# Magic Temple

Magic Temple is a 1996 Philippine family fantasy adventure film directed by director Peque Gallaga and his directing partner Lore Reyes from a story and screenplay they written, with Erik Matti as co-writer of the story. The film stars Jason Salcedo, Junell Hernando, and Marc Solis as the trio of young boys sent by their master to face the evil forces who try to destroy the world. It also stars Jackie Lou Blanco as Ravenal, the film's antagonist, Jun Urbano as Sifu, the trio's master, and Anna Larrucea as Yasmin.
Produced and released by Star Cinema, the film was theatrically released on December 25, 1996, as one of the official entries for the 22nd Metro Manila Film Festival, where it became a box office success and notable for winning all of the 14 nominations including the Best Film and Best Director awards. In 2016, the film was digitally restored and remastered by ABS-CBN Film Restoration, in partnership with Central Digital Lab.

## Synopsis

The magical world of "Samadhi" is threatened by the evil forces of Ravenal. Sifu sends out three teenage boys to journey on the Magic Temple. Jubal, Sambag, and Omar, each with their own unique power, battle the threat to the world of "Samadhi" and face many extraordinary things along the way. The boys are sure to face a huge battle ahead of them. Still, with the help of magical creatures they met along their journey, evil is eliminated and they learn the true value of camaraderie and believing in themselves to face any problem.

## Cast

* Jason Salcedo as Jubal
* Junell Hernando as Sambag
* Marc Solis as Omar
* Anna Larrucea as Yasmin
* Jun Urbano as Sifu
* Jackie Lou Blanco as Ravenal
* Gina Pareño as Telang Bayawak
* Aljon Jimenez as Rexor
* Cholo Escaño as Sisig
* Koko Trinidad as Grand Master
* Sydney Sacdalan as Shaolin Child
* Chubi del Rosario as Gamay
* Mae-Ann Adonis as Rexor's mother
* Alvin Froy Alemania as young Sambag
* Tess Dumpit as Jubal's mother
* Kristopher Peralta as young Rexor
* Carlo Aquino as young Jubal

## Trivia

The names of the three main characters refer to the country's national symbolisms. Jubal is an Igorot, a tribe from Luzon; Sambag is from the Visayas, and his name is Visayan for Tamarind; and Omar is a name found among the Muslim tribes of Mindanao. The names, therefore, account for the Philippines' major islands.

## Reception
### Accolades

| Year | Award-giving body | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 1996 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Picture | Magic Temple | Won |
| 1996 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Director | Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes | Won |
| 1996 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Screenplay | Peque Gallaga, Lore Reyes and Erik Matti | Won |
| 1996 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Original Story | Peque Gallaga, Lore Reyes and Erik Matti | Won |
| 1996 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Production Design | Rodell Cruz | Won |
| 1996 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Cinematography | Joe Tutanes | Won |
| 1996 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Editing | Danilo Gloria | Won |
| 1996 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Musical Score | Archie Castillo | Won |
| 1996 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Original Theme Song | Archie Castillo | Won |
| 1996 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Visual Effects | Benny Batoctoy | Won |
| 1996 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Make-up Artist | Siony Tolentino | Won |
| 1996 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Sound Recording | Michael Idioma and Ronald de Asis | Won |
| 1996 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Float | Magic Temple | Won |
| 1997 | FAMAS Awards | Best Sound | Michael Idioma and Ronald de Asis | Won |
| 1997 | FAMAS Awards | Best Child Actress | Anna Larrucea | Nominated |
| 1997 | FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Gina Pareño | Nominated |
| 1997 | Gawad Urian Awards | Best Cinematography | Joe Tutanes | Nominated |
| 1997 | Gawad Urian Awards | Best Production Design | Rodell Cruz | Nominated |

### Special awards

| Year | Award-giving body | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 1996 | Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Awards | Best Picture | Magic Temple | Won |

## Remake

A remake of the film was announced in December 2018, to be produced by ABS-CBN and Cre8 Productions. Mikhail Red will direct the project.