A matter of preference

“DOUBT.” Good performances and engaging themes.

What movies and songs do priests like? I asked my old friend from Davao, Ramon Coronel, who performed with Gintong Silahis, the cultural arm of Samahan Demokratikong Kabataan (SDK).

I was interested in Mon’s choice because he has a very cosmopolitan taste, having worked in Belgium and Taiwan. He was a radical, and now, he’s a religious! When I asked about his “favored” (as opposed to “favorite”) movies, his reply: “Doubt” and “Agnes of God” – which aren’t necessarily my idea of “religious” movies.

Why those two movies? “Good acting and engaging themes,” he answered. He pointed out that he didn’t like Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of Christ,” because “it focuses on a sadistic God and a masochistic Christ.”

Classics

Now, what religious music does Mon enjoy? He’s partial to classics like “Panis Angelicus,” “Tantum Ergo” and “Abide With Me.” He also likes Hontiveros’ “Dakilang Pag-ibig” and “Pananagutan,” because they’re very Filipino in spirit.

Mon finds most religious music too individualistic. They also cater to comfort zones and, like, ‘Tanging Yaman,’ are best sung as choral pieces. He said he also enjoyed Laurice Guillen’s film starring Gloria Romero, except for the deus ex machina ending.

I next asked Joey Evangelista, a young Missionary of Jesus working in the mountainous areas of Malita, where my grandmother comes from.

Joey chose “Godspell” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Why “Jesus Christ Superstar”? He enthused, “I didn’t think they could weave a story out of such music!“ He said he also enjoyed the latest version of “Joan of Arc.”

More questions

When queried about his favorite religious music, he singled out “Tanging Yaman.” Interestingly, he found “Tantum Ergo” and other Latin classics not appropriate for community singing. He likes “Panis Angelicus” but thinks the song’s Latin lyrics aren’t good for church, because most people today aren’t familiar with the old language.