Quezon Review – Jericho Rosales, Mon Confiado (TBA Studios)

TBA Studios‘ Quezon hits theaters today and it’s time to look at the man and the hero and if he truly was a hero. The film stars Jericho Rosales and directed by Jerold Tarrog.

TBA says goodbye to the battlefield and hello to the political arena where a different game of life and death is played with Quezon as one of the arena’s prominent players. Jericho Rosales rises to the occasion playing the role of Manuel Luis Quezon. Rosales’ take feels nuanced and well-choreographed initially but watch him transform before your eyes after that initial surprise. And the moment he transforms, that’s also when we get pulled in through this man’s shenanigans and what he had to do to get what he wants namely power and control.

“Quezon” set out to tell the story of the man and the president but at the same time cut him down from this near-mythic figure into a man, a human being that’s neither totally good nor totally bad. We all have a bad side and that’s what the film wants to remind us. As we go through this journey to shed more light into the man, the actor totally transforms into the man from Quezon province who paved the road for Filipino independence from US control. Actually I’m happy that the film not only brought us along through a history lesson but also provided some clear cut understanding on what happened and what Quezon did to undermine the progress purely out of hubris and pride.

All of the cast are damned good in this final installment of the “Bayaniverse” from Mon Confiado reprising his role as Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo to Romnick Sarmenta as Sergio Osmena to Cris Villanueva playing the older version of our Bayaniverse POV character Joven Hernando.

In the “Heneral Luna” and “Goyo”, Aguinaldo was build differently but we see a more tempered Aguinaldo, a general that’s seen it all and really just wants to retire yet forced back into the limelight after a misunderstanding or betrayal depending on what side of the fence. Regardless, Confiado’s role and acting is top notch including two significant moments towards the end of the film where he could have given to his impulses and his emotions but opted to remain cool. The same can be said for Cris Villanueva and Romnick Sarmenta whose passionate performance provides us with a glimpse of hope amidst the darkness that’s slowly crawling through the film. Sarmenta is his now-trademark cool and calm demeanor is channeled in his take on Osmena plays understanding friend and foil for Quezon through the years, which eventually becomes useful for the government amidst the war.

Villanueva and to some extent Aaron Villaflor’s Joven continues to show maturity and the spirit of truth and freedom. The main thrust for him though and his journey is trying to continue to preach about freedom of the press and the freedom of speech while being biased to someone who plays dirty and secretly corrupt as hell. It’s never been more timely and that’s why I consider Villanueva’s role to be truly our main lifeline to the real world and realtime events.

And it might not be obvious but there are some seeds for future projects that have been laid out in the film including the character Nadia Hernando, the daughter of Joven, who is poised to thrust the Bayaniverse in a new direction down the road. I am truly excited what they are planning for the future with this film franchise as well as having a woman take charge as the central character or an important POV character. For now though, Nadia’s still a rookie but she’s already ready to stand up for what’s right and what’s the truth.

If you also think that this is going to be long drawn out talks that might make you snooze, the film is actually written quite well that it keeps you hooked, does the right amount of exposition, gives us all details and visually clues us in so you’ll never be bored. I haven’t been this engrossed in political power plays since House of Cards or Designated Survivor.

It’s also designed and written to make it good enough for younger audience. I went to the screening with the hope that I can bring my kid to a separate screening and I’m happy to report that it’s good enough to bring your kids. Massive props to TBA Studios and director Jerold Tarrog for making this important film a PG film that students can watch together as a class.

QUEZON REVIEW VERDICT – 9.5

Quezon shifts the battlefield from the actual field to the much deadlier arena of politics. Tarrog brings us not only through another history lesson with an important figure in Philippine history but also humanizes him and shows a different, darker side to Quezon. All the while viewers are also asked through a number of ways what makes a hero and what makes a man. Great acting from the entire cast from Jericho Rosales as Quezon right down to smaller, returning characters like Pedro Janolino and more! Jericho Rosales, hands down steals the show as Quezon running around and playing his game and political power moves. Quezon may be ending the Bayaniverse trilogy but opens new doors and windows for other projects that relate to our “bayani” and our past presidents. It’s a great film to watch under any pretense whether to be entertained, educated or anywhere in between.

Quezon is now playing in cinemas from TBA Studios!