Director Rommel Galapia Ruiz praised stars for fulfilling his dream to direct the full-length movie "In Thy Name."

“I enjoy every moment at eksaktong kwento pa ni Father Rhoel D. Gallardo, CMF so for me napakagandang ikwento ang isang kwento na may kabuluhan sa buhay nating lahat— that we need to stand on our faith and trust God for everything," said Direk Rommel in a recent interview in Quezon City.

Under the direction of Caesar Soriano and Rommel Galapia Ruiz, Viva Films is set to release "In Thy Name" on March 5. The movie is inspired by actual events and is based on the life of a martyr, Fr. Rhoel Gallardo. It tackles the resilience of the Catholic faith during the cruel times of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Basilan.

Direk Rommel praised Mccoy de Leon, who played Fr. Rhoel Gallardo. According to the young director, Mccoy studied the role and executed it well in this film.

“I know that he’s young but I think yung ‘In Thy Name’ para sa kanya talaga itong proyektong ito. Ang nakita ko kay McCoy sobrang inaral at binigay niya yung best niya sa pelikulang ito. He listens very well on the instruction and also may mga suggestions din siya and I admire all of that kasi andoon siya sa gusto namin lahat maganda yung mapapanood na tao. (What I saw in McCoy was that he was very studious and gave his best in this film. He listens very well to the instructions and also has suggestions and I admire all of that because he is there for us, we all want him to be a good person to watch)," the director said.

Apart from McCoy, Direk Rommel also commended actor Mon Confiado’s professionalism.

“It was a dream working with Mon Confiado. Lagi ko itong sinasabi sa iba at sa kanya na siya yung isang artista namin sa set na nagpupush sakin to perform on my highest level kasi sobrang professional niya and di niya pinaparamdam na bata akong director. (I always tell others and him that he is the one actor on set who pushes me to perform at my highest level because he is so professional and doesn't make me feel like a young director)," Direk Rommel said.

Direk Rommel pointed out Mon's openness, “he’s embracing all my thoughts and bring it to action and sa shoot ang gaan kausap sobrang thankful ako na kasama siya sa cast.”

“But all of them sorbang gaan ka trabaho from JC de Vera, Aya Fernandez,Jerome Ponce,Yves Flores, Soliman Cruz, Alex Medina,Tito Pen, Kat Galang, Jal Galang, Dylan Talon, Anna Abad, Richard Quan, John Estrada. I appreciate their hard work,” headded as he commended the whole cast.

Before directing ‘In Thy Name,’ Direk Rommel started his apprenticeship with Director Jet B. Leyco and cinematographer Tristan Salas.

Later on, he directed Sinadya Kong Kalimutan Para Maulit ang Lahat (2016), which was exhibited at various film festivals in the country, such as CCP Gawad Alternatibo and Cinema Rehiyon.

Direk Rommel also became a camera operator for films like Bamboo Dogs (2018) by Khan Dela Cruz, Elise (2019) by Joel Ferrer, and Second Coming (2019) by Jet B. Leyco. He is currently studying the film offers that would be his next film to direct.