A grandson of former Philippine President Manuel L Quezon has clashed with the director and the lead actor of biopic “Quezon” over the film’s portrayal of his grandfather.
“Quezon” is the third and final installment in the “Bayaniverse” Trilogy about Philippine heroes.
The film delves into the first president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, portraying him as a charismatic, visionary leader who is also “domineering, devious and dishonest.”
“Desecrating Quezon’s memory”
During a Q&A for the film in Makati City on Thursday, Quezon’s grandson, Enrique “Ricky” Quezon Avanceña, asked director Jerrold Tarog if he intended the film to be political satire.
The conversation started to get heated when Avanceña, the son of Quezon’s second-born child Zeneida “Nini” Quezon Avanceña, asked Tarog if he was “joking” about how his grandfather was portrayed, to which the latter responded: “No, the topic is serious.”
Avanceña then accused the producers of tarnishing Quezon’s legacy.
“You desecrated the memory of my grandfather,” Avanceña said.
Actor Jericho Rosales, who played Quezon in the biopic, intervened, attempting to remind Avanceña of allowing other audience members to ask questions.
“We’re gonna listen to you, but there is a space and time,” Rosales explained.
However, the Quezon scion cut off the actor, later claiming that the film opened a “Pandora’s box” of criticism on the former president.
Avanceña then ended his tirades by accusing the producers of defaming the Quezon family for profit, concluding his statement with foul words against the production team before dropping his microphone to the floor.
Later on Facebook, Avanceña clarified that he is not calling for a boycott of the film, but instead join him online in defending Quezon.
“He was a President, and the best ever, most incorruptible,” he concluded.
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“Grounded in verified historical accounts”
TBA Studios, the production company behind the “Bayaniverse” trilogy, addressed on Friday the tense Q&A, saying that while they respect Avanceña’s view, the film is created using valid historical sources.
“We wish to reiterate that the film is grounded in verified historical accounts, including President Quezon’s own autobiography and other reputable sources,” TBA Studios wrote in a statement.
“While the film includes fictional elements for thematic purposes, the facts and details presented in the film are easily verifiable through public records, online research, or library resources,” it added.
The production company also urged the public to watch “Quezon” so they can “form their own opinions and join the ongoing conversation about the film, our history, and how it continues to resonate today.”
“We hope that #QUEZON can continue to inspire meaningful dialogue, reflection, and a deeper appreciation of our nation’s past,” it added.
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Hazel Camba 
Jheruleene Anne Ramos 
Eugene Nicklaus S. Laqui