One of my ultimate favorite book was "Noli Me Tangere," written by National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal. This was tackled during my high school days and I can still remember how we did our play back then since our grade depended on it but I really enjoyed reading it.

Noli Me Tangere has brought some of the most iconic characters in the Philippine Literature. There’s the idealistic Crisostomo Ibarra, the tragic character of Sisa, and of course, the corrupt friar, Padre Damaso. This priest, in the end, was revealed to be Maria Clara’s biological father.

“Damaso” has become a term identifying catholic hypocrisy or corruption. The book highlighted the dirty side of politics and other society problems of the PPhilippine.

Fast forward to the present, we’re to set to see a side of the friar not portrayed in our books. In Joven Tan’s Damaso, a musical-within-a-film tackles the human side of this iconic villain.

Damaso features the story of writer Fernando Damaso (Marlo Mortel), who seeks to materialize his story to a film. At the same time, it goes back in the past, revealing that his book counterpart, Padre Damaso (Arnel Ignacio), is facing the same problems of his own.

Meet some of the cast of DAMASO

The cast shared their experiences working on the film during the Media conference


Bida Man Jin Macapagal is Crisostomo Ibarra, this is his first film. Watch the video to know more about his experience.



Photos taken during the MediaCon

Damaso stars Aiko Melendez, Nyoy Volante, Ketchup Eusebio, Irma Adlawan, Arnel Ignacio, Marlo Mortel, Riva Queenery, Jin Macapagal, and many more. This musical-within-a-film will show how the struggles we (and the entertainment industry too) are facing today are no different from the abuse Filipinos encountered under the Spanish colonization. To have more in-depth and entertaining storytelling, the film showcases the character’s thoughts and feelings through singing and dancing. 

Damaso premieres on November 20, 2019.