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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider FILM REVIEW: 'Suarez: The Healing Priest'

FILM REVIEW: 'Suarez: The Healing Priest'

Published Dec 22, 2020 01:39 pm

In life and death, Father Fernando Suarez was an enigma.

Emerging seemingly from out of nowhere, he became an overnight sensation mainly due to his ability to heal a variety of ailments.

He will be known for far more than that, however.

To say that Suarez was a very controversial man is an understatement.

He was often at loggerheads with the leaders of the church.

At one point, he was even implicated in a sexual abuse case involving some minors.

Dante Rivero, John Arcilla in a scene from the film

Then there’s talk about his supposed ostentatious lifestyle.

So who is Father Suarez?

Is he a healer or crook?

A sinner or saint?

John Arcilla as Father Fernando Suarez

Those eager to find answers would do well to watch the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival entry, “Suarez: The Healing Priest” and simply decide for themselves.

The biographical film, directed by Joven Tan and starring John Arcilla and Jin Macapagal (as the older and younger version of Father Suarez, respectively), is a poignant look into the man’s life.

No, it is far from a self-serving film that paints him in an altogether ideal light.

If anything, it actually depicts the man as a regular Joe who, like you and me, has weaknesses, fears.

Yes, a large portion of the film celebrates Father Suarez’s gift of healing, but it also doesn’t shy away from discussing his troubles, including the many controversies that hounded him.

The fact that Suarez was involved in the making of the film (He chose Arcilla personally to portray him, going on to actually appear in several scenes himself even as he also had a hand in the recording of the film’s theme song “Yakapin Mo Ako”) shows that he isn’t afraid to actually let people judge him for who he is or was.

Suarez is no longer with us. He succumbed to myocardial infarction early this year.

Is the film his way of explaining himself? Maybe.

Anyway, those looking for a bit of entertainment in time for Christmas will have a lot to enjoy here, with Tan making sure the film goes beyond mere retelling of a man’s life ala “Maalala Mo Kaya.”

Although the film is far from perfect, it is pleasing to the eye.

Father Fernando Suarez

The languid pace allowed for dreamy, poetic grace, which is quite fitting given the subject matter.

Also adding to the fun is the appearance of several industry notables including the likes of Dante Rivero, Noel Trinidad, Gina Pareño, Rosanna Roces, Rita Avila, Yayo Aguila, Dennis Padilla, and Alice Dixson, to name a few.

Superbly acted and directed, “Suarez: The Healing Priest” is a timely offering amid the ongoing pandemic what with many desperately seeking solace, hope.

The film will be available via UpStream starting Dec. 25.

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