JesCom takes “leap of faith” to make film on St. Ignatius

Jesuit Communications Foundation (JesCom) is not exactly a new production company. JesCom traces its roots to theater stalwart Fr. James Reuter who is billed as the pillar of local Catholic media. Engaged in the creation of audiovisual materials for evangelization and education for almost 30 years, JesCom produces music CDs, Lenten television specials, and the weekly show of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, “The Word Exposed,” which is now aired worldwide via the internet and TV networks in the US and Canada. JesCom has also made a Marilou Diaz-Abaya-directed film, Maging Akin Muli that starred Marvin Agustin as a struggling seminarian.

Over the years, JesCom has become known as a prime mover in local Church media. More recently, JesCom organized the Church media coverage of Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines last year. It also produced the said Papal visit’s official documentary that was sent to the Vatican.

However, JesCom’s over two decades of experience did not prepare it for its biggest production yet—a full-length feature film about the life of St. Ignatius entitled Ignacio de Loyola. The English-language film directed by Paolo Dy tackles the dramatic conversion of St. Ignatius from a “man of violence,” a soldier, into a man of God.

According to historical consultant Fr. Rene Javellana, S.J., the project was borne out of a lack of contemporary materials about the founder of the Society of Jesus.  He says, “The last feature was in the 1940s, in black and white and in Spanish.” Fr. Javellana adds that the current film is dedicated to young people who are grappling with crucial life decisions. “It shows how the ambitious Iñigo Lopez de Loyola struggled to make sense of his life and thwarted ambition.”

Fr. Emmanuel “Nono” Alfonso, S.J., head of JesCom and the movie’s executive producer, strongly believes in the inspiring power of cinema and cites himself as a proof of the art form’s influence. “Why a film on St. Ignatius?” he says. “I, myself, was inspired by a film, The Mission starring Robert de Niro as a Jesuit missionary in South America, and that film made me consider the priesthood.”

Shot on location in Spain, Ignacio de Loyola boasts a fine cast composed of Spanish actors headlined by Andreas Muñoz who plays Ignacio, with Javier Godino (Everybody Has A Plan and El Secreto de Sus Ojos, Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film), Isabel Garcia Lorca (Desperately Seeking Susan, Yo, Tambien), Pepe Ocio (Camino), and Spanish-American actor Julio Perillan (Vicky Cristina Barcelona).

Ignacio de Loyola took four years to make and its production budget reached that of a big local mainstream studio film because of the location, costumes and sets, CGI, sound and music. Noted composer Ryan Cayabyab created an original musical score performed by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra. “It’s our most expensive project!” Fr. Nono says of Ignacio de Loyola. “Maging Akin Muli’s budget was only five million pesos.” The film is the first Filipino full-length feature to be screened at the Vatican. The screening was held last June 14 at the Salle della Filmoteca Vaticana, the very theater where Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI watched movies.

Fr. Nono is extremely thankful for their supporters, such as co-presenters Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific and One Meralco Foundation, for making their dream film a reality. “We are thankful to them and to everyone who helped. Donors believed in our cause. Members of the team agreed to work on a tight budget,” he cites. “This is truly a leap of faith. We continue to feel God’s hands guiding us every step of the way.”

Ignacio de Loyola opens in Philippine theaters beginning July 27. For more information about the film, check out For more information about the film, check out facebook.com/ignaciomovie and follow ignaciomovie on Twitter and Instagram.