If you are a fan of historical films, you might want to mark your calendar for the upcoming movie GomBurZa, a film that tells the story of three Catholic priests who were executed by the Spanish colonial government in 1872 for their alleged involvement in a nationalist uprising.
The film, produced by Jesuit Communications (JesCom), the media arm of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines, features a stellar cast of actors who will bring to life the roles of Padre Mariano Gomez, Padre José Burgos, and Padre Jacinto Zamora, collectively known as GomBurZa.
The film is directed by Pepe Diokno, a young and acclaimed filmmaker who won the Venice International Film Festival Orrizonti Prize for his debut film Engkwentro in 2009. The screenplay is written by Rody Vera, a celebrated playwright and screenwriter who penned the scripts for acclaimed films such as Norte: The End of History, On The Job, and Signal Rock.
The cast of GomBurZa is composed of award-winning and versatile actors who have proven their skills in various genres and platforms. Playing the lead roles are Dante Rivero as Padre Gomez, Cedrick Juan as Padre Burgos, and Enchong Dee as Padre Zamora.
Rivero is a veteran actor who has appeared in over 244 TV shows and movies, including On The Job 2: The Missing 8, for which he won an Urian Best Supporting Actor award. He said that he loves his role as Padre Gomez and that he wants to engage the audience with his performance.
Juan is a theater-trained actor who has appeared in independent films such as Kalel, 15, Big Night!, and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral. He said that playing Padre Burgos is the biggest break of his 10-year acting career and that he is giving his best effort, time, and heart to prepare for it.
Dee is a matinee idol who has starred in rom-coms and teleseryes, but has also shown his range in indie films such as I Love You To Death and Mga Kuwentong Barbero. He said that he wants to portray Padre Zamora as someone who is very human and relatable to the audience.
One of the most intriguing additions to the cast is Spanish actor Kuya Manzano, who will play the role of Padre Tressera, a dubious friar in the film. We saw him in Katipunan tv series by GMA TV, and more recently for the hit TV series: He’s Into Her by iWant TV, and Mamasapano film during the last MMFF 2023.
Joining them are an impressive list of actors that includes Epi Quizon, Jaime Fabregas, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Khalil Ramos, Elijah Canlas, Neil Ryan Sese, Paolo O’Hara, Tommy Alejandrino, Gerry Kaimo, Anthony Falcon, Dylan Tay Talon, Jomari Angeles, Bon Lentejas, and many more.
One of the special roles in the film is that of Padre Pédro Pelaéz, the Filipino clergy leader who was a mentor of Padre Burgos. This role will be played by none other than Piolo Pascual, one of the most popular and respected actors in Philippine showbiz.
The film aims to honor the legacy of GomBurZa and their contribution to Philippine history. Their execution sparked a wave of nationalism among Filipinos and inspired many revolutionaries such as Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and Emilio Aguinaldo.
The film also hopes to shed light on the lesser-known aspects of their lives, such as their personalities, their struggles, their relationships, and their faith. The film will show how they were not only heroes but also human beings with hopes and dreams.
GomBurZa is slated to be released later this year. The production team and cast gathered for a mass and send-off event on Feb. 16 at the Manila Cathedral, where the remains of GomBurZa are interred.
The film is expected to be a cinematic masterpiece that will not only entertain but also educate and inspire viewers. It is a film that celebrates the courage and sacrifice of GomBurZa and their role in shaping Philippine history.
