Lorenzo, a Two-Act Play, is based on the life of Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila, a devoted man who struggles to overcome his guilt and shame for leaving his family in the Philippines, but makes a decisive choice to face his destiny in 17th century Japan. This play is set in Nagasaki during the Shimabara Rebellion in 1637, a rebellion protesting economic hardship and government oppression. It later took a religious front. About 27,000 people joined in the rebellion. The Japanese government of Shogun Iemitsu used fumi-e to identify christians and to force them to renounce their faith. If they refused, they were tortured and then executed.