Felix Manalo

Felix Manalo is a controversial film.

He did not face a battalion of armies in the movie. He was a worm who moved mountains. As Teddy Locsin tweeted, "the beauty of Felix Manalo movie is that the action is limited to theological points being made and won, not violence...a compelling narrative of people who took religion seriously..."

It showed how Manalo transferred from one religion to another. From Roman Catholic, to Methodist Episcopal Church, to Christian Mission and to the Seventh- day Adventist Church, with some engagements with atheist and agnostic friends.

He fought the biggest established religions in the world brought by the colonizers of the Philippines.

At a time when Filipinos had belief, he believed that we Filipinos were ready to accept the truth and ready for change.

Why did he turn his back to the other churches? His reply was short and crisp. Theirs was a false religion.

Erehe! He was called such by actor Jaime Fabregas in that awkward scene when Felix Manalo refused sacrament from the priest for his dying mother.

The social media critics of INC will definitely love or hate the heated exchanges of Dennis Trillo in the scene with Philip Salvador and Ryan Eigenmann who portrayed the role of other sect leaders in a bible exposition. That scene was, to me, one of the most elegant discourses of faith in the movie.

2. Dennis Trillo's performance is for the Oscars!

We know Trillo as a good and versatile actor. But in this movie, which essays various periods of the INC and Philippine history, Dennis Trillo transformed himself from a refined young character to an eloquent and mature charismatic leader. Even in the rhythm of his delivery of lines, he sounded very close to Ka Felix Manalo whose real audio voice is played when you visit the INC Museum at the Central Temple.

I had to re-tweet Locsin again. He posted: "Si Dennis Trillo is an Oscar level star. What acting, soft, subtle, eloquent with difficult lines."

Dennis Trillo has the most close-ups and most of the time, his acting is only visible with the movement of his eyes, lips, forehead and jaw. While breathing, he was already acting Felix Manalo.

For sure, Dennis Trillo will reap awards for this sterling portrayal of Ka Felix Manalo.

Bela Padilla as Ka Ata, on the other hand, is a casting perfection!

3. Felix Manalo has the makings of being one of the greatest Filipino films of all time.

If you are a non-INC member or an Iglesia basher who calls INC a 'cult' in social media, attempt to imagine that the film is just about a common Filipino, and his name is Felix Manalo.

The film is not only about him. This picture is about the strength, deep conviction, audaciousness and the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people to conquer hopelessness and ignorance.

It is also the Filipino's journey in standing up against the abuses of the rich and powerful colonizers. The fight for freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

After long and careful study of the Bible, Felix Manalo saw the inaccuracies and misinterpretations of the doctrines of the religions that he belonged to. He then taught the truth based solely on what he read in the Bible. Then he preached the doctrines of the Church of Christ, the name of the only church that Christ has built during the early times.

Like Heneral Luna, Felix Manalo can also be called a "lunatic" as he stood up against priests and scholars 101 years ago.

In the film, Felix Manalo said that he is not the founder of this church. He is just establishing a congregation of the Church that Jesus Christ has already founded. That congregation which he preached in small places has grown to be the most influential indigenous religion of the Philippines. INC is now a fully established global church with presence in 100 countries composed of 110 nationalities.

As long as there is a locale, church of place of worship abroad, any brethren find peace in their hearts. INC's rise from a local congregation to international prominence is the Filipino's gift to the world.

To essay this remarkable story comes a stellar cast composed of 120 of the brightest names in show business, 8,000 extras and a topnotch production team led by the multi-awarded film-maker Joel Lamangan.

Like Heneral Luna, Felix Manalo is comparable with Hollywood style of film-making. Real, cerebral, sincere and grandiose. Not a single detail was left to chance, from the costumes, props, sets and location to prosthetics and visual effects. Its production design is picturesque, giving us a rustic view of the Philippines of the past.

Its sparkling cinematography provides a different texture and color that portrays the periods of history wonderfully more dramatic in evoking the moods and feelings of those times.

And the music is majestic!

The story-telling of Bienvenido Santiago was straightforward. The message of truth is brilliantly essayed in beautiful words.

Felix Manalo has all the elements of an award-winning film and the makings of being one of the greatest Filipino films of all time.

Thus, INC bashing will be elevated to a higher level of discourse. It can transform into serious intellectual exchanges of respect and deeper conversations of faith and hope.

As a proud INC Member, I was one of the 43,624 who was accounted for by the Guinness World Records during the premiere at the Philippine Arena, earning two world records for the largest attendance.

NOTE: I am a Non-INC member and I was open minded when I watched this movie.

A historical film which traces the origins of the religion, Iglesia ni Cristo. Two Guinness World Records holder.

Production design was good. The set feels what era the certain scene is in. Dennis Trillo as Felix Manalo is very applaudable. Other than that, it was very flawed. It fails cinematography, the visual effects and the storyline. It is a little disjointed and rushed and full of irrelevant scenes. Obviously religiously biased and failed to enlighten both sides. Inappropriately lengthy for this kind of movie.

Felix Manalo is quite the unwieldy pedestal for such a beloved icon. The film is tight-fisted in its desire to sanctify its subject. It provides no opportunities for discourse except for the immense one its glamorized crafting suggests.

If the purpose of the film is to enlighten, then it has failed miserably because it only persists to reinforce an image that is far too rosy and romanticized to be taken with the same seriousness one affords any other biopic with more balanced perspectives.

If the purpose however is to stir a myth out of a man's life, then the film only succeeds partially, because it only aspires to be understood and celebrated by that section of society where doubt, suspicion and curiosity are frowned upon.

I rated it 10 because it's so nice to see the Philippine setting back then, which is so much different from where we live today.

Imagine Manila, Taguig and Paranaque all looked like far flung barrios before.

The sepia effect is so soothing to the eye.

It also features Filipino traits like compassion to our fellowmen without asking for rents/payments.

There were moving scenes, like the war-torn Manila; yet Filipinos still thrived to do what they have to do.

It was very touching how Iglesia members back then continue to worship even there was war.

Most of all it features how the true 1st-century Church of Christ was re- established through Felix Manalo.

I watched this with a friend who tried to convert me.

I kept an open mind that I may enjoy the movie. All I got was confirmation that iglesia ni cristo is indeed a cult.