QUEZON City, Philippines (September 2) – “Wala pong eksenang napipili, lahat po’y kaabang abang.” said Mr. Joel Lamangan on his interview for Felix Manalo movie this first Tueday of September in Taumbahay.
Lamangan stated that he has already been oriented with the Iglesia ni Cristo’s doctrines and practices for one of his relative is a deacon inside the church.
He said that he also collaborated with some of the award-winning Directors in the industry namely Mr. Julius Alfonso, and Mr. Armand Reyes as well as Dr. Glicerio Santos III who served as the creative producer of the said production.
As for the actors, he also said that all of them were inspired with the story and even searched for the correct practices of the church. Mr. Dennis Trillo was among the actors who were studied to play the the lead role. Lamangan said Trillo was a very good and award-winning actor in the TV and Film industry and portrayed Ka Felix Manalo’s role very well, more than enough reason for them to choose him among all the actors that were considered for the role of Felix Manalo, along with Bella Padilla who portrayed the role of Ka Honorata “Ata” De Guzman. Lamangan said Padilla was an intelligent, well-educated actress who is aware of what she is doing.
Mr. Lamangan also said that they held shootings in many different places in the Philippines such as Taal, Bagac, Pagsanjan and in some other locations that can not be found in Manila. They also built a makeshift set when the script requires them to do so.
More than 90 actors performed for particular roles in the movie and all of them were able to reach the standards that the director has been looking for along with some of the Church’s members that also are included in the film.
For these reasons , Mr. Lamangan said that Felix Manalo can not be snubbed and will definitely be expecting awards.
“Ito ay kasaysayan na binuo ng isang dakilang Pilipinong bumuo ng Pilipinong pananampatalaya,” he said at the end of his interview.
Courtesy: Viva Films
(written by Donna Marie M. Rodriguez, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)