A grandson of former Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon has clashed with the director and lead actor of the biopic Quezon over the film’s portrayal of his grandfather.
Quezon is the third and final instalment in the Bayaniverse trilogy about Philippine heroes. The film explores the life of the first president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. It portrays him as a charismatic and visionary leader while also highlighting traits such as being “domineering, devious and dishonest.”
“Desecrating Quezon’s memory”
During a Q&A session for the film in Makati City on Thursday, Quezon’s grandson, Enrique “Ricky” Quezon Avanceña, asked director Jerrold Tarog whether he intended the film to serve as political satire.
The discussion became heated when Avanceña questioned the portrayal of his grandfather. He asked Tarog if he was “joking” about the depiction, but the director replied: “No, the topic is serious.”
Avanceña then accused the filmmakers of tarnishing Quezon’s legacy.
“You desecrated the memory of my grandfather,” Avanceña said.
Actor Jericho Rosales, who portrays Quezon in the biopic, intervened and asked Avanceña to allow other audience members to ask questions.
“We’re gonna listen to you, but there is a space and time,” Rosales explained.
Avanceña continued to criticise the film and later claimed that it had opened a “Pandora’s box” of criticism surrounding the former president.
He also accused the producers of defaming the Quezon family for profit before ending his remarks with foul language and dropping his microphone.
Avanceña later clarified on Facebook that he was not calling for a boycott of the film. Instead, he encouraged people to join him online in defending Quezon.
“He was a President, and the best ever, most incorruptible,” he concluded.
“Grounded in verified historical accounts”
TBA Studios, the production company behind the Bayaniverse trilogy, addressed the tense Q&A on Friday. The company said it respects Avanceña’s views but maintained that the filmmakers based the film on historical sources.
“We wish to reiterate that the film is grounded in verified historical accounts, including President Quezon’s own autobiography and other reputable sources,” TBA Studios said in a statement.
The company acknowledged that the film includes fictional elements for thematic purposes. However, it said viewers can verify the facts and details presented through public records, online research and library resources.
TBA Studios also encouraged audiences to watch Quezon and form their own opinions about the film and its portrayal of Philippine history.
The production company hopes the movie will encourage meaningful discussion and reflection about the country’s past and its continuing relevance today.
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