It is with gratitude to God that the movie-project is finally set to start shooting this coming March 3, 2010. The movie is written and directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, a multi-awarded film maker and director. Lead roles will be played by Judy Ann Santos, Ryan Agoncillo, Marvin Agustin, Christopher de Leon, Vivian Velez, and a boy-a newcomer in the industry-who could be a new Santino in the making. The movie is expected to be finished before the celebration of the tercentenary in September. The producer of the movie, our very own Bikolano film maker and producer, Tony Gloria, of the UNITEL Production known for socially relevant movies, hopes to include the movie in this year's entries to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) on December.
The Archbishop of Caceres, Leonardo Z. Legaspi, has proposed to a group of investors from Bikol particularly from Naga City, to help in financing the movie. The businessmen were presented with the proposal that the money is not a donation but an investment on the project that is expected to generate enough support and patronage thus paying off, at least the principal, given by each investor. It is with much hope that with a world-class director and power cast, the movie will share the devotion to all Filipinos and devotees of Ina in the Philippines and in other parts of the world.
The Peñafrancia Association of Bikolanos in Metro Manila has also contributed to the movie project. It has been the association's enthusiasm and persistence that found the ways and means to piece together the various
Contrary to the expectation that the movie will be like a documentary film or an epoch film, it will be a commercial movie with an interesting storyline woven by complex relationships set in the context of a religious experience of a devotee of Ina whose family traces its roots in Bikol. Moviegoers can expect not only entertainment but also an interesting presentation of the devotion in a way that even those who have no previous knowledge and experience of the popular devotion can appreciate its significance in the life of Filipino.
The actors with lead roles have started the workshop under Marilou Diaz-Abaya. It is heartwarming to receive a text message from director Marilou saying how the presence of Ina is very much felt during the workshops.
The movie will not only be shown in the Philippines but also in the United States, Australia, Europe and some Asian countries where the devotion to Ina is widespread. The Peñafrancia Associations in all the continents will be asked to support the movie.
It is with anticipation that we await the completion of the movie because of the possibility to share the gift of devotion to Ina to all Filipinos in the Philippines and in other countries.
The movie project took a while before it could start because of some unforeseen difficulties and some obstacles along the way. The powerful intercession of Ina, however, has made it possible for the realization of the movie. It is a gift from God, indeed, that for the first time in 300 years, a movie dedicated to Ina is now in the offing.