Cebu's Teatro Rosita Inaugurated as Sacred Space for Evangelization Through Theatre
In a profound evening that masterfully intertwined faith, memory, and the transformative power of the performing arts, Teatro de San Pedro Calungsod celebrated a historic milestone with the solemn blessing and inauguration of Teatro Rosita. This new venue stands as a permanent home and sanctuary for one of Cebu's most cherished instruments of evangelization through theatre.
A Dual Celebration of Faith and Ministry
The venue was solemnly blessed by His Excellency, Most Rev. Alberto S. Uy, the Archbishop of Cebu, affectionately known as Archbishop Abet. The occasion carried a powerful dual significance, marking not only the inauguration of this new artistic sanctuary but also the 33rd Sacerdotal Anniversary of Archbishop Uy. This created a moment of profound gratitude, celebration, and spiritual renewal for all attendees.
The evening drew together a distinguished and warmhearted assembly, including:
- The clergy of Cebu
- Generous benefactors whose vision and financial support made Teatro Rosita a reality
- Friends, guests, and family of Archbishop Abet
Together, they bore witness to a unique convergence where sacred ministry and the performing arts met in joyful celebration.
A Tender Tribute: Named in Honor of Rosita Velez Ancajas
Teatro Rosita carries a name that is both intimate and sacred. The theatre was named in honor of Rosita Velez Ancajas -- the beloved mother of Msgr. Agustin Ancajas, the visionary priest-playwright and driving spirit behind Teatro de San Pedro Calungsod.
This naming represents a tender and deeply meaningful tribute -- a son's enduring love, immortalized within the walls of a space devoted to faith and artistic beauty. In naming this theatre after his mother, Msgr. Ancajas weaves the personal and the pastoral into one seamless act of dedication. It serves as a poignant reminder that behind every great ministry lies the quiet, foundational love of a mother -- a love that deserves to be remembered not in whispers, but in the living, breathing language of art.
A Theatre Born for Evangelization and Mission
Teatro de San Pedro Calungsod is no ordinary theatre company. Named after the blessed Cebuano martyr, it stands as a theatre dedicated specifically to evangelization -- a company whose stage functions as both its pulpit and its canvas, with all stories told in service of the Gospel.
Rooted firmly in Christian values, the company holds the conviction that truth and beauty are not merely artistic ideals but sacred gifts entrusted to those who tell stories. With Teatro Rosita as its new sanctuary, the company now possesses a permanent home from which to deepen its mission -- a place where artists and the faithful alike can gather, reflect, and experience transformation.
The theatre is envisioned not merely as a performance venue, but as a sacred creative space where the arts serve as a vital bridge between the human heart and the divine.
An Inaugural Evening of Hope: Mga Dula sa Paglaum
The inaugural evening was graced by a landmark theatrical presentation titled Mga Dula sa Paglaum (Plays of Hope), written and directed by Msgr. Agustin Ancajas. The production presented four distinct plays:
- Sa Kahamugaway o Kapig-ot
- Dance of the Black Swan
- Finding My Light
- Homecoming
This artistic offering deeply moved the audience and established a meaningful tone for what Teatro Rosita will represent in the years ahead. As Teatro de San Pedro Calungsod expresses in its guiding philosophy: "The theatre is where we tell the story of a God who loves. Every play is a prayer. Every stage is holy ground."
