VIEWERS will see different sides of Piolo Pascual in his forthcoming films that are related to the country’s history.
The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) announced on Tuesday six more films that completed the official entries for the 49th edition of the festival.
Among these movies are Pascual’s horror film “Mallari” and the historical film “GomBurZa.”
The veteran actor previously thrilled many netizens with his portrayal of Fr. Juan Severino Mallari in “Mallari” and Padre Pédro Pelaéz in “GomBurZa,” following the release of the first teasers for the two films on social media.
The teaser for “Mallari’’ showed a sneak peek at how Pascual gave life to Fr. Mallari, a priest who is the first-ever documented serial killer in the Philippines.
In the teaser for ‘’GomBurZa,’’ the actor showed a courageous personality as Padre Pédro Pelaéz, a Filipino clergy leader who is not afraid of speaking the truth.
Other MMFF entries are “Becky and Badette,” “Broken Hearts Trip,” “Firefly,” “When I Met You in Tokyo,” “A Mother and Son’s Story,” “(K)Ampon,” “Penduko,” and “Rewind.”
The 49th edition will kick off on December 25.
While viewers await the films’ premiere, here are what they should look forward to in Pascual’s new films:
‘Mallari’
“Mallari” is Pascual’s first-ever horror film in his three decades in the local entertainment industry.
Helmed by award-winning director Derick Cabrido, “Mallari” is a combination of elements of fiction and reality, as it draws inspiration from true events surrounding Fr. Mallari.
The Filipino Catholic priest was hanged for a series of murders of 57 individuals in Magalang, Pampanga. Viewers will learn how he turned into a serial killer.
Aside from Fr. Mallari, the seasoned actor, will also be playing two more characters as the film intertwines three different periods: the Spanish occupation, the post-war period, and the present day.
The two other characters that Pascual will portray were shown in the second teaser of “Mallari,” released by Mentorque Productions on October 13.
Joining Pascual in the horror film are JC Santos, Elisse Joson, Janella Salvador, and Gloria Diaz. Actress Mylene Dizon will also have a special participation in “Mallari,” the production house said.
‘GomBurZa’
The forthcoming historical film will probably be a good opportunity for the youth to learn more about the three martyr Filipino priests—Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora—after the viral “MaJoHa” clip.
The video was from a reality show where teen contestants were asked about the collective name of the priests who were executed during the Spanish colonization. One contestant mistakenly called “GomBurZa” as “MaJoHa,” as she tried to combine the priests’ first names instead of their last names.
Director Pepe Diokno, son of human rights lawyer Chel Diokno and grandson of the late senator Jose “Ka Pepe” Diokno, shared “GomBurZa’s” teaser on X and said that the film is dedicated to every Filipino.
“Grateful for the opportunity to make this film — not just for younger Pinoys who know them as ‘Majoha’ but for all of us,” he said.
“May the story that helped ignite the revolution also ignite our ‘alab ng puso’ today,” he added.
In the one-minute clip, a voice could be heard asking Pascual’s character the question, “Don Pédro, hindi ba kayo natatakot?”
Pelaéz then replied, “Bakit ako matatakot magsabi ng totoo?”
The clergy leader was also the mentor of Burgos.
The teaser also showed the first look at the martyr priests portrayed by Dante Rivero (as Gomez), Cedrick Juan (as Burgos), and Enchong Dee (as Zamora).
According to Diokno, the film will dig deep into the life of GomBurZa.
“There is so much more to their story that surprised me. Like, how much their deaths inspired Jose Rizal, and how the term ‘Filipino’ originated from the struggle of the native priests,” the filmmaker said.
“GomBurZa” will also feature Elijah Canlas, Tommy Alejandrino, Jaime Fabregas, Ketchup Eusebio, and Epy Quizon, among others.
