Dingdong on playing a priest: It’s invigorating!

Pari ‘Koy is a Filipino religious drama/teleserye on the GMA Network starring Dingdong Dantes as Kokoy Evangelista, the priest; and Sunshine Dizon as Noemi Espiritu-Cruz. Director is Maryo J. de los Reyes. 

Others are Gabby Eigenmann as Jude Banal, Carlo Gonzales as Simon Cruz, David Remo as Pinggoy, Jeric Gonzales as Eli Marasigan, Lindsay de Vera as Ava Buenavista, Hiro Peralta as Samuel “Sam” Evangelista Jr., JC Tiuseco as Timo Espiritu, Rap Fernandez as Sol Castillo; Jojit Lorenzo as Tomas Sacramento, Jhiz Deocareza as Japet Lazaro, Dexter Doria as Salome, Luz Valdez as Esther San Pablo and Chanda Romero as Martha Buenavista. 

It will be Dingdong’s first time to portray a priest and he expects the experience to be invigorating. For one thing, his priest character is one whose heart is open to any type of problem, big or small. He is known for non-traditional ways of bringing the faithful closer to God. A perfect model we can think of is Pope Francis who is non-conformist in every way.

The setting of Pari ‘Koy is the parish in Barangay Pinagpala with its conglomeration of individuals whose ideas may clash but who are united in their service to the Supreme Being. Sunshine is the secretary of the barangay who remains optimistic in the face of family problems and a husband who maltreats her; Chanda is the self-righteous leader of lay workers and who is against Father Kokoy’s unconventional ways; Luz who gets a kick out of spreading gossip and rumor in the community; and Dexter whose loyalty to the priest and the parish has become the subject of teasing.

Father Kokoy also dips his fingers into the lives of the residents of Barangay Pinagpala, principally that of the influential and corrupt barangay chair played by Gabby; Rap, the right hand man of Gabby who assists him in his illegal schemes; JC, the irresponsible brother of Sunshine; and Carlo, the abusive husband of Sunshine who fails to provide for the family.

There are many times in our encounters with the priests in our community, where we fail to appreciate the kind of work that goes into becoming a priest. It is a common practice among us, Filipinos, to come in late for the services, stay awhile and go out for a smoke and a chat with other smokers. It is also obvious that those in charge of the Mass take pains to make the service entertaining, with music and jokes, and provision of missalettes. We can only speak of our barangay in Pasig, and the Virgin of Fatima Chapel but we are certain, it cannot differ much from other churches.

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