MANILA -- Playing the late President Manuel L. Quezon in the highly anticipated biopic "Quezon" reignited actor Jericho Rosales’ pride in his Filipino heritage and deepened his love for the country.
In a media conference on Tuesday afternoon held at The Manila Hotel, Rosales described "Quezon" as a blessing that came at the perfect time for him.
"Nag-usap kami ni Jerrold (Tarog) kanina pareho kaming palakol sa history, noong nasa high school. And I really never liked history, bored me to death and I was just like falling asleep always. And because of this film parang nabuhay ang pagka-Pilipino ko. It's such a blessing. The timing was perfect," Rosales said.
Rosales recalled that when he was asked by Tarog do "Quezon," he immediately agreed without understanding the real meaning of portraying a president or the movie itself.
Now, the actor understands the importance of history and how it helps Filipinos love the Philippines.
"May meaning pala 'yung pag-play ng presidente ng Pilipinas," he said. "I understand now how important history is. And, I understood that the reason why I fell asleep in history class noong bata ako because I didn't care about the country. It's care that actually makes you move. It is love that makes you move. You love your family, then you move; you love your friends, then you move. You do the things that no one would ever do for them because you love them."
He added: " And because of this film I saw how important it is for everyone to take responsibility and actually knowing and understanding saan ba tayo nanggaling? Sino ba itong mga hinahalal natin? Sino ba itong inilagay natin? But it's very important for us to understand what we love most about our country so that we will be proud again. And through history diyan mo malalaman bakit ko ba mahal ang Pilipinas. So naiintindihan ko ngayon because of this film, now I am more involved."
Rosales also shared his thoughts on the current issue of corruption in government. For him, corruption can not be solved by one person alone, but by all Filipinos working as one.
"Corruption is just like a pimple. It's the by-product of puyat, oil and everything that we eat. Going back to the question kung ano ang mapupulot natin dito sa pelikula na ito? Play the trailer ten times if you need to because the answer is there. All the words that he selected, that he cut, has a meaning there," Rosales said.
WATCH: TBA Studios drops official trailer of 'Quezon' ahead of Oct. 15 release
"Saan ba nanggaling ito? Bakit ba nakakalusot? Hindi trabaho ng isang tao ang pag-solve ng corruption. Trabaho natin, buong Pilipinas, bawat isang Pilipino. Kaya namin pinili 'I am the Philippines' because we also should take responsibility. What do we need? What do we actually need? Then we write it down and announce it? We need a website so we can check everything, what's happening around us. We need information, we need this, we need that, we need to fact-check everything because it is our taxes. It is our money. We serve each other. How do we solve it? We all have the answers, not one man, not one person," he continued.
The over two-minute trailer of "Quezon" released in August features key scenes and highlights from the movie including Quezon's tumultuous presidential campaign against then-President Emilio Aguinaldo.
"Quezon" follows the life of Quezon "as he fights for the country's independence from the United States. He finds himself playing the brutal game of politics to outmaneuver his rivals--including Leonard Wood, Sergio Osmeña, and Joven Hernando. In his relentless quest for power, Quezon eventually faces off with Emilio Aguinaldo in the 1935 Philippine presidential elections, using charm and favoritism as both weapons and currency, in a campaign that ultimately changes the face of Philippine politics and history."
"Quezon" marks the conclusion of TBA Studios’ cinematic “Bayaniverse”, a series of films based on Philippine history that includes box office hits “Heneral Luna” and “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.”
Joining Rosales in "Quezon" are stars Benjamin Alves, Mon Confiado, Arron Villaflor, Cris Villanueva, Romnick Sarmenta, Karylle, JC Santos, Jake Macapagal, Bodjie Pascu, Angeli Bayani, Jojit Lorenzo, Joross Gamboa, Therese Malvar, Ana Abad Santos, Ketchup Eusebio and Nico Locco.
Scottish actor Iain Glen portrays Leonard Wood in "Quezon," which is rated PG by the MTRCB.
'Game of Thrones' actor Iain Glen joins 'Quezon' film
'Quezon' gets PG rating from MTRCB
TBA Studios president and COO Daphne O. Chiu-Soon said that while it is the conclusion to the “Bayaniverse” trilogy, “Quezon” is a stand-alone film. She produced "Quezon" with the support of TBA Studios chairman emeritus Fernando Ortigas and TBA Studios CEO E.A. Rocha. Rosales served as co-executive producer, with Margie Navarro-de Guzman and Atty. Rod Vera as associate producers. Tarog and Rody Vera co-wrote the screenplay.
"We conceived 'Quezon' as big screen spectacle to be fully appreciated in the theaters. With our world-class production values and an all-star ensemble cast, we believe 'Quezon' isn't just a movie, it's an event that demands big screen," Chiu-Soo said.
Last month, TBA Studios announced that beginning October 15, the film's opening day, students and teachers can watch the film in Philippine cinemas at a discounted price of P250.
TBA Studios announces teachers, students can get discounted tickets for 'Quezon'
Following its October 15 premiere in Philippine theaters, "Quezon" will have its international festival debut at the 45th Hawai’i International Film Festival on October 26 at Consolidated Kahala Theater and October 28 at Consolidated Kapolei Theater.
It will also have screenings in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East.
Jericho Rosales to star in historical biopic 'Quezon'
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