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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider McCoy de Leon takes on priestly role in new film

McCoy de Leon takes on priestly role in new film

Published Feb 10, 2025 08:48 am
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McCoy de Leon as Fr. Rhoel Gallardo

It was a big challenge for McCoy de Leon to take on the role of a priest in "In Thy Name," a film inspired by the real life abduction and killing of Fr. Rhoel Gallardo, a Claretian missionary.

McCoy shared, "Nahirapan po talaga ako, mentally and physically kahit nga rin po spiritually kasi totong tao po si Father Rhoel [Gallardo], at napakaimportante na hindi magkamali sa mga bagay-bagay, hindi lang sa mga eksena, pati na kung paano siya gumalaw. Kaya mabuti na inaral talaga namin, at sa tulong nina Direk Caesar [Soriano] at Direk Rommel [Galapia Ruiz], nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na paghandaan ito." 

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McCoy de Leon as Fr. Rhoel Gallardo

As part of his preparation, the actor had a short immersion at the church where Fr. Rhoel started his vocation.

"Pumunta kami dito [Claret School] mismo. Tinuruan ako kung paano magmisa, at kung paano maging misyonaryong pari. Isa sa pinakanatandaan ko ‘yung bababa ka sa pagkatao mo. Kasi kami bilang artista, dumadating sa point na feeling namin kilala kami ng lahat, kaya… pinagwalis ako para ma-feel ko na nasa baba ako. Para maramdaman ko na wala kang ikakahiya,” McCoy added.

According to the actor, accepting the role of Fr. Rhoel gave him the balance needed portraying the evil David in "FPJ's Batang Quiapo." 

"Pambawi ko po ito sa mismong life ko ngayon kasi dalawang taon ako sa 'Batang Quaipo' talagang natatak sa akin yung character kaya nung dumating itong 'In Thy Name,' na balance talaga paano gagawin yung dalawang character," McCoy explained.

How McCoy's faith change

As a devout Catholic himself, McCoy also got honest about how his faith changed while prepping.

"Yung faith ko bago gawin yung pelikula mas lumawak, hindi siya yung simpleng dasal na humihiling, para ko na siyang kausap na parang kaibigan," McCoy said.

"In Thy Name" follows the story of Father Rhoel Gallardo, a Claretian priest, who was abducted in the town of Sumisip, along with several students and faculty members by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as led by Khadaffy Janjalani and Abu Sabaya.

Directed by Ceasar Soriano and Rommel Galapia Ruiz, the film stars John Estrada, Jerome Ponce, Mon Confiado, JC De Vera, Arron Villaflor, Gold Aceron, Martin Escudero, Pen Medina , Yves Flores, Alex Medina, Ynez Veneracion, Aya Fernandez, Soliman Cruz,  Elora Españo, Kat Galang, Ana Abad Santos, Richard Quan, Kenken Nuyad, Cassy Lavarias, JM Soriano.

Produced by GreatCzar Media Productions, “In Thy Name” opens in cinemas nationwide this Ash Wednesday, March 5.

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