‘Suarez: The Healing Priest’

John Arcilla

(We are running this guide to help you plan your holiday movie-watching activity during the pandemic. The 46th Metro Manila Film Festival Christmas Edition runs from Dec. 25, 2020 to Jan. 7, 2021. Tickets are available online via https://upstream.ph/mmff)

Directed by Joven Tan; stars John Arcilla, Dante Rivero, Troy Montero, Mario Mortel, Alice Dixson, Rosanna Roces, Jairus Aquino, Rita Avila, Richard Quan, Jina Macapagal and Gina Pareño; produced by Saranggola Media ProductionsThis biographical film chronicles the struggles and triumphs of the late Catholic priest Fernando Suarez, who was best known for healing ministry. He reportedly discovered this gift when he was just 16 years old.

“I have heard a lot of things about Father Suarez from way back. So when I got to read the script, I got intrigued and wanted to work on this material,” director Tan said of the film, which also depicts Suarez’s “compassion for others” and his “legacy of kindness, healing and love.”

Suarez himself was involved in the early stages of production early this year. Unfortunately, he died, after suffering a myocardial infarction while playing tennis last February. “During our meetings, prior and during the filming, I remember him to be kind, straightforward and sincere,” Tan said.

Arcilla, who plays the faith-healing priest, was Suarez’s personal pick. “The sincerity I have witnessed was enough to embrace the project completely. And then I found out that he’s a fan of “Heneral Luna”; that he personally handpicked me to play the role,” he said. “The film is about his total trust in God that he will not be forsaken.”—ALLAN POLICARPIO INQ