willing, we signed them up.”
They later had open auditions for certain characters. “Then, we went for the availability of the artists when shooting date comes near,” Dennis said. “Once you assembled the main cast, you have to work around their schedules.”
There are 14 singing roles in “Nasaan si Hesus?,” which is treated as an indie musical. Musical director and arranger TJ Ramos have updated “Nasaan si Hesus?” for the digital age.
The cast is composed of stars who have made a mark in the fields of singing and acting. Aside from Rachel, Geneva and Jeffrey, the stellar roster includes Janno Gibbs, Marissa Sanchez, Gianni Sarita of “The Voice Kids” and Rachel Gabreza, finalist of “Tawag ng Tanghalan” Season 1. There are many more talented performers from stage, recording and big screen.
“That was how we also approached the artists,” Dennis allowed. “So it helps that we are working with artists that we know, pulling in goodwill, too.
“In terms of the shooting, we don’t have the project of big musicals, that’s why we have indie budget, too. We are trying to limit the budget of the film without sacrificing the project.”
They are starting filming outside Manila, in a film ecology village in Bacoor, Cavite, this weekend. The shoot will be for over a period of one month. “So the expenses and costs will be less expensive,” Dennis said.
“It’s similar look, but in Manila, we will spend a lot in terms of location, rental, security, permit. We are not going on lockdown. We have been doing a lot of pre-production before we start the shoot.
“We have production support service in the location, caterer, security and people that we can get for walk-on roles. We also have to make sure that we comply with the Eddie Garcia Law, which allows a maximum of 12 to 14 hours of filming for cast and crew.”
“Nasaan Si Hesus?” is bankrolled by Filipino production companies Balin Remjus, Inc. and Great Media Productions, Inc.
The story of the musical depicts the difficulties of the residents of a community during these modern times when pressures, temptations, distractions and drastic changes in lifestyles and attitudes have put people’s spirituality to test.
The interweaving lives of the characters are made more relatable and heartfelt through the songs created by Bing Pimentel, wife of the late Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr.
Bing, as she is fondly called, is a civic leader who is a natural composer. She is also the lady behind the PasaLord Prayer Movement for the country.
“Our purpose in making this film is to disseminate information and inspiration,” said Bing. “The film is a form of offering of praise, thanksgiving and petition. Salvation is near if we open our hearts and listen. We want to show everybody that God is always here.”
“Nasaan si Hesus?” was first staged in 1999 and re-staged in the 2000s. The play was mounted more than 80 times for the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and other audiences in different parts of the Philippines, including the CCP.
“The movie will tackle the complexities, difficulties and temptations faced by different individuals and how individuals can maintain faith in today’s world,” said direk Dennis.
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