How John Arcilla overcame doubts in playing controversial Fr. Suarez
After starring in “Heneral Luna” and the offer to play the charismatic healing priest Father Suarez came, John Arcilla thought that doing biopics is probably part of his calling.
But he admitted to having some doubts. Before the script written by Bernard Canabral reached him, John researched about Father Suarez in the internet and he stumbled upon the controversy involving the priest.
“I got cold feet. I told myself why did I say yes? But how can I back out when I already said yes,” John revealed at the presscon of “Father Suarez: The Healing Priest” held Thursday at Little Owl Restaurant in Quezon City.
While having doubts, John decided to watch his homilies. “Ang galing niya magsalita. He is very charismatic. He can speak to all kinds of people and he gets the message across.”
So he told the team of Saranggola Media Productions that he wants to meet and talk to Father Suarez personally. “I told myself that after talking with him, I will decide with finality if I will back out or accept it. I just want to hear him. I don’t want him to tell the story regarding the controversy. I just want to talk to him.”
When the day of the meeting came, John felt positive when he entered the hotel lobby and then he saw the very humble, simple priest. When he heard him talk, he didn’t see Father Suarez as someone who is justifying or trying to defend himself. He was just telling his story.
“I felt the sincerity and the honesty. He talked about the controversy but he did not deny it. He just said he is not guilty. I believe God will protect me. It was that simple, no resistance, no drama. I didn’t make the controversy a reason to back out,” said John, adding that Father Suarez said he is a fan of his films. He had seen “Heneral Luna” and wanted John to portray him.
Directed by Joven Tan, the movie focuses on the life of Fernando Suarez, particularly his struggles and triumphs as a young man and when he became a priest, his compassion for the people’s welfare, his trust and faith in God’s divine plans and wisdom, and the legacy of kindness, healing and love experienced by those whose lives were touched by God’s grace through him.
“Whatever apprehensions I had before filming, when I met, saw and conversed with him during the initial story conference, he is a simple normal person telling stories, not the priest using his magical words and charisma. The film is about his total trust in God that he will not be forsaken.”
While filming, John decided not to mimic or copy him. He just took his essence and some of his demeanor but what the actor totally embraced was his unwavering trust in the Almighty.
“In my lines in the movie, which mostly came from him, he had surrendered his life to his vocation with totality,” said John. “He totally surrendered all to his beliefs and vocation. His vocation and the responsibility attached to his priesthood are the most precious gifts God gave him. He is aware of his charismatic and healing ability but he believes these abilities came from God.”
“He said to me, ‘This healing power does not belong to me. Anytime God wants to take this healing power, His will be done. I am not afraid. My priestly duties and my responsibilities as a healer comes with great responsibility. This is a grace that cannot be measured. This is His manifestation of His love to all of us. My mission in life to bring back the flock to Him, for those who are weary and needs rest, seek Him for comfort and strength, for everyone to feel that He has not abandoned and forsaken us because He is in all of us. It is God’s unconditional love for all of us that heals. I am His humble servant.’”
Also in the cast are Dante Rivero, Troy Montero, Mario Mortel, Alice Dixon, Rosanna Roces, Jairus Aquino, Rita Avila, Richard Quan, Gina Pareno and Jin Macapagal as the young Fr. Suarez.
“Father Suarez: The Healing Priest” is available for viewing from Dec. 25 onwards on
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