‘A tribute to Filipino spirit’?

MANILA, Philippines - After setting two world records on its premiere night, the movie Felix Manalo opened in theaters nationwide last Wednesday, giving Filipinos around the country an opportunity to learn about the man who built a church that now is estimated to have three to five million members in 102 countries worldwide. 

Felix Manalo director Joel Lamangan (photo) said that the biopic, which stars Dennis Trillo as Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) founder Felix Manalo, is “a tribute to the Filipino spirit.”

“The story of Felix Manalo is very much the story of every Filipino who has never allowed adversity to discourage him from pursuing his goals and dreams; you don’t have to be an INC member to appreciate that,” he said.

Joel added that he hoped that the renewed interest in history generated by the film Heneral Luna would encourage the public to watch Felix Manalo, as the movie traces the growth of the church in relation to the major historical events of the county.

“Heneral Luna showed that there is a market for movies like these,” said the director, whose past films include The Flor Contemplacion Story, Sidhi, Deathrow, Hubog, Aishite Imasu 1941, Blue Moon and Mano Po. “Hopefully, the commercial success of historical dramas will open the door for similar projects.”???

Felix Manalo premiered last week, bagging the record for Largest Audience At A Film Premiere and the Largest Audience At A Film Screening with 43,624 people in the initial screening. ???

Touted as the most expensive movie Viva Films has ever produced, the film also stars Bela Padilla, Gabby Concepcion, AJ Muhlach, Heart Evangelista, Snooky Serna, Gladys Reyes, Joel Torre, Elizabeth Oropesa, Jaime Fabregas, Richard Yap and Ruru Madrid.