Kristo (1996 film)

Plot

The film opens with a prologue asking what the New Testament would look like if set in the Philippine Islands. Its narrative combines the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, transposed into Classical Filipino society with ethnic elements and touches of Ancient Rome and first-century Judaea.

After an illustrated Nativity, the story jumps thirty years to John the Baptist's preaching and Jesus' baptism. It then cycles through Christ's ministry, death, and resurrection, ending with his ascension. The final scene reveals that Jesus himself is the one reading the book about his life on Earth.

Did You Know?

• Director Ben Yalung's previous religious film was Divine Mercy: Sa Buhay ni Sister Faustina (1993).
• Mat Ranillo III had earlier portrayed Lorenzo Ruiz in the 1988 film Lorenzo Ruiz: The Saint... A Filipino.
• Charmaine Rivera, who played the Virgin Mary, was a freelance model and college student in her first and only film appearance.