‘ Like faith, humor is a gift from God.’
For the title of today’s column, we would like to give credit to Roi Paolo Calilong, the director of the new movie “Isang Komedya sa Langit” which opens on May 28 in 15 selected SM Cinemas nationwide, and at Greenhills Theater.
“Isang Komedya sa Langit,” Direk Roi’s full-length directorial debut, tells the story of three Filipino priests from 1872 who are suddenly transported to the present. The trio from the past initially feels out-of-place, and their cluelessness about the modern times leads to funny mishaps. But because of their pure hearts, they touch the lives of the people they meet.
Writer-producer Rossana Hwang of Kapitana Entertainment Media describes the film as “a blend of comedy, faith and love for country in a heartwarming tribute to the enduring Filipino spirit.”
Cast as the three priests are Jaime Fabregas, EA Guzman and Gene Padilla; two of the people they encounter in the present are played by Carmi Martin and Aki Blanco.
Making a comedy that promotes good values and inspires nationalism is a big challenge. Add to this the theme of faith in God. How does one preach while also eliciting laughter? Thankfully, the makers are seasoned in the field of comedy.
Direk Roi has experience in directing sitcoms (as assistant director) and has appeared in a many sitcoms, himself. Aki is an alumnus of the TV 5 gag show “Lokomoko,” while EA is a mainstay of GMA 7’s long-running comedy program “Bubble Gang.” Gene has starred in several comedy films and TV shows, and he comes from the Padilla family of comedians.
Who could forget that Carmi developed her comedic timing via the iconic sitcom “Chicks to Chicks,” and Jaime was one of the stars of the funny political newscast “Sic O Clock News” aired in the late 1980s?
Indeed, Rossana a.k.a. Kapitana (as she was a former captain of a barangay in Makati City) had assembled a dream cast.
Carmi, whose character is a grandmother who owns an “ukay-ukay” shop, was drawn to the project as soon as she read the script. “Napukaw ako,” she said during a press conference. “I find it na maay half historical, half comedy. May time travel pa. When I read the script, I found the material to be a light and enjoyable movie.”
Kapitana Rossana showed “Isang Komedya sa Langit” to popular broadcaster and economist Solita “Mareng Winnie” Monsod. Winnie was said to have been impressed especially with the performance of Carmi.
Direk Roi complimented the cast for their talent and how they gelled together. “Na-inspire ako sa kanila. They’re very professional,” he said.
Direk Roi also said that each star imbibed their respective characters well. “Si Miss Carmi, dahil ‘funky’ siyang lola, nakakatawa ‘yung shifts niya from lola to a younger person. Yung mga ‘pitik-pitik’ ni Miss Carmi, perfect sa kanya…. Si Tito Jaime, good fun humor yung pagiging senior niya among the priests.
“Si Kuya Gene, classic na madaldal. Siya yung pinaka-unfiltered ang bibig. Si EA, kaya niyang magbitaw ng funny lines na Espanyol with a very straight face. Hindi siya nagbi-break ng character. Si Aki, hindi siya masyadong nagpapatawa rito pero siya yung pinakamabilis kumilos; maliksi, very nimble.”
Priests from the Spanish colonial period trying to live in the modern time certainly sounds absurd. Direk Roi admitted that what they made the three priests do in the film might even border on blasphemous. “Kasi dapat iginagalang sila dahil nakasutana sila,” said Direk Roi. “Pero pinagsuot namin sila ng colorful, ng polka dotted outfits. Si EA, may ducks na print sa t-shirt niya.”
However, let’s not forget that priests, and religious people for that matter, can be the funniest. Just think of the priests who inject their homilies with jokes. Also, recently, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle made headlines for his frank confession of bringing candy to the conclave and offering it to Cardinal Robert Prevost who eventually became Pope Leo XIV. It was his “first act of charity” to the current Pope, Cardinal Tagle quipped.
Like faith, humor is a gift from God. For the makers of “Isang Komedya sa Langit,” genuine joy is not some far-fetched thing in the heavens, but a condition that can definitely be achieved on earth.
