Glaiza De Castro on portraying Reynafe Castillo, late photojournalist's daughter, in ‘58th’: ‘Dapat tapangan mo’

Glaiza De Castro is starring in "58th," GMA Public Affairs and GMA Pictures' documentary film about the Maguindanao massacre, where she steps into the role of Reynafe Castillo, the daughter of the late photojournalist Reynaldo "Bebot" Momay. 

Bebot is considered the 58th victim of the Maguindanao massacre, although his body was never found. A court ruling in 2019 saw the acquittal of all the accused over Bebot's death due to reasonable doubt, as well as the dismissal of his family's claim for damages. 

"58th" follows the story of Reynafe as she continues her years-long fight for answers and her father's recognition as the massacre's 58th victim. Her story also reflects the grief of the victims' families and their pursuit of justice following the tragedy. 

During an exclusive interview with GMA News Online on Thursday, Glaiza shared what portraying Reynafe in "58th" means to her and the courage it took to take on the role. 

“Dapat tapangan mo. Kailangang paniwalaan mo na ang pinaglalaban mo ay tama at naniniwala ako na ang pinaglalaban ni Reynafe ay tama,” she said. 

According to Glaiza, she accepted the role because it is the “honorable” thing to do as an actress.

“Kaya ko rin in-accept 'yung role kasi it's something na parang honorable to do as an actor. Parang you'll never experience something like that. Imagine 'yung challenges niya at 'yung nangyari sa kaniya, ‘yung loss na 'yun, it's a very unexpectedly morbid experience,” she said. 

“It's a death na parang you'll never want to experience sa buong buhay mo, so para sa akin, isa siyang malaking karangalan na gawin na magamit 'yung talento ko para ikuwento 'yung isang napaka-importante [na] story." 

Before filming “58th,” director Carl Joseph Papa arranged a Zoom meeting with Glaiza and Reynafe.

The Kapuso actress shared how difficult it was to hear Reynafe's stories and learn firsthand about her struggles as Bebot's daughter. 

“Na-prepare ko 'yung mga questions ko kasi parang siyempre kailangan kong makilala siya bago ko gampanan ‘yung story niya,” she told GMA News Online. “Medyo mabigat kasi mararamdaman mo talaga na ang hirap ng pinagdaanan niya bilang anak ng isa sa mga biktima ng Maguindanao massacre.”

Aside from Glaiza, "58th" stars the late Ricky Davao as Reynafe's father, Bebot. The film was Ricky's final project before his passing in May 2025. 

Blending animation with archival footage, "58th" retells the Maguindanao massacre for a new generation, ensuring the victims’ stories are not forgotten. It was screened at the 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam in the Netherlands in January. 

The Maguindanao massacre happened on November 23, 2009, in the town of Ampatuan and is considered the deadliest single attack on journalists in world history. The massacre resulted in the death of 58 individuals, 32 of whom were journalists, including Bebot. 

In 2019, the Quezon City Court acquitted all the accused over Bebot’s death due to reasonable doubt and also dismissed his family's claim for damages.

In November 2025, Bebot’s family asked the Court of Appeals to judicially recognize him as the 58th victim in the Maguindanao massacre.

—CDC, GMA Integrated News