Ricky Avanceña, one of the grandchildren of former President Manuel Luis Quezon, has expressed his disappointment over Jerrold Tarog’s newest historical film “Quezon,” which portrays the life of his late grandfather.
The movie serves as the final installment of the “BAYANIverse” trilogy by TBA Studios, following the acclaimed blockbusters “Heneral Luna” and “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.”
In a Facebook post on Friday, October 10, Avanceña shared that he watched “Quezon” for the third time and participated in a post-screening question and answer session.
“My only question was to the Director Jerrold Tarugo. ‘Was this film political satire or not?’ He said yes but tried to wiggle away from the question. Kesyo dis kesyo dat. Sabi ko, ‘Satire, may definition, (parang fortwith), satire, di nagbibiro lang pala kayo?’” Avanceña recounted.
He went on to describe how actor Jericho Rosales, who portrays Quezon in the film, intervened during the exchange.
“At this point Jericho Rosales stood up and told me to stop talking. That other people had questions. So ayaw nila marinig ang opinyon ng isang direct descendant?” he said.
Clearly frustrated, Avanceña continued: “[N]ilalako nila ang pambababoy sa alaala ng mga taong patay, at di nila ako hahayaan na magpahayag ng damdamin at ipagtanggol sila? […] Well ang ending, sabi ko, ‘Sige, but allow me to channel my Lolo. Punyeta, mga kupal kayo!’”
Despite his strong reaction, Avanceña clarified that he was not discouraging the public from watching the film.
“Watch it, and then join me in a social media defense mga Quezon followers. Nobody said he was a hero, so labas sya sa kabaduyan ng ‘Bayaniverse’. He was a President, and the best ever most incorruptible,” he said.
Former President Manuel L. Quezon is remembered as the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth and is widely recognized as the “Father of the National Language.”
Before his presidency, Quezon also took part in the Philippine-American War of 1899, cementing his role as both a revolutionary and a statesman in Philippine history.