Being a Muslim, Robin Padilla can have four wives (three more after Mariel Rodriguez [“My one and only,” said Robin] whom he married in India). That was what the movie press focused on during the presscon for Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo, and whether or not he has already accepted the reality that his brother Rustom is dead but reincarnated as BB Gandanghari.
When Conversations sat with Robin, the topic was serious: Philippine History which, according to Robin, should be rewritten to give justice to Andres Bonifacio, known as The Great Plebeian, his hero, whom he portrays in an official entry in the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival produced by Philippians Productions opening on Thursday, Dec. 25. (The MMFF will be kicked off by the traditional Parade of Stars on Tuesday, Dec. 23, and not on the old date Dec. 24.)
The producers described Andres Bonifacio as one of the Philippines’ most iconic heroes and yet only a handful truly know the real story behind the legendary man who led a country to a revolution. Promising to change all that, Unang Pangulo is a historical action epic that brings to light the powerful, true-to-life story of Bonifacio unfolding through the eyes of a young man (Daniel Padilla) in this day and age, with Eddie Garcia symbolizing the film’s link to the youth of today. Other members of the cast are Vina Morales as Bonifacio’s wife Oriang, Jasmine Curtis Smith, RJ Padilla, Joem Bascon, Junjun Quintana, Cholo Barretto, Isabel Oli, Richard Quan, Ping Medina, Rommel Padilla, Dennis Marasigan and Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, with the special participation of Jericho Rosales as Jose Rizal.
At the helm is director Enzo Williams, an award-winning graduate of the Los Angeles City College, which is said to be the largest film school in the US. Like Padilla, Williams is passionate about Bonifacio. To make his vision come to life, he assembled the best talents in the film industry, including award-winning cinematographer Carlo Mendoza, renowned production designer Roy Lachica, musical scorer Von de Guzman, and Hollywood stunt director Sonny Sison.
Why Bonifacio of all Filipino heroes? Why do you call him Unang Presidente (First President)?
“Why Bonifacio? Because I believe that he is the greatest Filipino hero, the only one who deserves that kind of recognition. It was only Bonifacio who fought for our freedom. Rizal never asked for freedom from Spain, he asked for autonomy. Ang gusto niya magkaroon tayo ng representasyon sa gobyerno ng Spain.
“I understand Rizal. He studied in Spain so he knew the heart of Spain. Alam niya na ‘yung mga namumuno dito ay ‘yung mga bad eggs, so to get rid of the bad eggs at palitan ng mga Filipino. But Bonifacio didn’t agree with Rizal. Bonifacio believed that as long as the country was under a foreign power we would never have our freedom. ‘Yon ang pinag-iba nilang dalawa. We owe our freedom to Bonifacio. Several fought, one of them our family’s great uncle Diego Silang, pero sa Ilocos lang siya lumaban. But when Bonifacio fought, nag-spread ang rebolusyon, from Luzon to the Visayas to Mindanao.
“Check out the history of other countries and when you say ‘national hero,’ siya ‘yung talagang lumaban. You can never find a national hero who just wrote something.”
I’m amazed by your knowledge of Philippine history, especially about Rizal and Bonifacio.
“Don’t misunderstand me. I love Rizal. Even before this movie was planned, I went to Madrid to study Rizal. I read his diary. I was in Madrid when direk Enzo called, ‘Umuwi ka dito, gawin natin ‘yung Bonifacio movie.’ So I know kung gaano kagaling si Rizal. But if we talk who the real national hero of the Philippines is, si Bonifacio ‘yon.”
Several actors have portrayed Bonifacio, what else is there to show? (Among them: Gardo Versoza in Jose Rizal, 1998; Cesar Montano in El Presidente, 2012; and Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas in Ang Supremo: Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio.)
“Artista lang sila; I can name them all. Even before we were born, Bonifacio has been the subject of movies. How am I different? Well, ang pinagkaiba ko lang, I’m a true revolutionary...through and through. I think I am the only actor who is a true member of the Katipunan — you know, Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangan, Katipunan ng mga anak ng bayan.”
