Another look at Manuel Quezon

MANILA, Philippines - After portraying an ordinary Chinese mestizo based in Zamboanga in the Cinemalaya entry Astig, Arnold Reyes recently essayed an extraordinary man named Manuel Luis Quezon, Philippines’ Commonwealth president in the play titled MLQ: Ang Buhay Ni Manuel Luis Quezon Isang Dula. The presentation is part of QC@70 celebrations led by Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. Torch Productions partnered with the local government of QC for the event.

The artist in Arnold gave his all and lost himself in the role even if the Cinemalaya Best Supporting Actor had only nine days to study his role.

“It discusses the life of Manuel Quezon — who he is and what he has gone through from childhood and adulthood,” says Arnold of MLQ. “It gives everyone a look at how he has become a politician from being governor to senator.”

This is the second time Arnold portrayed a president. The first was for the movie The Forgotten War as former President Fidel Ramos.

“History repeats itself. There were issues in the time of Manuel Quezon which we still see today,” says Arnold. “One is the effort of foreigners to control our lives. There are politicians who are lured by them and who give in to their pressure.”

Speaking of pressures, Arnold found MLQ difficult because the actors and the production people had only nine days to prepare. After rehearsals, Arnold would still go over the script and memorize his lines on his way home. That scenario continued at home.

Arnold had to recondition himself again to the demands and realities of theater. This is true because he has been busy doing indies and TV. Remember stage, film and TV are totally different mediums. Arnold did some brushing up although he finds acting in them challenging because he has to bring a certain reality and truth in his every portrayal. Televiewers last saw him in ABS-CBN’s Only You.

“The last play I did was contemporary,” recalls Arnold. “This one is period and historical. The audience has to be convinced that what they see on stage is Manuel Quezon — and not me.”

“He was instrumental in gaining our independence in spite of some people who disagreed with him,” adds Arnold about the late president who was considered by many as “a statesman, lover of freedom and advocate of social justice.”

“What matters is he was able to pursue what he wished to do.”

What other things did Arnold discover about Quezon?

“He was just an ordinary person,” replies Arnold. “He also lied and engaged in some childish fight when he was young. The hard times (and abuses) his family experienced (in the hands of Spanish friars) also helped him become a principled man. I’m grateful to him because he (contributed a lot) to the freedom we are enjoying now.”

What’s next for Arnold after Astig and MLQ?

He will be seen in the Vilma Santos starrer In My Life premiering in September and in a couple of soaps after Only You.”