Kristo (1996 film)

Kristo is a 1996 Filipino biblical drama film depicting the life of Jesus Christ.[1] Produced by Cine Suerte Productions and Oasis of Love Movement (by Fr. Sonny Ramirez, OP, host of the telemagazine Sharing in the City), Kristo stars Mat Ranillo III in the title role,[2] together with Rez Cortez (Judas Iscariot), Ruel Vernal (Peter), Michael Locsin (John), freelance model and then college student Charmaine Rivera (in her first and only film appearance as the Virgin Mary), and Amy Austria (Mary Magdalene).

Kristo
Directed by	Ben "M7" Yalung
Produced by	Benjamin G. Yalung "M7"
Written by	Emmanuel H. Borlaza Ruben Arthur Nicdao Ben Yalung
Starring	Mat Ranillo III
Music by	Lutgardo Labad
Cinematography	Larry Manda
Edited by	George Jarlego
Production company	Cine Suerte Productions
Distributed by	Cine Suerte Productions
Release date	March 27, 1996
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino

The film also includes an all-star cast in their cameo appearances playing various characters. Among them are Gabby Concepción (John the Baptist), husband-and-wife pair Rudy Fernandez and Lorna Tolentino (as Simon of Cyrene and Veronica respectively), Aga Muhlach (the demon-possessed man), Rachel Lobangco (the Temptress, in which Satan is in a female form in the temptation of the desert scene), Silvia Sanchez (the adulteress), Ang TV star and singer Lindsay Custodio (Salome), and Christopher de Leon (as Dimas as credited in the film).[3]

Plot

The film started on a prologue, "if the story of the New Testament replaced the setting from the Middle East to the Philippine Islands, what would the image and culture of the New Testament look like?"

The narrative of Kristo is based on the combined Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, but imagined as occurring in Classical Filipino society with ethnic elements and some aspects of Ancient Rome and first-century Judaea. Kristo was shot in various locations such as Intramuros, Lawton and Luneta in Manila, as well as in Laguna and Pampanga.

The film starts with an open book presenting the Nativity of Jesus in the form of illustrations. Live action scenes or the flow of the story follows the next page 30 years after, beginning with the preaching of John the Baptist and the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. Kristo cycles through the various episodes in Christ's ministry, his death, and resurrection, ending with his ascension and its illustrated version on the last page with a Biblical message.

Cast

Major roles

• Mat Ranillo III as Jesus Christ (Hesu Kristo/Jesucristo)
• Charmaine Rivera as the Virgin Mary (Birheng María)
• Amy Austria as Mary Magdalene (María Magdalena)
• Ruel Vernal as Peter (Pedro)
• Conrad Poe as Andrew (Andres)
• Edgar Mande as James (Santiago)
• Michael Locsin as John the Apostle (Juan)
• Rez Cortez as Judas Iscariot (Judas Iscariote)
• Jorge Estregan Jr. as Matthew (Mateo)
• Daniel Fernando as Simon
• Patrick dela Rosa as Thomas (Tomàs)
• Dindo Arroyo as James
• Romy Romulo as Bartholomew (Bartolome)
• Tom Olivar as Thaddeus (Tadeo)
• Nikki Martel as Philip (Felipe)

Cameo roles (in order of appearance)

• Gabby Conepción as John the Baptist (Juan Bautista)
• Rachel Lobangco as The Temptress (Mánunuksô)
• Romy Diaz as Satan
• Paquito Díaz as Herod Antipas
• Sheila Ysrael as Herodias
• Tonton Gutierrez as Lazarus
• Lindsay Custodio as Salome
• Aga Muhlach as the Gerasene Demoniac (Ang Sinapian ng masamáng espíritu)
• Silvia Sanchez as the Adultress (Ang Mang-aapíd)
• Ricky Davao as Barabbas (Barabás)
• Dante Rivero as Nicodemus (Nicodemo)
• Maryo J. de los Reyes as Annas
• Tony Mabesa as Caiaphas (Caifás)
• Lou Veloso as a Pharisee (Pariseo)
• Romy Rivera as Pontius Pilate (Póncio Pilato)
• Maila Gumila as Claudia Prócula
• Rudy Fernández as Simon of Cyrene (Simón ang Cireneo)
• Lorna Tolentino as Veronica (Verónica)
• Gardo Versoza as Gestas (Hestas)
• Christopher de León as Dismas (Dimas)
• Dan Alvaro as Longinus (Longino)

Behind the scenes

• Before being adapted into a film, Kristo was a Senákulo (traditional Filipino Passion Play) in dance-drama played at the Folk Arts Theater (now Day By Day Christian Fellowship) in April 1977. Both Ranillo and Cortez reprised their respective roles as Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot from the 1977 production.
• Ranillo was also nominated as "Best Actor" by the Film Academy of the Philippines in 1997 for his performance.
• This was director Ben Yalung's second religious film after Divine Mercy: Sa Buhay ni Sister Faustina (Divine Mercy: In the Life of Sister Faustina) starring former matinee idol and MTV VJ Donita Rose in March 1993.[4] Yalung also produced and directed his 3rd religious film, Ama Namin (Our Father) under Premiere Productions and DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation and Birhen ng Manaoag (Virgin of Manaoag) was released in 2005.
• Ranillo eldest child, Krista, was named after the film.[5]
• Prior to playing Jesus Christ, Ranillo also portrayed the role of Lorenzo Ruiz in 1988.[6]
• Majority of the actors who played the Twelve Apostles are actors who normally play as goons in Philippine action movies. Ranillo himself plays as a villain in most movie appearances he made in the 1990s.

References

1. Escuadro, Kiko (March 29, 2018). "Lenten Playlist: Here are some movies that are perfect for Holy Week". ABS-CBN Entertainment. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
2. "LOOK: 15 actors who played Jesus Christ". ABS-CBN News. April 3, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
3. "Mga pelikulang tumalakay sa sakripisyo, milagro ni Hesus". Abante. April 13, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
4. "Grand Opening Today!". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. March 31, 1993. p. 18. Retrieved August 2, 2020. A door prize will be raffled during the premiere night
5. "Choose Your Own Jesus: 10 Actors Who Played the Son of God". Spot.ph. April 5, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
6. "Mat Ranillo III, the Pork Barrel Scam and His Religious Movies". Pinoy Pop Culture Blog. February 15, 2014. Retrieved November 22, 2019.

External links

• Kristo on IMDb
• Kristo The Play (Website)