Edna Luna is ‘Santa Lucia’

In 1956, People’s Pictures (released thru Premiere Productions) produced Santa Lucia which dramatized the life and martyrdom of the beloved Italian saint. Santa Lucia was portrayed by Edna Luna, pretty and innocent looking and who achieved fame in the early ’50s as Dyesebel.

Premiere Productions also produced two ‘santa’ movies, Sta. Rita de Casia starring Rosemarie Gil and Sta. Cristina, with Arsenia Francisco.

Tradition and legend had it that Santa Lucia was the daughter of noble parents, a dedicated virgin who gave away her goods to feed the poor and refused all offers of marriage. On one occasion, she tore out her eyes to discourage an admirer, but they were miraculously restored to her. Denounced as a Christian by a rejected suitor, Santa Lucia was sentenced to prostitution in a brothel, but by a miracle the guards could not take her there.

Divine intervention also saved her from being burned to death. Finally, her throat was cut with a sword in 304 Syracause, Italy. Her feast day is celebrated every Dec. 13, where young girls in white offer her flowers, invoking that they remain chaste and pure. Santa Lucia is the patron saint of eye ailments.

Sharing stellar billing with Edna Luna in Santa Lucia are Arsenia Francisco as her mother, Eduardo del Mar, Corazon Rivas, Jose Romulo, Carol Varga, Lauro Delgado, Ruben Rustia and Ramon D’ Salva.— RKC