By: Franco “Cocoy” Pelayo
To celebrate the gift of family, leaders and members of Couples for Christ (CFC), including its ministries, gathered at Space at One Ayala on June 17, 2026, to witness an outstanding musical play entitled Star of 45, featuring the talents of members of the community.
Before the play began, the community came together for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Most Rev. Bartolome G. Santos, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Iba, Zambales. In his homily, he emphasized the importance of family life and the vital role of the family in society and in the Church.
As the play unfolded, attendees witnessed the story of a family of five—a married couple and their three children, the youngest of whom is a child with special needs. The story followed their journey from courtship and marriage to the struggles and victories they experienced as a family.
The play beautifully portrayed that family life is not always easy, even from the very beginning, as some people may oppose marriage. It also highlighted how work can become an obstacle to family life when it hinders couples from building genuine relationships with each other and with their children.
As the story progressed, it revealed other challenges that families often face, including the struggles of children that parents may sometimes fail to notice. In the play, the eldest daughter experienced bullying from her classmates, while the second child lived a double life—appearing to be a good child before his family while seeking acceptance from his peers and pursuing his romantic interests. These circumstances lead to a series of unfortunate events: the eldest suffered anxiety attack, and the second child, after being rejected by his love interest, got involved in a car accident.
Despite these challenges, the story offers a message of hope by showing that the love and acceptance of family can heal wounds and mend broken hearts. One of the highlights of the play is the youngest child, who, despite being differently abled, deeply loved her parents and siblings. Her love became a source of strength that helped the family move forward. The play also underscored the importance of the people surrounding the family—extended family members, friends, and the community—who provided emotional and spiritual support during difficult times.
Toward the end of the play, it was revealed that the child portraying the youngest daughter is herself a child with special needs who has been able to live a meaningful and fulfilling life because of the love and support of her family. More importantly, the story reminded the audience that the true star of every family is not any individual member but our Lord Jesus Christ, who must always be the center and source of strength of every home.
Overall, the presentation not only entertained the audience but also touched the hearts and souls of those who witnessed it. The attendees left the venue filled with joy, hope, and renewed inspiration to move forward and to bring their own families—and other families as well—closer to becoming one with our Lord Jesus Christ.
