Over 10,000 people cried as they watched FAUSTA, a deeply moving and solemn film, with seasoned actress Perla Bautista playing the title role.

Tommy Abuel plays Fernando Amorsolo who, in actual life, painted the portrait of Hermana Fausta Labrador, founder of Sacred Heart College, now celebrating its 125th anniversary.

People flocked to the cinema during the four-day showing of FAUSTA on February 20–23 at Cinema 2, SM Lucena City. They came from Lucena, Manila and the many towns of Quezon and Laguna.

FAUSTA features several impressive performing artists of Quezon Province, among them are: Ningning Zafranco, Josefina Sace, Eleanor Jardiniano-Marquez, Mabel Lucero-Redor, Cesar Marasigan and Ronald Cortez. Also appearing in the movie are Bishop Ruben Profugo and Bokal Alona Obispo, prominent personalities of the province.

FAUSTA is the screenplay debut of Necias Chaves Pataunia, who based his script on “The Life and Works of Hermana Fausta Labrador – Foundress of Sacred Heart College,” an impressive thesis written by Sr. Pilar Peñafort, D.C. Pataunia introduced a creative device, which not only expanded the plot, characterization and dialogue, but also enriched FAUSTA’s color and texture. He brought to the screenplay the living character of Fernando Amorsolo, the country’s first National Artist for Visual Arts.

Joel Boragay composed and arranged the original theme song, “Ikaw ang Bituin,” with lyrics written by Pataunia. It was performed by Zscharmaine Barretto and Anima Christi.

Felino Tañada, an Indie filmmaker and alumnus of Sacred Heart, directed FAUSTA with a vision to show the holiness of Hermana Fausta’s deeds. Tañada says, “I am proud to be part of a production that was conceived to be small-scale but which evolved into a grandiose spectacle. The film spans the time from FAUSTA’s birth till her last breath.”

FAUSTA had its premiere at SM Cinema Theater in Lucena City on February 20, 2008. The premiere was preceded with cocktails and thanksgiving ceremony at the SM Events Center. Sr. Fe Gedalanga, D.C., president of Sacred Heart College and executive producer, said: “This film gives honor to Hermana Fausta, a great woman whose exemplary life was patterned on the Vincentian spirituality, as enfleshed by the Daughters of Charity, who shared with her the same vision in educating the youth of Quezon Province… As we launch this film, we hope to reach out to more people and bring Christ closer to their hearts through Hermana Fausta. Proceeds from this activity will go to our scholarship program to enable poor but deserving students to continue their education. ” Sacred Heart is celebrating its 125th Founding Anniversary, with the theme, “SHC… 125 years and beyond…Transforming lives!”

Sacred Heart intends to have more showing of the film in as many schools and grassroots communities possible so that HERMANA FAUSTA may inspire people to aim for their most noble life. The vision is for FAUSTA to touch the soul of the Filipino nation.