MANILA, Philippines — Sr. Mary Rosario “Chayong” Battung, the nun who inspired the 1984 movie “Sister Stella L.,” has died, her congregation said. She was 78.
The Cagayan-born sister, who passed away on Thursday, November 25, has spent 53 years in religious life.
“Throughout her ministries, she has always preferred to be among the urban and rural poor, the neglected, and with those who have been deprived of their basic human rights,” Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) Philippines-Japan said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Sr. Chayong worked with labor unions in Cavite and reached out to the urban poor in Tondo.
RGS Philippines-Japan said the 1984 film “Sister Stella L.” is based on her life story, but she would say the film is about activist nuns in general.
The Mike De Leon-directed film follows the story of an activist Catholic nun who works with the urban poor in fighting injustices. Four years ago, De Leon told Philippine Daily Inquirer Entertainment that “Sister Stella L” is a film which “reflected those times in exploring the creation of the fascist mindset, as exemplified by activist nuns…”
In addition, Sr. Chayong was also active in promoting the development of feminism in the country and immersed herself in “hingalangin”, a form of prayer centered on mindfulness.
Her private wake is being held at the Good Shepherd Convent in Quezon City. A mass of the resurrection will take place on November 28 at 10 am, before inurnment at the Good Shepherd Columbary.
She is survived by her biological sister, Angela Battung, who is also part of the congregation.
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