Direk Ben has been credited as the brains behind classic movie hits. He also did action and ‘sexy’ films in the past, but he has since dedicated himself fully to faith-based projects.

Veteran filmmaker Benjamin “M7” Yalung is making a return to cinema with a biopic about the Venerable Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, a Cebuano priest widely believed to be the Philippines’ next saint.

Yalung has been credited as the brains behind classic movie hits either as executive producer or director or both — “Zuma,” “Anak Ni Zuma,” “Cain At Abel.” He also got involved in ST (sex trip) films, which became a major trend in Philippine cinema in the 90s, before dedicating himself fully to faith-based projects, including the box-office hit “Kristo,” the 1996 film that starred Mat Ranillo III.

Now he’s set on bringing Camomot’s lifestory to life.

“He’s our next Saint. I love his story,” Yalung recently told The STAR and a few other media outlets. “When I was in Cebu, we had a meeting with our partners there. Nabanggit po sa akin, meron isang storya na dapat gawan ng pelikula. We were given a book on Archbishop Camomot, and his story was like Padre Pio’s… you’ll be impressed.”

This latest endeavor is part of Yalung’s personal and professional shift due to his own conversion story.

“I was invited by the group of LT (Lorna Tolentino) and Rudy Fernandez at that time. Nauna sila maging Oasis of Love. Sabi nila, ‘Direk, sama ka naman sa amin.’ ‘Saan?’ ‘Oasis of Love.’ ‘Ano yan?’” he recalled, asking. “I was busy doing films and other things, I didn’t have time for that.

“Although these were religious communities, (at that time) medyo ‘di ako naniniwala sa ganun, parang fashion lang. Pero may tumawag sa akin, gustong sumama ako and I couldn’t say no. ‘Subukan mo lang ito.’ Watch ka lang.

“Then I went… and that changed my life.”

From that moment on, Yalung said he abandoned his previous works, which were primarily action and bold films.

“Nagbago na ang buhay natin. Pero nadadapa pa rin paminsan-minsan, pero bumabangon na kaagad. From then on, I promised to serve. I already abandoned all my action films and bold films. Sabi ko, puro religious lang gagawin ko.”

Director-producer Ben Yalung with grandson Russel Yalung Oledan, general manager of Asia Pacific Film Institute (APFI), school for young filmmakers owned by Direk Ben.

Besides “Kristo,” he also produced and/or directed such films as “Divine Mercy” and “Birheng Manaoag,” among others. The “Camomot” film would be his official directing comeback after 20 years.

The biopic will be produced under Yalung’s long-time film outfit Cine Suerte and supported by Universal Vision Philippines, with a goal to not just tell a story but to evangelize. “Definitely, I believe in film as a medium for evangelization,” he said.

As for Camomot’s story, he believes it deserves to be known by a wider audience and become a source of hope and inspiration for them.

“Napakaganda po ng storya niya. Hindi pwedeng palampasin at hindi gawin pelikula,” said Yalung.

According to information furnished to this paper, the archbishop from Carcar, Cebu, was devoted to serving the poor and the sick. After a decade as coadjutor archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, he resigned due to health reasons and returned to the Archdiocese of Cebu, where he continued his ministry as a parish priest. He passed away in a car accident in 1988. In 2022, the late Pope Francis declared him Venerable, a significant step in the path to sainthood.

The script is currently being written by film historian and screenwriter Celso de Guzman. The production is targeting a filming period of 30 to 35 days, beginning later this 2025.

As for the casting, Yalung said they are currently considering a range of actors. “We’re searching for actors. Marami kaming pinipilian. As soon as we decide, we will shoot. Not necessarily a blockbuster actor because it’s the story that will carry this.”

Among those floated to possibly play Camomot across the different stages of his life include Cedrick Juan, Piolo Pascual, Paulo Avelino, Matt Ranillo, and Richard Yap — the latter also hailing from Cebu.

Yalung’s long-time film outfit Cine Suerte is set to produce the biopic of Venerable Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, a Cebuano priest widely believed to be the Philippines’ next saint.

The team is also scouting for filming locations, with Laguna being eyed as a stand-in for Camomot’s hometown of Carcar.

“We were told that this (biopic) was supposed to be done a long time ago. There was one producer that attempted to do this — that was 15 years ago — until now, they’re still looking for a financier, for funding.”

As of writing, Yalung is the sole producer of the film, though he remains open to co-production opportunities.

He’s also fully aware of the risks of producing faith-based films, especially when it comes to securing funding. “Kung ang hanap mo ay pera talaga ‘wag ka ng pumunta dun di ba, pero kung ang hanap mo ay evangelization process… and bring Jesus closer to them, yun ang risk dun. That is the risk that you have to take, there’s no assurance that it will make money.

“But it doesn’t matter anymore. Gusto mo makapag-evangelize. Talking about ‘Kristo,’ many were challenging us, ‘Why are you doing ‘Kristo?’ It will not make money.’ Sabi ko hindi naman pera hinanap namin dito, kung saan namin ma-evangelize ang Oasis of Love (Catholic charismatic community). You cannot believe it, isang buwan siya sa takilya, ang laki ng kinita, bigay ni Lord yun.”

He added, “If you’ve seen the play ‘Grace’ by Floy Quintos, that’s a typical example of a particular play that made money. Wala naman silang artista pero ang nagdala yung storya and acting. In the same manner, itong ‘Camomot,’ hindi siya masyadong sikat, but we believe it will make good because of the story.”

Aside from running the film outfit Cine Suerte, Yalung still operates the Asia Pacific Film Institute (the premiere film school he co-founded in 2001 with the late National Artist for Film and Broadcast Marilou Diaz-Abaya) and the Emmanuel Television Network Philippines (ETVN Philippines), a Catholic broadcast and social media platform that carries faith-based content, likely including talks, Masses, devotional programs and online ministry.