Father Jejemon Explained
Father Jejemon |
Director: | Frank Gray Jr. |
Starring: | Dolphy |
Production Companies: | RVQ Productions |
Country: | Philippines |
Language: | Filipino |
Father Jejemon is a 2010 Philippine comedy drama film produced under RVQ Productions. The film directed by Frank Gray Jr. stars Dolphy.[1]
Cast
- Dolphy as Fr. Jeremiah "Jejemon" Jerome Montes. The new parish priest of Parmbil with an unconventional approach, attire and demeanor. He speaks in Jejemon slang, has an affinity to rock music, and loves to organize talent competitions and other novel events for the youth in his parish.[2]
- Cherie Gil as Violeta. She is not fond of Father Jejemon and wants him out as the town's parish priest.[3]
- Maja Salvador as Isabel, Violeta's teenage daughter who support's Father Jejemon's endeavors.[3]
- Roy Alvarez as Mr. P, a rich manipulative businessman who seeks to control Parmbil.[3]
- Ejay Falcon as Luis, Mr. P's son who is also a suitor of Isabel.[3]
- Nash Aguas as Carlo[4]
- Tony Mabesa as Fr. Baby, Jejemon's predecessor
- Moymoy and Roadfil as Moy and Moy[4]
Premise
The town of Parmbil is assigned a new parish priest. Fr. Jeremiah Jerome Montes, better known as “Fr. Jejemon”, succeeds Fr. Baby whose health is declining.
Not all the townsfolk immediately accept Fr. Jejemon, so he works hard to win their confidence. The priest also deals with Mr. P, a rich businessman who wants to seize control of the town.
Production
Development
Father Jejemon was produced under RVQ Productions with Frank Gray Jr. as its director. The film is Gray's first work since the 1977 film Omeng Satanasia[5] Bibeth Orteza and Rhandy Reyes did the screenplay.[3] Dominican priest Larry Faraon served as a story consultant.[4] [3] [6]
Dolphy came up with the idea to create a film about a priest, as it was his long-time dream to portray a clergyman since his uncle was a priest. Dolphy was initially hesitant due to fear of the film being censored, but his uncle offered him to help write the script. The idea was put on hold when his uncle died.[3]
Communion scenes
The film still received backlash from leaders of the Philippine Catholic Church for depictions of the communion; one scene shows the priest accidentally dropping a host between a woman's breasts, while another host is caught in a worshipper’s false teeth.[6] [7] The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board received a complaint over these contentious scenes.[8] Consultant Fr. Faraon approved the scenes, reasoning that these scenarios actually happen in real life.[4] These ultimately were voluntarily edited out by the production studio for the theatrical release,[6] and the film passed a second review by the MTRCB.[9]
Release
Father Jejemon was released in the Philippines on December 25, 2010 as one of the official entries of the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival.[1]
Awards and nominations
Awards and nominationsYear | Award Giving Body | Category | Nominated Work/ Person | Results |
---|
2011 | 29th Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Awards | Best Actor | Dolphy | [10] |
2010 | | Best Actor | Dolphy | [11] | |
Notes and References
- News: PEP: Official entries to the 2010 MMFF bared . 7 January 2024 . GMA News . 30 June 2010 . en.
- News: Samio . Veronica . Santa tatapatan ni Father Jeje . Father Jeje goes against Santa. 7 January 2024 . Pilipino Star Ngayon . The Philippine Star . 8 December 2010.
- News: Tomines . Nica . Dolphy portrays a progressive priest in Father Jejemon . 7 January 2024 . PEP.ph . Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. . 8 December 2010 . fil.
- News: Llanes . Rommel . Father Jejemon showcases Dolphy's effortless brand of comedy . 7 January 2024 . PEP.ph . Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. . 28 December 2010 . fil.
- News: Comedy King plays priest in Filmfest entry . 7 January 2024 . Filipino Journal . 5 December 2010.
- News: Dolphy cuts 'Father Jejemon' amid Catholic protest . 7 January 2024 . ABS-CBN News . 21 December 2010.
- News: Bishop criticizes Dolphy's 'Fr. Jejemon' film . 7 January 2024 . GMA News . 21 December 2010 . en.
- News: Francisco . Butch . Father Jejemon intact sans communion scenes . 7 January 2024 . The Philippine Star . 21 December 2010.
- News: Dolphy absent on 'Father Jejemon' premiere . 7 January 2024 . ABS-CBN News . 23 December 2010.
- News: Cruz . Marinel R. . 29th FAP Awards without the awardees . 9 January 2024 . INQUIRER.net . 12 July 2011 . en.
- News: Cruz . Tonyo . Winners of the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival Awards . 9 January 2024 . Travel Wire Asia . 27 December 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140419020643/http://www.travelwireasia.com/2010/12/winners-of-the-2010-metro-manila-film-festival-awards/ . 19 April 2014.