Suarez: The Healing Priest
Official release poster
Directed byJoven Tan
StarringJohn Arcilla
Production
company
Saranggola Media Productions
Distributed byViva Films
Release date
  • December 25, 2020 (2020-12-25)
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

Suarez: The Healing Priest is a 2020 Philippine biographical film directed by Joven Tan. The film depicts the life of Filipino priest and faith healer Fernando Suarez.[1] It is one of the official entries for the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Cast

Also guests are Bobby Andrews, Gina Parreño, Menggie Cobarrubias, Christian Vasquez, Marissa Sanchez, Rubi Rubi, Michelle Vito, Buboy Villar, Andrea del Rosario, Lui Manansala, Lou Veloso, Yñigo Delen, Yayo Aguila, Dexter Doria, Archi Adamos, and Glenda Garcia, among others.[2][3]

Production

Several directors and producers has been involved in a biographical film project about Filipino priest and faith healer Fernando Suarez. The final film entitled Suarez: The Healing Priest was directed by Joven Tan. Suarez personally requested John Arcilla to portray him in the film. Portions of film was shot at the foot of the Taal Volcano shortly prior to its eruption in January 2020.[4]

Suarez himself also was involved in the filming, including in one scene where he led a "digital healing segment". Suarez died on February 4, 2020. By that time, the film was almost complete.[5][6]

Release

The film will be released via online streaming platform UpStream starting December 25, 2020, as one of the ten official entries of the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival.[7]

Reception

Suarez: The Healing Priest garnered nine nominations but only won the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award at the awards night of the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Critic's response are also lukewarm. Fred Hawson gave the movie a 5/10 and noted that it was "a pleasant watch overall, but a little too earnest, too defensive, too idealistic."[8] Oggs Cruz of Rappler called the film "awful" and criticized the director for the "haphazardly crafted" outcome, but praised Arcilla for his "sophisticated" performance.[9] Neil Ramos, in his review in Manila Bulletin, is more sympathetic of the film, calling it "a poignant look into the man’s life."[10]

References

  1. ↑ Cruz, Marinel (November 27, 2020). "MMFF 2020 lineup overhauled after some finalists' failure to meet deadline". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  2. ↑ Bautista, Marlo (December 26, 2020). "Review of Metro Manila Filmfest Entry: 'Suarez, The Healing Priest'". Journal Online. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Suarez: The Healing Priest". IMDb.
  4. ↑ Bukas, Leo (March 22, 2020). "John Arcilla, na-pressure nga bang gumanap bilang Fr. Fernando Suarez?". Push. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Fr. Fernando Suarez, may natapos na biopic bago pumanaw". PEP.ph (in Tagalog and English). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. February 5, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  6. ↑ Calderon, Nora (February 11, 2020). "Fr. Suarez may naiwan kay John". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  7. ↑ Peters, Daniel (November 25, 2020). "Metro Manila Film Festival 2020 announces official entries for virtual edition". NME. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  8. ↑ Hawson, Fred (January 2, 2021). "MMFF review: 'Suarez, The Healing Priest' inspires but too earnest, defensive". ABS-CBN News.
  9. ↑ Cruz, Oggs (January 2, 2021). "'Suarez: The Healing Priest' review: Beyond healing". Rappler.
  10. ↑ Ramos, Neil (December 22, 2020). "FILM REVIEW: 'Suarez: The Healing Priest'". Manila Bulletin.
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