By Caesar Vallejos
(Eagle News Contributor)
Judging from the results and reactions on the movie premiere, “Felix Manalo” has the makings of being one of the greatest Filipino films of all time.
Now the holder of two Guinness world records, the premiere of world movie premieres kicked off the beginning of another certified box office hit as the film opens in more than 370 theaters nationwide on October 7.
This spectacular movie premiere was hosted by two of the country’s brightest names in show business, Richard Gutierrez and Isabel Daza.
Stellar stars, sterling production
Commenting on the film, Gutierrez exclaimed, “Napakapulido ng pagkakagawa at napakahusay ng lahat mula sa artista hanggang sa buong production.” (The film-making was very polished and the actors and the whole production were excellent).
His co-host, Daza, donned an elegant blue terno worn by her mother, Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz, to add a historical touch into the momentous occasion. “I am speechless on how beautiful a film that was,” she said after the screening on Oct. 4 at the Philippine Arena.
The key stars of the movie, including Dennis Trillo, Bela Padilla, Gladys Reyes and Gabby Concepcion, who addressed the mammoth gathering at the Philippine Arena were visibly overwhelmed by the magnitude of the movie premiere, which has definitely outclassed all red carpet events in Philippine cinema.
In an MTV shown in the 5-storey high film screen, Philippine popstar Sarah Geronimo sang the official theme song arranged by Louie Ocampo entitled, “Ang Sugo ng Diyos sa mga Huling Araw”.
Felix Manalo director, the award-winning film-maker Joel Lamangan, was interrupted numerous times by thunderous applause when he introduced his latest epic masterpiece.
“Nais kong magpasalamat sa Iglesia Ni Cristo sa pagkakataong ibinigay sa amin upang maisapelikula ang kasaysayan ng isang dakilang Pilipino na dapat ipaglamaki ng kahit na sinong Pilipino. Ito ang pagkakataon upang maipakita ang isang dakilang pananampalataya: ang Iglesia Ni Cristo (I want to thank the Iglesia Ni Cristo for the opportunity given to us in filming the story of a great Filipino that any Filipino can be proud of. This is the opportunity to show a great faith, the Iglesia Ni Cristo).”
Guinness officials impressed with 40 by 22 meter indoor screen
Officials of the Guinness World Records expressed admiration for what could be yet another Guinness record for the Iglesia Ni Cristo — the gigantic five-storey high indoor screen used at the record-breaking “Felix Manalo” premiere at the Philippine Arena.
Moments before the first screening of the epic film Felix Manalo, Guinness Book of World Records Senior Vice-President for Records Marco Frigatti announced: “Tonight, we could be looking at the largest indoor screen in the world sitting in the largest mixed use indoor theater, and attempting to break two world records! That’s not bad for a Sunday evening.”
Two new Guinness world records were announced last October 4 at the Philippine Arena by London-based officials of Guinness World Records for the Iglesia Ni Cristo and Viva Communications.
The new records are for “The Largest Audience for A Film Premiere” and “The Largest Audience for a Film Screening.”
With a whooping attendance of 43,624, this figure beat the previous numbers set by the premieres of “The Chronicles of Narnia” at the 02 Arena in London in 2008 with 10,000 in attendance for the largest audience for a film premiere; and the screening of the documentary “Honor Flight” at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the US with 28,442attendees for the largest audience for a film screening.
“These records are very hard to achieve. Organizing an event of this magnitude is hard enough as we have strict guidelines,” Guiness World Records Adjudicator Victoria Tweedey said.
The Guinness officials have employed a thousand stewards and marshalls and 40 scanning stations that validated tickets for the event. From the results, they have deducted 172 people who left and did not come back, a proof of Guinness’ stringent rules. Accounting firm Punong-bayan and Araullo was tapped to audit the results.
“Maswerte kaming naabutan siya.”
Couples Eduardo Evangelista, 73 and Ningning Evangelista, 71 from Paranaque were two of those officially counted by the Guinness tabulations. Both are members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo who were lucky to have seen and talked to Bro. Felix Manalo.
Ningning Evangelista recalled, “Siguro mga 1st year high school lang ako noon. Naka-akyat kami sa bahay nila sa Riverside kasi yung kapatid kong mas matanda sa akin ay napatira sa bahay ng Sugo. Noong dinalaw namin siya, matanda na siya. Meron pa nga siyang life-sized picture na nandoon na hindi ko malimut-limutan. Noong nag-uumpisa ang Sugo, malakas ang loob niya at hindi siya natakot kahit may mga kaaway. (Maybe I was in 1st year high school then. We were able to reach his house in Riverside because my older sibling was living in the Messenger’s house. He had a life-sized picture there and I can never ever forget that. When the Messenger was starting, he was undaunted and fearless even if there were adversaries).
Eduardo Evangelista recounted, “Nakita ko siya [Felix Manalo] noong nangangasiwa siya ng pagsamba sa Paco, Maynila. Umaapaw ang Espiritu Santo mula sa kaniya. Sumama rin ako noong burol niya. Kasama ako sa naglakad, ganon namin kamahal ang sugo (I saw him when he [Felix Manalo] officiated the worship service in Paco, Manila. The Holy Spirit was overflowing from him. I also joined his funeral. I was part of those who walked [in sending him to his final resting place], that is how we deeply love the Messenger).
Ka Felix Manalo’s last days and his funeral are part of the main highlights of this biographical epic. It essays his story from his birth in 1886, the beginnings of the Church in 1914 and the rise of INC as the largest and highly influential indigenous religious organization in the Philippines.