Behind the scenes of ‘Ignacio de Loyola’

Director Paolo Dy is careful not to box his film "Ignacio de Loyola" as a religious film, but he can't help but feel #blessed.

Dy led the film's Filipino crew while it shot scenes in Spain—an experience which, he jokes, wasn't all tapas and wine. However, he did share that they felt "the creative presence" of St. Ignatius on set.

"In a lot of ways we were being led at crucial moments. There would be things like a certain location would not be available, and then we ended up being in a location that's better for the story," Dy told GMA News Online.

"There were many points in the shooting process that we felt like the presence of St. Ignatius himself was exerting editorial control!" Dy added with a laugh. "That was nice to know that someone was looking out for us and making things happen."

The heavens, he said, even provided peculiar props for the film, such as a very timely flock of sheep and "ancient bread."

"Ignacio de Loyola" is a dramatic retelling of the 16th century soldier-saint’s conversion, from his start as a man of vice and violence to his eventual salvation and founding of the Jesuit order.

"Ignacio de Loyola" is produced by the JesCom Films Philippines and marks Dy's directorial debut. The film features a Spanish cast and was screened in the Vatican on June 14. — BM, GMA News

"Ignacio de Loyola" will open in select theaters on July 27.