"PEDRO CALUNGSOD : Batang Martir", World Premiere @ SM Megamall

Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir Facebook Page

Director: Francis Villacorta
Starring: Rocco Nacino, Christian Vasquez, Ryan Eigenmann, and Jestoni Alarcon
Producer: H.P.I. Synergy Group

Official Trailer of PEDRO CALUNGSOD : Batang Martir

In 1668, a young Cebuano named Pedro Calungsod left home to join a Spanish Jesuit priest on a mission to the Marianas Islands (Guam). Here begins the story of Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir.

Rocco Nacino plays the title character Pedro, a trained catechist and mission assistant, who worked with Fr. Diego de San Vitores (played by Christian Vasquez).

In the Marianas, Pedro helped the San Diego Mission in preaching God’s word and baptizing natives known as Chamorros. It was indeed a challenging time to share the Christian faith as paganism prevailed among the natives who openly expressed their doubts about the mission’s teachings.
An official entry to the 2013 Metro Manila Film Festival, the movie Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir is described as “a historical epic adventure film about the life and martyrdom of the Filipino saint that changed the Marianas forever.”
Fr. Diego worked with Pedro in reaching as many natives as possible to enlighten them about Christianity, to the point of risking their lives in order to continue their missionary work.  Today, Guam is a Catholic state and the movie highlights Pedro’s role in this divine mission.
Also joining the cast are Jestoni Alarcon, Ryan Eigenmann, Robert Correa, Alvin Aragon, Victor Basa, BJ Forbes, Carlo Gonzalez, Arthur Solinap, Mico Palanca, Geoff Taylor, Johann Santos, Isadora Valasquez, and Mercedes Cabral.
Playing the young Pedro Calungsod in the movie is child actor Marc Justine Alvarez, with '90s matinee idol Jao Mapa taking on the role of his tatang. The film is based on a screenplay by Francis Villacorta who is also the director.
Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir is a production of H.P.I. Synergy Group.

Critics are calling it "an inspiration to the youth." Now showing in cinemas. 

Click the link below: 

What people are saying about the movie `Pedro Calungsod: Ang Batang Martir'

Opening Night at SM Megamall. Tara na! Let's watch `Pedro Calungsod'! Be inspired by the life of our very own saint!

From www.ucanews.com 

"The movie visualizes the books, stories and information into this media format called film," said Ida Tiongson, one of the movie’s producers, adding that to date only a small percentage of the population are aware of Calungsod’s life and adventures.

"When there’s a message you feel that you have to do, then you just have to do it," she said.

"With all sincerity, blockbuster ticket sales sound good and awards certainly would be appreciated. But truly if we can change and inspire even only child to be closer to God, that is more than success." 

She said the aim of the movie is to spread the message of goodness, adding that the best way to help in the church's evangelization is through the media.

The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, the organization of Catholic schools in the country, lauded efforts to bring the Filipino saint closer to young people through the movie.

Narciso Erguiza Jr., association president, urged school administrators, teachers and students to watch the film.

"We hope that Pedro Calungsod will be an inspiration for the Filipino people with the message that we can reach sainthood through our everyday lives," he said.

The movie depicts the life of Calungsod, who left the central Philippines island of Visayas with Spanish Jesuit priest Diego de San Vitores for a mission to the Marianas Islands, now Guam, in 1668.

The missionaries arrived in the Marianas where the young Pedro, a trained catechist and mission assistant, worked for San Vitores and helped in baptizing the islands’ inhabitants.

Despite the threats to their lives, Calungsod and San Vitores continued their missionary work, roaming the islands and preaching the Gospel.

Jojo Riguerra is a fellow missionary, while Marc Justine Alvarez plays the young Pedro Calungsod.

                                   Jestoni Alarcon is Captain Juan de Sta. Cruz in the movie.

Rocco Nacino arrives at the lobby. Rocco plays the title role in `Pedro Calungsod'.

