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Full movie: Phillip Salvador’s portrayal of Balweg, the Rebel Priest earned him massive acting nominations

12.28.21
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Photos: Viva Films and screengrab from Viva Films YouTube Channel

This 1987 biographical action drama was inspired by the life of Abra-born Catholic priest-turned- communist rebel Conrado Balweg. Father Balweg turned revolutionary in 1979 when he defended the ancestral land rights of the indigenous people of Abra Province in the Cordillera Mountains against government-backed mining and logging operations.

This 1987 biographical action drama was inspired by the life of Abra-born Catholic priest-turned- communist rebel Conrado Balweg.

Father Balweg turned revolutionary in 1979 when he defended the ancestral land rights of the indigenous people of Abra Province in the Cordillera Mountains against government-backed mining and logging operations.

After taking arms, he was abandoned by the Church and was hunted by the government. He’s left with no choice but to go underground and joined the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army.

Though a box-office success, the film received negative criticisms for its alleged poor research and debatable depiction of Balweg as a hero.

But it all worked well for its lead actor Phillip Salvador, who received several acting nominations the following year and actually won one best actor award from Film Academy of the Philippines

Directed by Antonio Perez for Viva Films, Balweg also stars Rio Locsin, Tetchie Agbayani, Johnny Delgado, Pinky Amador, Lucita Soriano, Baldo Maro and many more.

Get reacquainted with the story of Balweg, the rebel Priest, which undeniable made an indelible mark in our country’s modern socio-political history, by watching the entire film for free by clicking the video link below: