Posted by ReyFort Media
For Caesar Soriano, winning Best Director and Best Picture at the 2026 Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards for “In Thy Name” is about more than personal recognition. It is an opportunity to bring the story of martyred priest Father Rhoel Gallardo to more Filipinos and share its message of faith.
In an online interview on Thursday, October 29, Direk Caesar said he entered the film in FAMAS hoping the recognition would encourage more people to watch it.
“It’s not really for me. The FAMAS win means hindi panalo ni Direk Caesar. It is a panalo ni Father Rhoel Gallardo for his cause to inspire a lot of people amidst the crises that we are experiencing right now,” he said.
Amid the country’s political and economic turmoil, Direk Caesar sees Father Rhoel’s story as a source of inspiration and hopes the awards will lead audiences to learn about the priest’s martyrdom.
The producer-director described the awards as a gift from God and Father Rhoel. With endorsements from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), he hopes to bring “In Thy Name” to more parishes and communities and strengthen audiences’ faith.
A former ABS-CBN television reporter, Direk Caesar said filmmaking has given him a way to explore social issues and stories he felt he could not fully convey through news reporting.
“Lahat ng mga storya ko, lahat ng mga balita, parang hindi ako satisfied,” he said. “Ito ang hantungan na mas na-express ko lalo at na-enhance ko lalo at mas lalong maintindihan, lalong-lalo mga social issues, mga istoryang hindi pa maintindihan at nalalaman ng mga tao.”
His production outfit, GreatCzar, is preparing to expand its film slate, with two projects being finalized. McCoy de Leon, who won the FAMAS Best Actor award for his portrayal of Father Rhoel, is also set to star in the upcoming films after impressing the director with his zeal. Playing the kidnapped priest was no walk in the park, but McCoy accepted the challenge and endured the physically demanding scenes in “In Thy Name” without complaint. McCoy immersed himself in the role, even meeting with a bishop to deepen his understanding of the character.
“Lahat ng paghihirap, talagang sabi ko humanda ka kasi bubugbugin ka kasi parang ‘Passion of Christ’ ito,” the director told McCoy.
The role involved scenes in which McCoy was struck, spat on and urinated on to depict the abuse Father Rhoel suffered. But Direk Caesar said it was not the physical ordeal alone that made the actor’s performance stand out. Rather, it was McCoy’s ability to convey the priest’s faith through subtle expressions and actions.
“Alam mo ‘yung nagpapanalo kay McCoy? All throughout the film nakikita mo ang character ni Father Rhoel, so quiet, hindi maraming salita pero yung mata niya, yung mukha, yung actions niya. ‘Yan ang napapanalo sa tingin ko kay McCoy, because he was able to miraculously relate what the meaning of things, ‘yung pananalig sa pananampalataya,” he said.
Making the film proved to be a trial of faith for Direk Caesar, too. The production faced financial pressures, scheduling conflicts, bad weather and other setbacks. At one point, he considered halting the project.
“Sabi ko baka hindi na muna natin ituloy. But I don’t know the force that really pushed me. Ito natapos ko at maganda naman ang kinalabasan,” he said.
Completing “In Thy Name” brought significant changes to his life.
“After I finished the film, ang laki ng pagbabago sa buhay ko… ang raming blessings na dumating. Marami mga challenges, pero pinagpasalamat ko, dahil through those challenges, naintindihan ko pa lalo ang buhay at naintindihan ko pa lalo paano ang maglingkod at maging kasangkapan para sa kapayapaan,” he said.
While he did not point to any extraordinary experience while filming, Direk Caesar said he felt Father Rhoel continued to inspire him to carry the film’s mission forward.
“Hindi man siya nagpapakita, wala man akong ka-gulat-gulat na naramdaman pero nafi-feel ko tinutulungan ako ni Father Rhoel Gallardo to push really and gawin lahat para mangyari itong gusto niya na sana tayo ay hindi mawalan ng pananampalataya, ang faith na para sa marami mga taong hopeless na ngayon bumalik tayo sa Panginoon, bumalik tayong mahalin ang ating kapwa at maging mabuting tao,” he said.
(Malaya Business Insight)
CAPTION: CAESAR SORIANO and McCoy de Leon
Maricel Soriano, Maris Racal, McCoy de Leon among big winners at 74th FAMAS
Kapamilya actor McCoy de Leon bagged the Best Actor trophy at the 74th FAMAS Awards held at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday night. De Leon, who portrayed Father Rhoel Gallardo in the movie “In Thy Name,” bested Jericho Rosales, who was an early favorite to take home the win for his performance in “Quezon.”
During his acceptance speech, McCoy dedicated his award to his loved ones, particularly to his daughter Feliz, and said, “Anak, best actor na si daddy!”
His movie also took home the Best Picture award, along with the Best Director trophy for Cesar Soriano.
“Hindi ko naiintindihan ang nararamdaman namin ngayon, but I’d like to thank FAMAS for these recognitions. We never imagined that we would come to this far. I believe that the result or the recognition is not a recognition of the film, but the recognition of the sacrifices, the pain, the martyrdom of Father Rhoel Gallardo,” said Soriano.
De Leon said he took the movie’s premise of faith to heart, “Pangarap ko ‘to dati eh, parang ‘di ko na naisip eh, pero binitawan ko na siya. Sabi ko, masaya na ko na may work ako.”
During the Best Actress announcement, Maris Racal was called first with the Actress of Distinction award for her performance in “Sunshine.” Racal was emotional onstage and dedicated her trophy to her sisters, who were her first supporters when she started out in the biz at the early age of 16.
“Pinagdasal ko to,” she said. “Ang sarap sa feeling when you realize that when your hard work has paid off. I give this to my 16-year old self na pinaghirapan lahat. I am humbled.”
Speaking to ABS-CBN News, Racal shared that she is more inspired to take on roles that would push her acting chops to the test.
“Gusto ko ‘yung mga roles na alam kong paghihirapan ko, aaralin ko, ‘yung mag-o-obssessed na naman ako. ‘Yun ‘yung hinahanap ko,” she said.
After Racal, another name was called — Maricel Soriano, Best Actress, for the film “Meet, Greet and Bye.” She dedicated and shared her award with her co-stars in the movie and her fans.
As of press time, FAMAS organizers have not yet released a clarificatory statement or explanation regarding the difference between Soriano’s Best Actress award and the Actress of Distinction award given to Racal.
Meanwhile, Karylle and Mon Confiado won Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor, respectively, for their outstanding performances in the biopic “Quezon.”
“Siyempre nakakatuwa na ‘yung mga supporting ng ‘Quezon’ ay nagkaroon ng puwang naman this time dito sa FAMAS. Natutuwa ako na na-recognize ‘yung pagganap ko sa ‘Quezon’ as Emilio Aguinaldo. As I’ve said, ang pagganap ko kay Emilio Aguinaldo ay hindi madali,” said Confiado. (MJ Felipe/abs-cbn )
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