Twenty-five years after he was abducted in Basilan, southern Philippines, in March 2000, the witness of Claretian missionary Fr. Rhoel Gallardo continues to inspire many Filipinos.
The story of the Claretian priest, remembered for refusing to abandon his faith despite torture, is reaching a new generation through a new documentary film, titled “Seeds of Peace: The Life of Fr. Rhoel D. Gallardo, CMF,” set to be released on March 20.
His life has also inspired other screen portrayals, including the 2025 Philippine drama film “In Thy Name.”
Born in Olongapo City, Fr. Gallardo was a member of the Claretian Missionaries and served as director of the Claret School in Tumahubong, Basilan, when Abu Sayyaf militants raided the campus on March 20, 2000, burning the school and abducting him along with teachers and students.
Fr. Gallardo, along with three teachers and five students, was later found dead on May 3 that year after weeks in captivity. His body bore gunshot wounds at close range.
He was later buried on May 10, 2000, at Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park in Quezon City.
Accounts of his captivity later revealed that Fr. Gallardo endured torture but refused to renounce his Christian faith, a witness that missionaries and the faithful continue to remember more than two decades later.
In the new documentary, Filipino actor Zaijian Jaranilla portrays the Claretian missionary.
Jaranilla first gained national recognition for his role as Santino in the television series “May Bukas Pa,” where he portrayed a child known for his deep faith.
The Catholic Church has also been studying Fr. Gallardo’s life and death as part of a cause for beatification.
Church authorities are examining whether his death may qualify as martyrdom.
For the Claretian missionaries and many Filipino Catholics, Fr. Gallardo’s life remains a powerful testimony that the seeds of faith and peace can continue to grow long after a martyr’s death.
On November 20, 2021, the Claretian Province in the Philippines was renamed in his honor.
If canonized, Fr. Gallardo would become the second saint of the Claretian congregation, after its founder St. Anthony Mary Claret.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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