Star of the Night Rocco Nacino. Click link below for more info on Pedro Calungsod:

Pedro Calungsod in Wikipedia

Cinemalaya 2010 Best Director Mike Dagnalan and wife Ma-an watched at the premiere night. Mike also directed an inspirational biopic in 2012, `Paglaya sa Tinakala', about the Somascans, through the life of Brother Jerry.

Photographer Erickson Dela Cruz captures video takes of the audience's reactions to the movie.

Mike & Ma-an Dagnalan, Robert Correa (who plays Maga'lahi Hirao, the chief of the Chamorro warriors who killed the young Visayan catechist, Calungsod), and one of the film's producers, Charles Stewart Lee.

Ray Charles and Robert (Audience, Cast, Producer)

Producer Ida Tiongson: “We don’t lose if we can plant the seed of inspiration and evangelization to our young people.”

Jojo Riguerra and friend. Jojo previously played the role of `Victor' in the successful `Maxi the Musical'.

Christian Vasquez plays Padre Diego de San Vitores, a Spanish priest and father figure of Pedro Calungsod, the man instrumental to the young man's passionate belief in Jesus Christ. According to Vazquez, "...playing a true-to-life character, as an actor, it poses quite a challenge because you must really flesh him out. You don't only make him authentic for the sake of authenticity; you also give him a lot of heart and honest to goodness emotions." He also studied Spanish and Latin at the University of the Philippines under Dr. Daisy Lopez. (Wikipedia)

Rocco Nacino replaced JM De Guzman for the lead role of `Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir', who had to bow out due to health reasons. Rocco did not disappoint, and played Pedro Calungsod with depth and sincerity.

According to Nacino, "It's a huge leap in my career. Right now, I'm doing so many characters, which are emotionally and mentally taxing on my part. I am not complaining though. The role of Pedro will take a lot of research and training. I need to learn Spanish, Latin and Visayan. That aspect alone is daunting, but I know kaya ko(I can make it). One of these days, I am attending a Latin mass so that I (will) know how it feels. I want to experience it so that aurally. I will be used to it". Marc Justine Alvarez was cast as the young Calungsod. Some of the shortlisted actors for the role includes Paulo Avelino, Alden Richards and Coco Martin. (Wikipedia)

No, this is not the prequel to Star Wars. No, that is not Luke Skywalker. No, that is not Obi Wan Kenobi.

                                             Hunks of the night, Rinoza and Riguerra.

Reuniting with Cinema One 2010 Best Director for `Layang Bilanggo', Mike & Ma-an Dagnalan, a year after the two tied the knot on 12-12-12.

With Hubo Productions Board member, Will Fredo, whom I first met during the wedding of Mike & Ma-an.

                                            Off the Wall with Will, Mike and Ma-an

                                                      Us again with Pedro and Diego.

                         Two inspirational characters from `Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir'

Rocco and Raymond with the Pedrito Doll. P100 of each sale of Pedrito Doll goes to support for Yolanda typhoon victims. Buy one (or more) now!

Enter the world of the Chamorros!

Pedro Calungsod, a young Filipino man, leaves his Visayan native roots to join the Spanish Jesuit priest Fr. Diego de San Vitores in his mission to the Marianas Islands (Guam) in 1668.

The San Diego Mission arrives in the Marianas where the young Pedro, a trained catechist and mission assistant, begins work for Fr. Diego de San Vitores in baptizing the Chamorro natives, preaching the holy gospel and spreading the good news of salvation through the Christian faith amidst paganism, doubt and disbelief. Despite the longing for his father and the threats to their lives, even at the peril of death, Pedro and Fr. Diego continued their missionary work. They roamed the dangerous islands and baptized many more natives and continued to enlighten them about Christianity.

Guam is now a devoutly Catholic state and this is the story of how the young Filipino saint, between wars and persecutions, played his part in this divine mission. 

This adventure movie is for everybody. The young boy who guided his blind mentor is something to witness and learn from. Pedro Calungsod's life of devotion is relatable to all. (Wikipedia)

           Mike & Ma-an HHWW at the premiere night of `Pedro Clungsod: Batang Martir'.  =)

The premiere night was well guarded, to avert any attacks by the Chamorros.