With the Pope taken ill, he should be isolated
For our very special presentation on our talk show “Straight from the Sky” we bring you for the first time in my 19 years in this business, a discussion on the Broadway show, “Jesus Christ Superstar” the first Broadway play by the great musical creator Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, which I first saw during my teen years in 1970. I still have my two long-play records that I must have listened to a million times. The Broadway on-stage debuted in 1971. The Colegio dela Inmaculada Concepcion also have their version directed by our dear friend, Benjie Diola who appears for the first time in our talk show as I really had difficulty accommodating his schedule.
In our talk show tonight, Benjie Diola is joined by another good friend, Philippine Air Lines Vice President Harry Inoferio who 40 years ago played the role of St. Peter, but his songs were not as many as in the rerun of “Jesus Christ Superstar” this March 12 to 15 which is being replayed due to popular demand. Actually I saw it played last December and saw Vice Governor Hilario “Jun Jun” Davide play Caiaphas with his baritone voice.
From Wikipedia, it says that this musical is mostly sung-through, with little spoken dialogue. The story of “Jesus Christ Superstar” is loosely based on the Gospels' accounts of the last week of Jesus' life, beginning with the preparation for his arrival in Jerusalem and ending with the crucifixion. It depicts political and interpersonal struggles between Judas Iscariot and Jesus that are not present in the Bible. Much of the plot centers on Judas, who is dissatisfied with the direction in which Jesus is steering his disciples.
I submit that I was still what people would call you a millennial when I first listened to “Jesus Christ Superstar”. I did not only see this musical in New York City and in fact I told Benjie Diola that his version of the song “39 lashes” was dramatically better than what they did in New York because he used a strobe light 40 years ago which was what gave the ‘70s disco scene great lighting. This is proof that Cebuanos really have talent. If I have memorized many musicals it is because I love Broadway music. For instance, “Jesus Christ Superstar” is a musical that I always play every Lenten Season and we are now observing Lent.
So watch this great show with Benjie Diola and Harry Inoferio tonight on SkyCable’s channel 53 at 8 p.m. with replays on Wednesday and Saturday same time and channel. We also have replays on MyTV’s channel 30 at 9 p.m. Monday and at 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday.
* * *
I read in the news that Pope Francis cancelled an event in Rome after meeting with many coronavirus sufferers whom he met to show his solidarity with them. It came after he kissed faces in St. Peter’s Square and hours later he coughed and sneezed after Holy Mass. He must have forgotten that 83-year-old seniors are susceptible to acquiring the coronavirus. This happened after having the Ash Wednesday Mass. The Pope, who lost part of a lung to a respiratory illness as a young man, has never canceled so many official audiences or events in his seven-year papacy.
Perhaps the Vatican doctors should have the Pope isolated because he is definitely getting colds, one of the symptoms of the coronavirus. Italy, as we know, has started to lock down cities where they suspect that you might get infected with the COVID-19 virus. With the Pope in this questionable condition, we hope and pray that he gets well very soon. I don’t ever want to see the Vatican isolate itself from pilgrims who visit St. Peter’s Square every year.
However, we read that Pope Francis is, continuing to work from his residence at the Vatican's Santa Marta Hotel and is receiving people in private, the Vatican press office said. Canceled were his two planned official audiences, formal affairs in the Apostolic Palace where Pope Francis would have delivered a speech and greeted a great number of people at the end. Again, it is better to isolate the Pope to prevent anything worse that could happen.
- Latest
