Kristo (1996 film)
Encyclopedia
Kristo is a 1996 Filipino film based on the Gospel of John
Gospel of John
The Gospel According to John , commonly referred to as the Gospel of John or simply John, and often referred to in New Testament scholarship as the Fourth Gospel, is an account of the public ministry of Jesus...

, Kristo
Kristo
Kristo is a given name, and may refer to:* Kristo Das Pal , Indian publicist* Kristo Numpuby , guitarist and singer-See also:* Christo * Cristo* Krist* Krista* Kristi* Krišto* Kristy* Kristo...

is a Filipino cinematic interpretation of the life of Jesus Christ. Produced in 1996 by Cine Suerte Productions and Oasis of Love Movement (by Fr. Sonny Ramirez, OP, host of the telemagazine Sharing in the City), Kristo stars Mat Ranillo III in the title role, together with Rez Cortez (as Judas Iscariot), Ruel Vernal (Peter), Michael Locsin (John), freelance model and then college student Charmaine Rivera (in her first and only film appearance as Virgin Mary), and Amy Austria (Mary Magdalene).

The film also includes an all-star cast in their cameo appearances playing various characters. Among them are Gabby Concepcion (John the Baptist), husband-and-wife pair Rudy Fernandez and Lorna Tolentino (as Simon the Cyrenean and Veronica respectively), Aga Muhlach (the demon-possessed man), Rachel Lobangco (the Temptress, in which Satan is in a female form in the temptation of the desert scene), Silvia Sanchez (the adulteress), Ang TV
Ang TV
Ang TV also known as ATV is a "gag-variety" show for kids in the Philippines. The show's format was inspired by its predecessor "Kaluskos Musmos" and its foreign counterpart "The Mickey Mouse Club"...

star and singer Lindsay Custodio (Salome), and Christopher de Leon (as Dismas/Dimas as credited in the film).

Plot and setting

Set in the Filipino ethnic background with some ancient Roman and Israeli setting, Kristo was shot in various locations such as Intramuros
Intramuros
Intramuros is the oldest district in the present day city of Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines. Nicknamed the "Walled City", Intramuros is the historic fortified city of Manila, the seat ot the government during the Spanish Colonial Period. Its name in Latin, intramuros,...

, Lawton
Lawton
-Places:United States:* Lawton, Iowa* Lawton, Michigan* Lawton, North Dakota* Lawton, Oklahoma* Lawton, West Virginia, an unincorporated community in Fayette County* Lawton, Wisconsin...

 and Luneta in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...

, as well as in Laguna and Pampanga.

The film starts with an open book following the birth of Jesus Christ (appeared on illustrations). Live action scenes or the flow of the story follows the next page 30 years after the birth of Christ. The film ends with Jesus' ascension and the illustrated version on the last page with a Biblical message.

Major roles

  • Mat Ranillo III as Jesus Christ (Hesu Kristo or Jesucristo)
  • Charmaine Rivera as Virgin Mary (Birheng Maria)
  • Amy Austria
    Amy Austria
    Amy Austria-Ventura is a FAMAS and Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino film and television actress....

     as Mary Magdalene (Maria Magdalena)
  • Ruel Vernal as Peter (Pedro)
  • Rez Cortez as Judas Iscariot (Judas Iscariote)
  • Michael Locsin as John (Juan)

Cameo roles (in order of appearance)

  • Gabby Concepcion
    Gabby Concepcion
    Gabby Concepcion is a Filipino actor and businessman.-Early Life:Gabby was born in San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines to Rolando “Rollie” Concepcion and Lourdes Arellano. He is the great grandson of prominent Manila landmark architect Juan Arellano...

     as John the Baptist (Juan Bautista)
  • Rachel Lobangco as the Temptress (Manunukso)
  • Paquito Diaz
    Paquito Diaz
    Francisco Bustillos Diaz, better known by his screen name Paquito Diaz , was a veteran Filipino actor and movie director. He specialized in action and comedy.-Early life and career:Diaz was born in Pampanga, Philippines...

