Glaiza de Castro fears Cinemalaya could be ‘58th’s’ only PH screening

“Actually ako hindi ko rin in-expect na malamang ito na ang first and last screening,” she told reporters.

Still, the actress, who plays the late Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay’s daughter Reynafe Castillo, pointed to streaming platforms and block screenings as possible ways to bring Carl Joseph Papa’s “58th” to more viewers.

Glaiza also stressed the importance of supporting the film’s producers, noting that making a movie is already difficult, particularly one that tackles a painful chapter in Philippine history.

“Hindi siya pwedeng sabihin i-enjoy na parang you come to the cinema to be entertained. It’s not about that,” she said. “It’s all about educating people.”

For Glaiza, having audiences show up for the Philippine premiere was already meaningful.

“Masaya ako na lahat ng mga tao nagpunta ngayon, sila yung mga tao na, I think, meant marinig at mapanood ang story na ito. Kumbaga parang ‘goal achieved’ kami,” she said.

Part of what made “58th” particularly heavy for Glaiza was the fear that came with telling a story involving people in power.

She had watched the film several times, including its screenings at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, but said each viewing remained emotionally difficult.

She prepared for the role by speaking extensively with Reynafe before filming, including Zoom conversations that helped her understand the real-life woman she was portraying.

“Doon palang mabigat na,” Glaiza recalled.

After one conversation, she said she needed time to absorb everything before setting it aside and returning to work.

The subject matter also made her imagine possible repercussions for those involved in the film.

“Actually, mayroon akong imagination na baka, ‘Teka! Ito ang actor doon, ito ang mga tao behind the film, kasama sila sa pag-kwento ng story na ‘yan;’ nadawit ang pangalan natin,” she explained.

Reynafe, however, said she understood why some people might be hesitant to revisit the tragedy but believed the story needed to be told.

“Alam kong mahirap kasi may mga taong ayaw ilabas ito muli. Pero hindi nga natutulog ang Diyos,” she said. “Alam ng Diyos na ito ang isang way na ma-remind natin ang mga tao, na mayroon pang nawawala at mayroong pang naghahanap.”

“58th” revisits Reynafe’s long-running search for justice and recognition for her father, Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay, who was initially not included among the 57 victims officially recognized in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

The case involving Momay’s death has remained unresolved, with his family previously appealing a court ruling that found insufficient evidence to convict any of the accused in his death.

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