Iniibig Kita... Father Salvador

Iniibig Kita... Father Salvador
Iniibig Kita... Father Salvador
Directed by	Pablo Santiago
Screenplay by	Mar V. Puato
Story by	Celso Al. Carunungan
Starring	Vic Vargas; Helen Gamboa; Leila Hermosa; Jean Abelgas; Ellen Esguerra; Lito Garcia;
Cinematography	Alfonzo Alvarez
Music by	Bel Cruz Jr.
Production; company	Amanah Films International
Release date	May 1976;
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino

Iniibig Kita... Father Salvador (lit. 'I'm in love with you... Father Salvador') is a 1976 Filipino drama film directed by Pablo Santiago from a script by Mar V. Puato. Conceived by Celso Al. Carunungan, the plot concerns a parish priest who attempts to overcome the issues faced by a town with immoral politicians and businessmen. It stars Vic Vargas as the titular character, alongside Ricky Belmonte, Helen Gamboa, Leila Hermosa, Jean Abelgas, Ellen Esguerra and Lito Garcia. Produced by Amanah Films International, the film was released in May 1976.

Critic Justino Dormiendo of Sagisag gave the film a negative review.

Cast

Vic Vargas as Father Salvador
Ricky Belmonte
Helen Gamboa
Leila Hermosa
Jean Abelgas
Ellen Esguerra
Lito Garcia
Ricky Santiago
Dencio Padilla
Joe Garcia
Naty Bernardo
Aurora Villa
Ed Alcantara
Edith Flores
Fr. Ben Carreon
Ben Rubio

Production

Casting

Actors Vic Vargas and Helen Gamboa were cast against type for the drama film, with Vargas being previously known for his action films and Gamboa for her light comedies and musicals.^[1] Vargas previously collaborated with director Pablo Santiago in the epic films Perlas ng Silangan (1969) and Nueva Vizcaya (1973).^[2]^[3]

Principal photography

Shooting lasted for a month in Carcar, Cebu.^[1]

Release

Iniibig Kita... Father Salvador was released in May 1976.

Critical response

Justino Dormiendo, writing for Sagisag, gave the film a negative review, criticizing its haphazard story flow that is "made worse by melodramatic music" and stated that "its view of the issues facing people in society is too simple, and its assessment of where people's 'immorality' comes from is too shallow."^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b Dolor, Danny (December 16, 2017). "Helen Gamboa circa '75: Nun in love with priest". Philstar.com. Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
^ Japitana, Norma (December 19, 1993). "Reminiscing with Ronnie and Susan". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 18. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
^ "Mga pakuwela-kuwela sa estudyo". Liwayway. July 16, 1973. p. 19. Retrieved June 17, 2024. Mula sa kaliwa: Direktor Pablo Santiago, Zaldy Zshornack, Eva Reyes, Mayor and Mrs. Bagatsing, Vic Vargas...
^ Dormiendo, Justino M. (July 1976). Lumbera, Bienvenido (ed.). "Seks sa Pelikulang Pilipino" [Sex in Philippine Movies]. Sagisag (in Filipino). Research & Analysis Center, Department of Public Information. pp. 51–52. Retrieved June 17, 2024. Namumutiktik ang kakulangan sa pelikulang ito.