MMFF entry chronicles life and sacrifice of St. Pedro Calungsod

NACINO. Portrays second Filipino saint.

“Pedro Calungsod the Movie,” opening at the MMFF on Dec. 25, is the inspiring true story of the second Filipino saint. He was one of many sacristans chosen by Fr. Diego to assist him in his mission in the Marianas Islands, now Guam. He became the eyes and ears of the half-blind Spanish Jesuit.

Set in the 17th Century, when the Marianas was a Spanish colony, the dramatized historical film revolves around the Christianization of the Chamorros. Calungsod is martyred by taking a Chamorro spear meant for Fr. Diego, who also dies in the end.

What makes this movie interesting is the evolution of the production itself. “Calungsod” is HPI Synergy Group’s 12th production. For the first time, HPI shoots for the stars, risking a bigger production cost.

Initially, the group planned to turn down the production of this movie, because it was more interested in a sci-fi flick. But, board member Ida Tiongson was stubborn, because the evangelist in her suppressed the investment banker. She was ready to raise the funds by herself.

Call it an “accident,” but the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) approved the Calungsod screenplay.

Director-scriptwriter Francis Villacorta, a History-Pol Sci graduate of De La Salle, painstakingly researched on Calungsod even before he was declared a saint. Someone noted, “Young people today can learn a lot from the heroic life of Pedro Calungsod. Ordinary as he was, being a young catechist and mission assistant, his dedication to his work and devotion to God is inspiring!”

The soundtrack compilation includes YouTube sensation, Aldrich Talunding, Fatima Soriano, Fides Cuyugan-Asensio and lead actor, Rocco Nacino.