MANILA, Philippines?I have no desire to go home to God yet. I am very grateful for every day that is given to me. I have the expectation that something big is [going to] happen and somehow God is preparing me for that,? says Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ.

Reuter, still full of quick wit and humor, is 92 years old.

He has lived in the Philippines for more than 70 years?a witness to how the country has survived its many trials. His memories remain vivid and sharp.

Opening scene

An incident just before World War II: A little boy climbs up the roof and threatens to jump off. No one is able to help him?not a psychiatrist, the police or the firemen.

Finally, a young school teacher comes, looks up at the boy and calls out at him, ?Carlito, come down here! I wanna give you a kiss!? The boy hurries back down and gets his kiss.

That?s how the play ?Our Children?s Children? opens. And it?s a true story, too. Written and directed by Reuter, ?Our Children?s Children? will herald the return of a cultural renaissance at St. Paul University Manila as the school nears its centennial celebration in 2012.

?It?s a play that captures the spirit of the school. When I wrote the play I didn?t put the accent on the academic side. St. Paul never meant to turn out academic geniuses, but to lead a girl to the fullness of life. [The play shows] the motherliness of the nuns and teachers, and the effects they had on the students,? says Reuter.

Like a baby

?Our Children?s Children? tells the story of SPU Manila. The production starts from the time the early French sisters decided to open a preschool in 1912 to the time it graduated a mere three women in high school?all of whom decided to become nuns.

From the time the school was razed to the ground during the Manila Liberation, through the Martial Law years and the 1986 Edsa Revolution, up until the present time, ?Our Children?s Children? presents the school?s history?and that of the country around it?as seen through the eyes of the priest. Real-life people are also portrayed in the play, such as singer Celeste Legaspi.

Reuter writes, without fail, at 3 a.m. each day. It took him a mere six days to finish this play, which runs a good one hour and 45 minutes.

?The play is born like a baby. I think it out first from the first line to the last line, and then I write it. I don?t know the first scene until I know the last scene, and I don?t write the first word until I know the last word. And that?s why when I begin to finally write, I write it real fast,? he says.

More than 60 cast members have been cast to play over 100 roles. All are students of SPU Manila, or children of its faculty and staff from other branches that offer primary education.

?Papa Bear?

Reuter, however, did not write his character into the play, although he will be referred to as Papa Bear by one of the characters.

Why the nickname Papa Bear? During a trip to Seattle, USA, for a congregation, Reuter recalls that just when he was about to retire to his room, he found three members of the congregation sleeping on three separate beds in his hotel room.

?I said to Sr. Sarah Manapol (SPC), ?We?d be like the story of Goldilocks, with the bears sleeping,?? Reuter says. That?s how his moniker, Papa Bear, was born.

Reuters says he doesn?t much follow US politics anymore, though he?s heard the US ?might have its first black president.?

Voted an Honorary Filipino Citizen by the Philippine Senate in 1996, Reuter, although so far away from his homeland, says he has no plans of revoking his US citizenship. It?s not that he doesn?t think of the Philippines his home.

During the war, he witnessed so many young Americans fighting against the Japanese, American soldiers risking their lives. It was then, says Reuter, that he knew what it felt like to have a country.

?That?s the beautiful thing that comes with time? you have the memories that other people don?t have. I like working with young people [because] I learn something new all the time. I just
keep going. If your mind wanders, you might as well go to the pre-departure area and wait for your turn to go home,? he says.

?Our Children?s Children? opens with a Press Night on Nov. 8 followed by a matinee show on Nov. 9. Three shows are open to the public: Nov. 14, 7 p.m.; Nov. 15, 7 p.m. (Alumni Night); and Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m. (Gala Night). Matinees for students are scheduled Nov. 10, 14, 15 and 17. Call Fe at 5361473 or Susan at 5234259 for inquiries. Tickets are very affordable at P100 (matinee) and P200 (gala). Sponsored by ABS-CBN, Hyundai Asia Resources and the Fr. Reuter Golf Classic-Paulinian First, all proceeds will start the Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ Professorial Chair in Drama.