CARLO Cruz, Rafa Siguion-Reyna and Mon Confiado at the special preview
for “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” at SM Seaside City Cebu
SELECT educators and youth had the chance to watch the most awaited historical film this year “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.”
A special preview was held August 18 at the Large Screen Cinema of SM Seaside City Cebu. It was presented by Dakila, TBA Studios, and Active Vista Center.
Before the special preview, Rash Caritativo, OIC executive director for Dakila, introduced what the film is about.
”This year, we will once again dig dipper into the idea of heroism as we get to know the youngest general in the Philippine-American War,” she said.
Audience witnessed the struggles and challenges of a young man tasked with a huge responsibility of leading a revolution.
Caritativo also explained in behalf of “Goyo” director Jerrold Tarog that the version of the movie shown last Saturday was about 90 percent complete.
”The whole story is already in place but there will be minor tweaks and improvements to be done,” she said.
Tarog, lead actor Paulo Avelino, Gwen Zamora and Epy Quizon were supposed to attend the special preview but their flights were canceled due to the closure of the runway at Ninoy Aquino International Airport after a Chinese passenger plane skidded off the runway.
The Del Pilars
After the special preview, Avelino and Tarog answered the audience’s questions video call and phone patch.
“Gusto ko sana mag sorry sa inyong lahat dahil alam natin na may problema sa mga flights all over Metro Manila. Pero sayang, ginawa namin lahat para makapunta diyan,” Avelino said.
Present at the preview were cast members Carlo Cruz, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, and Mon Confiado.
“Gusto ko po magpasalamat sa inyo. Actually kasama silang lahat (Avelino, Tarog, Zamora, and Quizon), magkasama kami sa airport since kaninang madaling araw. May problema lang talaga,” said Confiado, who plays Emilio Aguinaldo in the film.
Just like Confiado, Cruz thanked the Cebuanos for making it to the special preview.
“Magpapasalamat po ako. Sana nagustuhan niyo. Pinaghirapan po namin lahat ‘yun,” said Cruz, who plays Capt. Juan Del Pilar.
Siguion-Reyna, on the other hand, portrays Col. Julian del Pilar.
The film will hit Philippine cinemas on September 5.
After Cebu, educators in Manila will also have a special preview on August 25.
In character
Confiado, one of the most visible actors in film and on TV, says prior to playing President Emilio Aguinaldo, he was not that into Philippine history.
“Nahilig lang ako after ‘Heneral Luna’ at nagulat ako sa ganda ng kasaysayan natin,” he said.
To learn more about his character, Confiado visited the mansion of Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite.
“Ang ginawa ko pumunta ako sa bahay niya, sa mansion. Pinapakiramdaman ko ‘yung bahay,” he said.
What did he learn from the visit?
“Ang nakita ko ay isa siyang tahimik na bahay pero maraming lagusan. Maraming secret passages, maraming secret rooms. At yun ginawa ko sa ‘Heneral Luna.’ Tahimik si Aguinaldo, pero maraming laman ang isip niya,” Confiado said.
Biggest film
Avelino said he read up on Philippine history to know del Pilar more. Considered as Aguinaldo’s favorite, the young general gained a reputation for being a good soldier after the province of Bulacan was freed by the Spaniards.
He added that he considers “Goyo” as his biggest film so far and a highlight of his career.
But more than being a major boost to his career, Avelino hopes that the film will leave a big impact on people.
“This is to encourage more students and the people to do research and find their answers if they are in doubt and question certain happenings in the film,” he said.
Avelino was all praises for huge the production was. Aside from hiring thousands of people for the film, towns and houses were also constructed.
“So nice to make a film doing na not limited ang budget,” he said.
Avelino, however, acknowledged that there is pressure on how the film will perform at the box office especially that “Heneral Luna,” of which it is the sequel did very well.
Topbilled by John Arcilla and released in 2015, “Heneral Luna” earned more than P200 million and was a hit among critics and viewers.
The third film in the trilogy is “Manuel L. Quezon” with Benjamin Alves in the title role.