Well, I really know you as a revolutionary in real life. What does KKK mean these days?
“KKK still means the same; walang dapat baguhin because the revolution has not really ended. It’s unfinished. Katipunan is alive, not just in spirit but in reality. Last Nov. 30 during the commemoration of Bonifacio Day, 4,000 people showed up.”
Can you tell us about your research for this movie? Do you think history is incorrect about Bonifacio?
“What was happening during Bonifacio’s time was not different from what’s happening now, especially how society looks at the rich and the poor. Kapag mahirap ang nagreklamo, sasabihin nila terosista, bandido, walang pinag-aralan. Those are the accusations hurled at you if you are poor. That was what happened to Bonifacio. Check out Bonifacio’s letters at the National Library. When Cavite and Nueva Ecija made a turn-around about the fight against the Spaniards, Bonifacio’s first letter to his generals was about the distribution of lands, ipamigay ang mga lupa, which were then in the name of the friars. One of our family’s great grandfathers was a friar. The friars owned the land at kumukuha lang sila ng trustees, one of them the mother of Rizal. She wasn’t the owner of the land, she was just a trustee.”
Are any of Bonifacio’s heirs still around?
“Most of them changed their names after the assassination of Bonifacio. Ang isa pang pamilya niya nagtampo sa Spain. His remains were never found. During the Commonwealth elections, Bonifacio’s death became a political issue. Somebody came out with a skull which was not confirmed if it was really that of Bonifacio kasi wala pa namang DNA testing noon and used it against Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo (first president of the Philippine Republic). After the election, nawala na ‘yung bungo.”
Do you think that Philippine history should be rewritten or, at least, corrected?
“Yes, it should be. By the way, making this movie doesn’t mean that we hate Aguinaldo. Whatever Aguinaldo did to Bonifacio, Gen. Gregorio del Pilar and Antonio Luna, eh, may justification ‘yan.”
Why are you so fascinated with heroes? (His MMFF entry last year, 10,000 Hours, was inspired by former Sen. Ping Lacson’s “escape.”)
“Actually, I’ve done several movies about heroes. Alab ng Lahi was about Luis Taruc. It was the first venture of our own RCP Productions shown at a Manila Filmfest. I also did a movie about Muslim and Christian heroes who should fight together and not each other. Then, Sa Ngalan ng Ama, Ina at Mga Anak. We need real heroes not politicians who are looked up to as heroes. Malabo! Hindi sila heroes. That’s why we are thankful na kami ng partners namin are one in making the Filipino people, especially the young, recognize the real heroes, especially the old ones who fought for our country’s freedom. That’s what I’ve been telling Daniel and my children. I would like Daniel to portray Del Pilar in a movie. Emilio Jacinto was only 18 when he wrote the Kartilya ng Katipunan. Gregorio del Pilar was only 21 when he started fighting for our country.”
Come to think of it, what do you have in common with Bonifacio?
“I am the reincarnation of Bonifacio. ‘Yun lang ‘yon. But not literally huh!.”
Speaking of Spain…Are you serious about living in Spain?
“Yes, I’m serious. You see, I have given up not on the Filipino people but the way our country is being run by politicians. Hino-hold-up na ako ng sobra, eh. Noon, ang dami-dami kong natutulungan, from Tandang Sora to Fairview where I used to live. Now, it’s already Dec. 16 (time of the interview) at hindi pa nila nararamdaman ang Pasko, kasi kinuha na ng gobyerno. We are over-taxed.”
What will you do in Spain?
“I want to have the history rewritten. Spain is the only country that can tell the truth about the history of the Philippines kasi hindi sila biased. In the Philippines, there are only two groups that you can ask, the pro-Bonifacio and the pro-Aguinaldo. You won’t get the truth.”
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com.)