It was Catholic Archbishop Socrates “Soc” Villegas’s idea to ask the help of celebrities to make a video where stars talk about the importance of prayers in their respective lives. He wants to inspire the people, especially the youth, to be more prayerful.
The Archbishop then sought the help of respected showbiz matriarch, Marichu “Manay Ichu” Maceda, film producer and daughter of the late Sampaguita Pictures founder Doc Perez.
Manay Ichu’s first instinct was to call on her friend, Ms. Susan Roces—fondly called Manay Inday in showbiz—who is reportedly a devotee of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo. Manay Inday immediately said yes to for this noble cause.
Calling on to other artists was a breeze from then on. They not only freed their schedules for the shoot; they also did it for free!
The collaborative project was first launch in December last year. But now that more celebrities have joined the efforts, they are releasing the second version of the video, which will be aired both in ABS-CBN and GMA 7, as well as in cinemas nationwide, starting Palm Sunday (April 14).
The 27 stars that appeared in the full-version video, which was directed by Eric Quizon, came from both the ABS-CBN and GMA-7 studios.
The Kapamilya stars included: Susan Roces, Coco Martin, Maricel Soriano, Judy Ann Santos, Christopher de Leon, Kim Chiu, Matteo Guidicelli, Bayani Agbayani, Sylvia Sanchez, Arjo Atayde, Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia, and Magandang Buhay hosts Karla Estrada, Jolina Magdangal, and Melai Cantiveros.
While the Kapuso stars were: Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna-Sotto, Ai-Ai de las Alas, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, Dennis Trillo, Eric Quizon, Wally Bayola and child stars Ryzza Mae Dizon and Baeby Baste.
This inspiring video production is a collaborative effort of the following: Archbishop Soc Villegas, Marichu “Manay Ichu” Maceda, the PAMI (Philippine Arists Managers, Inc.), ABS-CBN, GMA-7, Viva Entertainment, Solar Entertainment, TAPE, Inc. (Television and Production Exponents, Inc.), Wild Sound, CMB Films Services, Inc., and select members of the press.