     as Herod Antipas
  • Sheila Ysrael as Herodias
  • Lindsay Custodio as Salome
  • Aga Muhlach
    Aga Muhlach
    Ariel Aquino Muhlach , commonly known as Aga Muhlach, is a 2-time Gawad Urian and FAMAS award-winning Filipino actor and product endorser...

     as the possessed (ang sinapian ng masamang espiritu)
  • Silvia Sanchez as the adultress (mang-aapid)
  • Ricky Davao
    Ricky Davao
    Ricardo Manuel Caballes Davao , better known as Ricky Davao, is a Filipino actor. He is the husband of actress Jackie Lou Blanco. He is the younger brother of Bing Davao and the son of Charlie Davao.-Television:...

     as Barabbas
  • Dante Rivero
    Dante Rivero
    Dante Rivero is a FAMAS award-winning and Gawad Urian Award-nominated Filipino film and television actor.-Television :-Movies:*2002 Bro.....

     as the Sanhedrin (Sacerdote)
  • Tony Mabesa as Caiaphas
  • Romy Rivera as Pontius Pilate (Poncio Pilato)
  • Maila Gumila as Claudia
  • Rudy Fernandez
    Rudy Fernandez (actor)
    Rodolfo "Rudy" Valentino Padilla Fernandez , also known as "Daboy", was a multi-awarded Filipino actor and producer. He came to prominence as an action star in the Philippine cinema during the 1980s up to the early 1990s.-Career:Fernandez was born in Manila, the son of film director Gregorio...

     as Simon of Cyrene (Simon ang Cireneo)
  • Lorna Tolentino
    Lorna Tolentino
    Victoria Lorna Aluquin-Fernandez, better known as Lorna Tolentino , is a Filipina actress, host, executive producer and widow of actor Rudy Fernandez. Together, they bore two sons named Ralph and Renz.She was born on December 23, 1961 in Concepcion, Tarlac and later moved to Manila...

     as Veronica
  • Gardo Versoza
    Gardo Versoza
    Gardo Versoza, born Mennen Torres Polintan on November 8, 1969, is a popular Filipino actor who has appeared in over forty movies and dozens of television shows. He started out in roles such as Sabik Sa Halik, Machete II, Halimuyak Ng Babae and Kirot. Later, he went on to star in action movies...

     as Gestas (Hestas)
  • Christopher de Leon
    Christopher De Leon
    -2007 Elections:In 2007, he decided to run as Vice Governor of Batangas. This claims that if her former on screen partner, Vilma Santos won the governorship, then he might win as Vice Governor. He became the running mate of former police officer Nestor Sanares...

     as Dismas (Dimas)

Facts

  • Mat Ranillo III's portrayal of Jesus Christ was a reprise from his role in a theater version since 1977, alongside with Rez Cortez (as Judas Iscariot). He was also nominated as "Best Actor" by the Film Academy of the Philippines in 1997.
  • Before being made into a film, Kristo was a "Senakulo" in dance-drama played at the Folk Arts Theater in April 1977.
  • This is director Ben "M7" Yalung's second film in religious content. The first being "Divine Mercy: Sa Buhay Ni Sister Faustina" (starring former matinee idol and MTV VJ Donita Rose
    Donita Rose
    Donita Rose-Villarama, , also known as Donita Rose, Donita, is a Filipina actress, TV Host and former MTV Asia VJ.-Biography:...

     in the tile role) in 1993. Yalung also produced and directed Ama Namin (under Premiere Productions and DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation
    El Shaddai
    El Shaddai [shah-'dah-yy] is one of the Judaic names of God, with its etymology coming from the influence of the Ugaritic religion on modern Judaism. El Shaddai is conventionally translated as God Almighty...

    ) and Birhen ng Manaoag.
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