Juan Picas: The Boy Who Looked for God(SCRIPT)

(Music plays in the background)

Narrator: the hill people of Bukidnon tells of a story of a boy who was born in such a way we cannot imagine…

Juan Picas: I am Juan Picas, born half of myself. I had only one eye… one ear… one arm… one leg… one-half of a

body. My mother wept when she first saw me, so did my father. (sobs of despair in the background)

Mother: Why is our son born like this?

Father: I do not know… all I know is that I love him as he is.

Mother: I will love him no matter what.

Juan Picas: This is my story, this is my journey…

(Background music plays)

Narrator: Despite being born HALF of HIMSELF, Juan Picas grew up a happy child filled with love and kindness

from his parents. But one day, he decided to explore the world outside his home…

Children: (Shouting in fear, some shouting from afar) what kind of creature are you? Monster!

(Children throw stones at him)

Juan Picas: Why what is wrong? Why do you throw stones at me and call me monster?

Child: Because you are a monster! Monster! (Running away)

Children: You do not belong here!

Juan Picas: I am not a monster, I am Juan. (runs away crying)

Narrator: Some hooted, some called him in their kindest, odd… some even throw stones at him but they always

miss for they hit him in the missing half of his body. Off, Juan Picas went to his parents…

Juan Picas: Tell me mother, why am I like this?

Mother: My son, I cannot tell…

Father: only God will be able to answer such question.

Juan Picas: Then I’ll go and look for God, to ask Him why I am like this.

Father: whatever you wish my son, do it…

Mother: Yes, however hard it is for us, may God bless your journey. (in tears)

Narrator: with his parents’ blessing, Juan Picas went looking for God to ask him his question. Over the mountains,

across the seas, meeting strange men and creature…

First he met a horse-like creature with a short tether, asking…

Horse 1: Why however hefty and strong I am, I am tethered with a short rope? Will You ask God for me?

Juan Picas: Sure, I will!

Narrator: Next, he met a horse-like creature held with a long rope, but thin and unhealthy looking asking..

Horse 2: Why, no matter how long my rope is, I am thin and sickly?

Juan Picas: Sure, I will!

Narrator: Then, he met a rich man at the crossroads asking…

Rich man: I heard you are looking for God to ask him a question… will you ask Him for me? You see, I am rich

and filled with good deeds. I help the poor, feed them, give away what I have… I want to know, what is my reward

in doing such?

Juan Picas: Yes, I will!

Narrator: Lastly, he met a man near a falls, hiding behind a large rock asking…

Man behind the rock: Yes, boy… I heard your name is Juan Picas and you are looking for God to ask Him a

question… will you ask Him for me?

Juan Picas: Sure, what shall I ask Him for you?

Man behind the rock: I am a sinful man… I have done great evil my whole life… will you ask Him, if He can still

forgive me, and what is my reward in doing so many wrongs?

Juan Picas: Sure, I will.

Juan Picas: Day and night I travelled, stumbling along… covering miles in a day, going around circles… my

strength often failed me, and my heart with fear; but constant in FAITH, at last I reached God.

Juan Picas: At last, I found You!

God: Juan Picas, I have always been around you.

Juan Picas: I have so much to ask…

God: Yes, I know… the horse with the short tether knew best how to make of his situation, and so he was hefty. The

horse with the long tether did not profit from his instincts, so he was deprived of them. The robber by the waterfalls

knew his wrongdoing and seeing the error of his ways will make amends and reap his rewards with God. But the

man at the crossroads who worked for a reward, showing off his deeds, judging men and condemning those who did

not do as he did, was a vain performer and did not really serve God; he had already reaped his paltry-size prize and

would not see him.

Juan Picas: And what is to become of me? Will I always be what I am? Do I serve him, part of myself that I am, the

other half not there?

God: I am glad you had come to me at last. You used your my mind well. You followed your heart well, too. Don’t

you know that God rewards those who, in every way, seek him through all their days?

Be whole… Be one whole body.

Juan Picas: So it was. But now, as a reward for seeking God, I was whole at last, I sought then I found. I journeyed

and arrived.

I am Juan Picas, born half of myself. It is not only I who was born this way but all of us. But, because I

looked for God, I was made whole. For only HE can MAKE US WHOLE.