MANILA, August 12, 2013—An upcoming film on the life of San Pedro Calungsod is sure to increase awareness on the life of the young Filipino martyr and inspire young people, film director Francis O. Villacorta said.
Villacorta is directing a movie on the life of the young Filipino martyr as an entry for the 39th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) on December 2013.
“But the film won’t just be about the saint’s martyrdom as it will also be about the role he played in the mission to the Marianas Islands or now known as Guam between 1668 and 1672. It will show what virtues he practiced to serve the propagation of Christianity at a time of paganism, doubt and disbelief,” Villacorta said.
Villacorta, a graduate of History and Political Science at the De La Salle University explained that young Filipinos will learn so much from the teen saint, “how this young soldier of Jesus Christ fought for the conversion to Christianity of the Chamorro natives and his unquestionable obedience and loyalty to the mission.”
He emphasized that the saint’s heroic life, ordinary as he was being a young catechist and mission assistant, the dedication to his work and his devotion to God is all too “inspiring.”
“His longing for his home and family in the Visayas will eventually be overcome by his longing for Jesus Christ. What a fascinating study of a young life all too willingly given up for the love of our Savior. Because in the end, I believe, our life on earth is [but] a preparation for our reunion with Him, our Creator,” Villacorta furthered.
Actor Rocco Nacino will portray San Pedro Calungsod on the MMFF entry “San Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir” which started filming this week.
Produced by HPI Synergy Group in association with Wings Entertainment, the film is slated for a nationwide theatrical release on December 2013. (Jandel Posion)
