Gloria Romero as Virgin Mary

In the mid-‘50s, Gloria Romero played the Blessed Virgin Mary in the play Martir sa Golgota, staged at the Manila Grand Opera House. The English play was translated in Pilipino by Pedrito Reyes.

Jesus Christ was portrayed by American actor Jenning Sturgeon, who was also Christ in the movie Kalbaryo ni Hesus.

Others in the cast of Martir sa Golgota were Nena Cardinas as Mary Magdalene and Rita Rivera as Veronica. Virgilio Hilario was Sr. John.

In the annual Holy Week presentation of Martir sa Golgota at the Opera House, Gloria played the Blessed Mother thrice. Others who played Mary Magdalene were Miss Philippines Christina Pacheco and socialite Edith Nakpil.

Jenning Sturgeon(right) as Jesus Christ. Gloria at the foot of the cross, flanked by Nena Cardenas (Mary Magdalene) and Rita Rivera (Veronica) (far right).

The Archbishop of Manila, Rufino Santos, praised the choice of Gloria as she had (then and now) a wholesome image.

Years back, Gloria reprised the Blessed Virgin Mary role with Richard Gomez as Christ, in the Lenten presentation of That’s Entertainment, hosted and directed by Master Showman German Moreno. Kuya Germs himself played Jesus Christ in a Lenten drama of Clover Theater, where he started his showbiz career.

In the 1952 movie Dimas with Rogelio de la Rosa in the title role, Jose Corazon de Jesus Jr. was Christ. The last actor who played Jesus Christ on the big screen was Archie Ranillo in Kristo.

It would be wonderful if a film on Jesus Christ is made today, preferably shot in Holy Land.  — RKC