Film on Fr. Rhoel Gallardo’s martyrdom to be shown in Philippines dioceses

A film that tackles the martyrdom of Claretian missionary Fr. Rhoel Gallardo, which had a recent successful premiere in Cebu, will be shown in Philippine dioceses, related to its director, Ceasar Soriano. 

Entitled “In Thy Name,” the film is about the untold story of Fr. Gallardo, who was among the many victims of the Abu Sayyaf, an extremist group that sowed terror in the 2000s.

He was among those abducted from a Claretian school in Tumahubong, Basilan, in southern Philippines, and suffered brutality, torture, and execution with three teachers and five students. That was while the military was in pursuit of his abductors.

Soriano, who was also a kidnap victim in Mindanao, took the challenge of telling the inspiring story despite the tragedies to advocate for Fr. Gallardo’s beatification and eventual sainthood.

In the press conference during the launch, Soriano said that while sainthood traditionally requires three miracles, these could be dispensed with because Fr. Gallardo is a martyr, and “his suffering itself was a testament to his unyielding faith.”

He hopes the film will result in a more engaged and supportive audience for the beatification process. 

“We were informed that the film will be shown in dioceses nationwide,” said Soriano of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ pledge, extending beyond the commercial cinemas.

He added the plans by the director general of the Claretian Missionaries to take the film to foreign countries, particularly in the Vatican.”

For Soriano, the film is also his therapy or personal healing from his abduction experience in Jolo in 1993.

“My healing process comes from telling stories where people can learn valuable life lessons. That’s what helps me with my healing process and to recover from all the pain and nightmares,” he said.

Because of some violent scenes, the film has an R16 rating.