‘Ignacio’ film continues winning streak
Jesuit Music Ministry director Lester Mendiola, production manager Ernestine Tamana, creative director Pauline Mangilog-Saltarin, and marketing manager Dit Sablan, with the CMMA Serviam trophy JESCOM
MANILA – Jesuit Communications (JesCom)’s “Ignacio de Loyola,” a Filipino-made film about the conversion of St. Ignatius of Loyola, continues to gain recognition in the local and international scene.
The film most recently won the Special Award at the 39th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) with JesCom also bagging a Serviam (Institutional) Award, also at the CMMA. The Serviam Award was given to Jescom, the media arm of the Philippine province of the Society of Jesus, for “producing world-class movies, books, music and concerts-for-a-cause that promote Christian values.”
“Our little film has surpassed our expectations,” said JesCom head and “Ignacio de Loyola” executive producer Fr. Emmanuel “Nono” Alfonso, SJ. “It is becoming the most widely seen religious film made by Filipinos. We are thankful for the chance to continue to spread the word of God and the inspiration of St. Ignatius.”
Life of St. Ignatius
“Ignacio de Loyola,” JesCom’s first English language, got a wide commercial release when it opened in the Philippine cinemas in July 2016.
In the citation given to the production team, headed by director Paolo Dy and producers Pol Saltarin and Ernestine Tamana, who were at the awards ceremony, CMMA lauded the film for “being a wonderful presentation of the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit Order.”
The CMMA program was established by the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin to recognize and encourage individuals and groups that serve God through mass media.
711 screenings
Prior to the CMMA, “Ignacio de Loyola” also won Best Production Design Best Musical Score (for Ryan Cayabyab), Best Cinematography (for Lee Briones), and Best Sound (for Mike Idioma) at the 35th Luna Awards of the Film Academy of the Philippines.
Aside from reaping acclaim in the Philippines, the film also received plaudits from audiences worldwide after more than 711 local and international screenings in seven countries, including the US, Papua New Guinea, the UK, Spain, Guam, and Australia.
According to its international distributor, “Ignacio de Loyola” landed on the list of Spain’s Top 10 highest grossing films for July.
For updates about “Ignacio de Loyola,” interested parties may check out the movie’s page on Facebook. For inquiries about screenings and distribution, email esablan@admu.edu.ph. CBCPNews
