Sexy stars share thoughts on going to church

Celebrities may focus on glitz and glamour, but they are also committed to their faith. They still attribute their success to God even if they do not go to church regularly.

During a Zoom with the entertainment press recently, the stars of the upcoming Vivamax film “Purificacion” opened up about faith and their biggest prayers these days.

“Christian po ako. Yung wish ko lang naman lagi is health ng family ko,” says Stephanie Raz.

“I consider myself very spiritual. I pray for the universe, I talk to the stars. My biggest prayer everyday is for my family and loved ones to be happy and healthy,” explains Katrina Dovey.

“Same ako kay Kath. Hindi po ako sagrado pero hindi rin po ako pumupunta ng church so nagdarasal lang talaga ako lalo na yung mga nangyayari sa mundo kasi ang toxic na, may giyera. Pati economy affected,” says Ava Mendez.

“Hindi po aka palasimba pero gabi-gabi araw-araw kinakausap ko lang si God. Pinagdarasal ko lagi yung health ko at yung family ko, mga katrabaho na sana maiwasan nila ang Covid-19,” adds Cara Gonzales.

“Christian din po ako katulad ni Steph.Pinagdarasal ko ngayon, sana yung pandemic huwag ng tumagal pa. Yung career ko (pinagdarasal ko rin po),” says Rob Guinto.

“I’m also a Christian. Same prayers din…’yung situation worldwide. But of course, sinasama ko rin sa prayers ko yung ‘Purificacion’ dahil I have high expectations for the movie. Sobrang ganda niya talaga. First time ko nakita yung trailer, nagka-goosebumps ako. Ang ganda,” cites Josef Elizalde.

“These days hindi ako palasimba but I grew up with my very religious grandmother. I don’t consider myself a religious person kasi I grew up a Catholic and galing ako sa Catholic school, medyo mas open lang ako for other beliefs. I just mixed it. So medyo curious ako sa other religions kasi medyo nage-explore pa ako ngayon. I always pray for my family’s health. Kasi panganay ako. Sa career naman, I always tell God ikaw na bahala,” stresses Quinn Carillo.

GB Sampedro, director of the film, says the movie is purely fictional.

“Fiction lang po siya. Dahil laking simbahan po ako, na-inspire ako na gawan ko ng storya na dark naman tungkol sa church. Then nag brainstorm kami ng writer at nabuo na ang story ng ‘Purificacion,” says GB, whose other film credits for Vivamax were Kaka, Crush Kong Curly, Kinsenas Katapusan Doblado, and Vivamax Original Series, High (School) On Sex.

Asked if the movie will spark controversy, GB said: “Hindi naman siguro mag i-ignite ito ng controversy kasi fictional naman siya. May mga twist naman yung movie na palagay ko hindi naman makakasama sa simbahan.”

Sought to comment on alleged sexual abuse in the church, GB said: “Lahat naman may posibilidad. May mga news naman na lumabas dati tungkol sa mga kontrobersya sa simbahan so puwedeng oo, pwedeng hindi. The movie is about sin, judgment. It’s about women na nagcommit ng mga kasalanan. So siguro para sa akin ang gustong ihatid nito ay tungkol sa pagkatao nila. Tignan muna natin ang pinagsimulan nito bago tayo magkaroon ng judgment sa kanila. I went to Catholic schools and close ako sa mga pari.”

Josef said he did not dream of becoming a priest when he was younger. “Hindi ko talaga siya pinangarap noong bata pa ako. Hindi naman kasi ako masyadong devoted sa faith kaya hindi ko sya naisip noong bata.”

Set to premiere on Aug. 5, the movie tells about the rural town of Santa Monica where a young priest named Fr. Ricardo Purificacion (Josef Elizalde) is well-loved by the locals.

Admired for his character and dedication to his local parish, Fr. Ricardo is an image of a role model to anyone who meets him. But behind his charming personality, lies his darkest secrets.

As reports on missing women continuously increase, Police Inspector Gabriela Isidro (Cara Gonzales) steps into the investigation and is determined to find the culprit for these crimes.

The Police Inspector also reluctantly confided to Fr. Ricardo, believing that the priest has a good reputation and would greatly help in solving the case.

Playing a few tricks up his sleeve, Fr. Ricardo misleads Gabriela with her investigation, and Gabriela even finds herself falling for the priest. Will there still be a chance for Gabriela to uncover the truth? Or will she fall for the priest’s dangerous charm?

“Purificacion” is also streaming on Vivamax Middle East. For kababayans in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar, watch all you can for only AED35/month. Vivamax can also be streamed in Europe for only 8 GBP/month.  

Vivamax is also available in Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Brunei, Macao, Vietnam, Maldives, Australia, New Zealand, and now also in Canada and the United States of America.