The all-nurse cast film Siglo ng Kalinga by the award-winning filmmaker Lemuel Lorca, produced by Dr. Carl Balita Productions, had its premiere on April 24, at SM Megamall’s cinemas 2 and 3, respectively.
The momentous occasion was a gathering of VIPs and supporters of the advocacy film since its launch in October 2022 – headed by its executive producer, Dr. Carl Balita.
Dr. Balita is a nurse by profession, a multi-awarded entrepreneur, and a bestselling author. He’s the name behind the most successful, biggest, multi-awarded, and the only ISO 9001-2015 certified business of its kind, Carl E. Balita Review Center (CBRC).
Prominent figures in the nursing profession, members, and officers of the Philippine Nurses’ Association (PNA) were all in attendance.
Siglo ng Kalinga is from the story and screenplay of Archie Del Mundo, inspired by the life story of PNA founder Anastacia Giron-Tupas and the heroic lives of Filipino nightingales. Another groundbreaking initiative of this film project was casting real-life nurses as actual actors.
The film is about three periods that interconnect all the life experiences, work, advocacies, teachings, and learnings from Tupas through portions of flashbacks in 1922-1945-1959 while transposing her story into the lives of her modern-day contemporaries or counterparts.
Singing the official soundtrack of Siglo ng Kalinga is pop diva Kuh Ledesma, also a nurse. Ledesma sang with Dr. Balita in a duet for the song “Walang Hanggang Kalinga.”
The all-nurses cast included Joy Ras, Tads Obach, Bambi Rojas, Ellener Cruz, Joel Rey Carcasona, Aldrin Samson, Irma Bustamante, Jewell Alano, Abbey Romero, Anna Illescas, Lorrich Del Castilo, Denmark Mismanos, Aya Sarmiento, Jam Sandiego, Val Ramilo, Jerico Roque, and VJ Mendoza.
Nursing leaders and luminaries, mostly deans and presidents of nursing schools and PNA officers, also played vital historical roles, such as Dr.
Cora Anonuevo, Mila Llanes, Betty Merritt, Remedios Fernandez, Rita Tamse, Clare Curato, Frances Cuevas, Nerissa Gerial, and PNA National President Melvin Miranda.
Siglo ng Kalinga opens in cinemas nationwide on May 31.