“A LOT of questions for our country, history, and for ourselves.”
This is how actor Paulo Avelino wants the audience to receive the movie “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” as it opens in Philippine cinemas tomorrow.
Avelino, who plays the title role of Gregorio del Pilar, was in Robinsons Galleria Cebu last Saturday, September 1 for the film’s Premiere Night. He was joined by cast members Carlo Aquino, Mon Confiado, Gwen Zamora, Empress Schuck, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Jason Dewey, Stephanie Mae Sol, and the film’s director Jerrold Tarog.
“The most relatable is focusing on your responsibilities.
Definitely, there will be a lot of distractions along the way,” he told the members of Cebu Entertainment Group when asked how the audience can relate to Goyo.
Avelino particularly cited the scenes they shot in the mountain as challenging.
“It was really not an easy mountain to shoot,” he said.
Born in Bulacan on November 14, 1875, Del Pilar gained a good reputation in his province after it was freed by the Spaniards.
The young general gained access to the circle of President Emilio Aguinaldo and became his favorite.
Del Pilar died on December 2, 1899 during the Battle of Tirad Pass in Pasong Tirad, Ilocos Sur.
The womenProduced by TBA Studios, “Goyo” centers on the life del Pilar, including the women he was involved with.
One of them is Felicidad Aguinaldo, portrayed by Schuck. At the red carpet premiere, the actress talked about the lessons the film can impart to the audience.
“It’s okay to be human. It’s okay not to be perfect. Kahit si General Goyo, nagkakamali rin. Siguro, not to be greedy or siguro pag successful na, always be humble and keep your feet on the ground,” she said.
Schuck said tackling the role was a challenge because the film is based on historical accounts.
“Challenging kasi hindi siya napapanahon. I mean lumang panahon siya. Wala tayo doon. How I am going to act kung ano man kilos nila dati,” she said.
Another woman in Del Pilar’s life is Remedios Nable Jose, which was portrayed by Zamora.
“I am super thankful and honored more than anything. I am so proud. Grabe ‘yung movie na ‘to kasi it is an enjoyable and emotional roller coaster. It is also informative,” she said.
The challengeFor acclaimed director Tarog, recreating the Battle of Tirad Pass was most challenging.
“Sobrang struggle ng pag-akyat ng more than 200 people up the mountain during the rainy season. We shot from the different points of view so we kept on moving around areas of the mountain,” he said.
Tarog and his team visited the Pasong Tirad, Ilocos Sur twice as part of their research.
“It was kind of difficult kasi inaccessible ‘yung place and doon namin na realize na hindi kami pwede mag shoot doon. So we looked for another one,” he said.
In the movie, the scenes for the Battle of Tirad Pass were taken in Mount Balagbag in Rizal.
It took them 60 shooting days and almost one year of post-production to create the movie.
With the success of “Heneral Luna” in 2015 which earned more than P200 million, is Tarog pressured for “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral”?
“I try not to think about that kasi masisira ulo ko, ma pe-pressure lang ako. I am just happy na natapos namin ang film and we came up something. The cast and crew are proud of the film,” he smiled.