For director Tarog, 'Goyo' is a two-hour mournful song
Three years after “Heneral Luna” came out in 2015, becoming the highest grossing Filipino historical film of all time for two years, director Jerrold Tarog is back with “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.”
Brought by TBA Studios, “Goyo” picks up where “Heneral Luna” left off with the controversial assassination of General Antonio Luna. In “Goyo,” the Filipino revolution marches on against the Americans. But in the arms of a country in relative quiet, the Philippines may have been forgetful of her plight and what invaders have taken from her.
In the thick of it all is Gregorio “Goyo” del Pilar, among the youngest generals during the Philippine-American war. He is put on a pedestal, hailed as a celebrated hero since his successful raid against the Spaniards.
Portrayed by Paulo Avelino who reprises his role as the titular character, Goyo personifies the conflicting philosophies behind heroic struggle and the turbulence of youth in what Tarog describes as “a coming-of-age film set in the historical genre.” Leading up to the Battle of Tirad Pass that would buy President Emilio Aguinaldo some time in his attempt to steer clear of the Americans, “Goyo” asks what really makes a hero.
In the film, Tarog once more incorporates prominent Filipino historical figures like Apolinario Mabini and Manuel L. Quezon.
In a Q&A session with Cebuano educators following a screening of “Goyo” and a keynote speech by historian Alvin Campomanes at the Large Screen Display of SM Seaside City Cebu, Tarog shared a bit of inside info on the film via phone patch.
The audience was especially curious what happens next after “Goyo,” asking if the follow-up would be another biopic.
“Nung nag-audition si Paulo for the role, sabi ko na pag nag-succeed ang ‘Heneral,’ baka gagawin yung 'Goyo.'
And pag nag-succeed ang 'Goyo,' sinabi
ko din kay Benjamin Alves na Manuel Quezon yung third," he said.
The version of “Goyo” shown at the screening was about 90 percent complete, and by the time “Goyo” hits theaters nationwide on September 5, a version with a more polished sound, color, special effects, and other elements will grace the big screen.
Following up a box-office hit had not been easy for the team behind “Goyo.” Reportedly among the biggest Filipino film productions to date, it has a set resembling a real-life plaza built from scratch with second-storey balconies and markets, with hundreds to thousands of actors wearing tailored clothes on set.
Most importantly, Tarog made sure that “Goyo” would not simply become a “Heneral Luna Part Two.”
“Sinadya ko siya,” Tarog says of how “Goyo” was written much differently from its prequel.
“I try as much as possible to do something different with every film. Ayokong inuulit yung ginawa ko. Sinadya ko talaga na maghanap ng parts sa buhay ni Goyo na pwede kong gawin na sobrang contrast doon sa ‘Heneral Luna,’” said Tarog.
“Which is why, from the tone of the film, pati kulay ng poster, ibang iba. Naka timpla na yun para iba yung experience this time. And para mas meaningful. Inisip namin na ibahin and hindi sundin yung formula paggawa ng ‘Heneral Luna,’” Tarog says.
Tarog, from a personal standpoint, likens “Goyo” to an elegy.
“Pag tinatanong ako about sa message, mas prefer ko kung ano ang basa ng audience sa pelikula,” Tarog said when asked his intentions.
“There are certain things within the film na doon ko nilalaro ang kwento—which is the idea of growing up and realizing what’s important to you because suddenly you realize na napaka-fragile ng buhay mo. Na-realize mo na pwede kang mamatay,” he shared.
“On a larger scale, parang yung buong film is like an elegy. Para siyang pagluluksa sa kung ano yung nangyari sa revolution. It’s a twohour mournful song para sa akin. Na pinagluluksa natin yung nangyari sa rebolusyon but as for specific message, mas prefer ko na audience ang makahugot ng something sa film.”
With a film putting a spotlight on real-life events that became a catalyst to the country’s present state, whether a character is seemingly put to a certain light can be a sensitive topic. For the longest time, the characters moving around the historical trilogy had only been names and photographs for many of us — not giving their decisions, which had made such a large impact on the country, a second thought and considering them as heroes because it had said so in a text book instead of thinking about the causes, effects, and motives.
Although Tarog and the production had done extensive research, reading up on biographies by Teodoro Kalaw as well as crossing the Tirad Pass and weaving real heroes’ quotes into the script— viewers were curious about the portrayal of certain characters in the film, say, that of President Aguinaldo’s seemingly ambiguous intentions right from “Heneral Luna.”
“We can be fair by showing both his [Aguinaldo] mistakes and his achievement. Yun ang pinakafair at tama na paghusga kay Aguinaldo,” Campomanes said, pressing that one who did not do their research before and after watching the film, or someone who refuse to acknowledge what the film presents might subscribe to bias.
The professor also reminded that while being critical of our heroes’ and leaders’ mistakes, we should also not strip them off of their contributions altogether.
Tarog, who recognizes that there might be people who will not agree with the way certain personas are portrayed in the film, said that more things will be revealed come the next movie. He promised that characters will be able to present their rebuttal of sorts according to the actual timeline of events.
“Importante mabuo yung trilogy. Malaki ang point of view ni Aguinaldo pagdating sa ‘Manuel.’ This timeline, doon na yung sagot ni Aguinaldo kay Mabini sa bintang sa kanya," he says.
"Goyo" will hold a red carpet premiere tomorrow at Robinsons Galleria Cebu, to be graced by cast members Paulo Avelino, Gwen Zamora, Carlo Aquino, Benjamin Alves, Mon Confiado, Epy Quizon, Empress Schuck and Rafa Siguion-Reyna.