The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Like “Quezon,” the movie, which is still being screened nationwide and has been eliciting discussions, both intelligent and trifling, Arjanrmar Rebeta’s (with weighty directorial contributions from award-winning filmmaker Jeffrey Jeturian) “Lakambini Gregoria de Jesus” has the potential of being another controversial subject.
Although its intention and presentation are clear—to merit a remembrance of Gregoria as a major historical figure, and a heroine of the first degree–there are other elements and contents therein that would call attention and eventually discourse.
The most crucial of them is the political rivalry between Andres Bonifacio and General Emilio Aguinaldo as witnessed by de Jesus herself particularly during the most talked Tejeros Convention where the leadership of Bonifacio–he being the main organizer of the Katipunan that sought to overthrow the Spanish conquistadores in order to establish a legitimate government for the Filipinos—was questioned by the Magdalo members belonging to the faction of Aguinaldo who were mostly from Cavite.
Bonifacio was always referred to as the Supremo and First President of the Republic of the Philippines.
These historical scenarios were well-researched by screenwriter Rody Vera and translated to the big screen.
In the succeeding election suggested and initiated literally and liberally by Andres (Rocco Nacino) to pacify and quelch the so-called disgruntled members, he lost to Aguinaldo.
Gregoria (played by Lovi Poe in that particular scene) was downhearted and felt cheated, betrayed by the Magdalos spearheaded by Aguinaldo.
What was more painful for De Jesus and obviously for Bonifacio was his election as the Committee Head of the Interior, purportedly the last post in the polls which was seemingly a consolation or “pa-consuelo” for him.
Still, it was barred by Aguinaldo who said that the head of the interior must be a lawyer which Andres wasn’t so as the newly elected president of the revolutionary movement, he was replaced instantly.
Bonifacio could not accept nor concede to the election much more Ka Oryang, the nom de guerre of Gregoria.
Until Andres and his brother Procopio were charged with rebellion and sedition, rendered and judged as guilty and detained by his own peers.
In one scene where Oryang (portrayed by Elora Espano in that scene) was disallowed to pay Andres a visit, a Magdalo member harshly condemned her.
In another scene where Oryang (essayed again by Espano) was allegedly raped by a Magdalo man, she was revolting inside.
What was more hurting was after the assassination of Andres and Procopio when Oryang (alternately played by Poe and Espano) was desperately looking for the remains of her husband and his brother in the mountains.
Meanwhile, in her old age, Oryang (breathed to life by the iconic Gina Pareno) was surreal in search of her beloved.
In the 1935 presidential election, Oryang celebrated the victory of Manuel Luis Quezon over Aguinaldo.
The remaining Magdiwang forces labelled Aguinaldo as a traitor, dictator, thief of the Katipunan funds and other ugly accusations.
The brouhaha over MLQ biopic
Ricky Avancena, the grandson of Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel Luis Quezon has been standing on his ground after he dressed down Jerrold Tarog, director of the film biography of his grandfather, “Quezon” in a talkback session immediately after the screening of the movie.
Ricky found the biopic on Quezon, in a nutshell, insulting and humiliating especially to the family of the late president.
Avancena even accused Jerrold of enriching himself by distorting the life story of the departed.
In the open forum, circulating in social media through the uploading of the video by Inquirer.net, Ricky was obviously mad against Tarog when he would not let him say a word when he (Avancena) was talking within his given time.
He even castigated the filmmaker in the presence of Jericho Rosales, the actor who played the titular character.
Is this some kind of a desecration to the honor and reputation of the dead?
The film has now earned enough attention to merit additional publicity.
As such, there have been mixed reactions on the issue.
According to movie director Jose Javier Reyes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), he was affected by the film when he watched it.
“I have just watched QUEZON and I left the movie house greatly disturbed. This is because I wanted to find out:
“(1) In a biographical movie such as this, where does the FACT end and the FICTION begin?
“(2) Being the concluding episode of the BAYANIVERSE, what is the filmmaker trying to say about a trio of Filipino heroes?
“and most important….
“(3) Why are there more people watching the SINESILIP movies than an ambitious epic of historical note like QUEZON?
“I shall not sleep well tonight thinking about this,” commented on his social media spaces.
Well-meaning writer Pennie Azarcon de la Cruz, on the other side, said she liked the film and unlearned and relearned a lot even if she got a flat 1 at her history classes.
Pipo Cifra, an award-winning musical director, said he hasn’t seen the movie but the recent fracas added interest to it. “Pagkatapos nito, pinipilahan na ang (After the brouhaha, many queued up to) ‘Quezon’,” he said.
I haven’t seen “Quezon” yet but I am happy historical movies are being patronized massively by the public.
TBA Studios reax on controversy
“At the recent talkback session for the film, one of President Manuel L. Quezon’s descendants expressed his views on the movie. While we respect and understand his sentiments, we wish to reiterate that the film is grounded in verified historical accounts, including President Quezon’s own autobiography and other reputable sources.
While the film includes fictional elements for thematic purposes, the facts and details presented in the film are easily verifiable through public records, online research, or library resources. To support further learning, the production has released a Study Guide and Companion Book with a comprehensive list of the books and references used in the film’s research.
We encourage everyone to watch the movie so they can form their own opinions and join the ongoing conversation about the film, our history, and how it continues to resonate today.
We hope that #QUEZON can continue to inspire meaningful dialogue, reflection, and a deeper appreciation of our nation’s past.”