Experiencing Interruptions?

Santa Nena!

Santa Nena, a patron saint statue in a provincial church, springs to life every night. She wishes to become human again to better understand the people of the contemporary era. One night, God gives Santa Nena a very special mission. She has to be the child-bearer for the second coming of the Messiah on earth with Manuel, the chosen boy with miraculous glowing balls. In this mission, God forbids Santa Nena to fall in love with Manuel. But what happens when Santa Nena falls in love with the boy with miraculous glowing balls?

  • Tim Rone Villanueva
    Director
  • Tim Rone Villanueva
    Writer
  • Seymour Sanchez
    Producer
    Caretaker, Lababo, Handumanan
  • Elora Españo
    Key Cast
  • Ross Pesigan
    Key Cast
  • Jelson Bay
    Key Cast
  • Mailes Kanapi
    Key Cast
  • Rolando Inocencio
    Key Cast
  • Martha Comia
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Feature, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Fantasy, Dark comedy
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 47 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 16, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    6,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Philippines
  • Country of Filming:
    Philippines
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Sinepiyu 2017
    Manila
    Philippines
    April 25, 2017
    World Premiere
    Best Narrative, Best Production Design, Best Performance
Director Biography - Tim Rone Villanueva

Tim Rone B. Villanueva is a Filipino freelance writer and filmmaker for movies, television, advertising and other forms of media. He is the owner of TV FILMS, a film production company for short films. He graduated with honors from De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde, School Of Design and Arts - BenildeFilm with a degree in AB Digital Filmmaking. His 2017 critically acclaimed short film entitled “Santa Nena!” won several awards including Best Thesis Film and Best Narrative Short Film in local award-giving bodies.

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Director Statement

In Philippine culture, having devotion to a saint or patron is a huge part of it. Most people believe in the miracles of different patrons of the church to accommodate their request. But what if the situation turns around and saints were to ask people a request? Will the people grants a saint’s request? This film challenges what happens if you reverse the situation of men and saints.

According to experts in theology, people tend to commit sins rather than obey God because we have an uncontrollable desire or "concupiscence" and the desire to love and be loved is one example of this. The purpose of this movie is to test where are the boundaries of relationships between humans, saints, church, and faith.