New film inspired by martyrdom of Filipino Claretian priest

Fr Rhoel Gallardo, who was 34 years old when he died on May 3, 2000, was killed after 43 days in captivity at the hands of Islamists terrorists.

A new film about the Filipino Claretian priest Fr Rhoel Gallardo, who was martyred by terrorists in 2000 and is now on the road to sainthood, premiered in the Philippines on Ash Wednesday. 

The movie In Thy Name was produced by Viva Films, one of the Philippines’ top movie production companies. Released two months before the anniversary of Gallardo’s death, it was screened in more than 140 cinemas around the country.

Gallardo, who was 34 years old when he died on 3 May 2000, was killed after 43 days in captivity at the hands of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf, a Filipino bandit group that espoused Islamist ideology. The Abu Sayyaf was described by the US as the most violent separatist group in the southern Philippines, and was behind some of the deadliest terror attacks in the country.

The priest was one of the most high-profile hostages of the Abu Sayyaf. Filipino Claretians said he refused a request by his kidnappers that he renounce his faith. His kidnappers shot him at close range in the head, as well as on his shoulder and back. The terrorists also pulled out the nails of his index finger and toes, according to the Claretians.

His brothers in the Claretian order in the Philippines – renamed as the “Father Rhoel Gallardo Province” in 2021 – are now pushing his cause for canonisation.

Fr Amador Tumbaga, provincial superior of the Father Rhoel Gallardo Province, presided over a Mass before the premiere night of In Thy Name at SM North, one of the country’s biggest shopping malls, on 4 March.

He said the movie was a “very beautiful” way of beginning the season of Lent, as Gallardo’s life mirrored the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. He urged viewers to “be in a prayerful disposition when you watch the film”.

Tumbaga said it was fitting that the premiere night was preceded by a Mass because In Thy Name “is not an ordinary film”.

“In Thy Name is a prayer, because it’s the story of God’s love,” Tumbaga said. “In Thy Name is the story of God’s relationship with his people.”

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