Quezon (2025)

[bunniefuu]

Thank you, Manoling.

You're a fast learner.

Finally, the days

of the Governor-General are behind us.

We gave you our full support.

Please don't forget the support

we gave you in Cavite.

Come, let me introduce you to my friends.

There's a time for that, buddy.

Carmen.

Lovely.

I cannot thank you enough, my goddaughter.

We need to talk.

At the right time, my friend.

Come to the Palace in two days

as an official guest.

In the meantime, let us enjoy the night

or let me enjoy the night.

Your godmother.

I am so tired of this game.

I mean it.

Once I'm done with my six-year term,

you'll be the president of the Republic.

I'll see crows turn white first

before you say no to power.

All I want is to see

the birth of the Republic.

My dear, we will.

Protests in Cavite are growing.

General Aguinaldo says you cheated.

Long live Aguinaldo!

You're our true president!

-Long live!

-Long live!

If the elections had been clean,

if there had been no collusion

within the government,

if no one abused their power,

we would've had a different outcome.

The people know this.

Quezon is a cheat! Oust him!

-He's a fraud!

-Oust him!

We must fight back!

sh**t that cheating Manuel Quezon.

I will take the first shot

with my own g*n.

k*ll Quezon!

-k*ll Quezon!

-sh**t him!

I don't want any bloodshed.

Does he have evidence?

I'm sorry, Papa.

You did nothing wrong.

He commissioned you to make those films.

You were just doing your job.

And you did it well.

I did the second version.

I followed Uncle Miguel's suggestion.

No one's seen it yet.

Why did you do it?

I was so mad after Alerta was shut down.

Uncle Miguel said you needed ammunition.

But I don't want you

to get into more trouble.

The election's over. He won.

What else can he do to me?

-Take care, Brother Manuel.

-Take care, Brother Manuel.

Doro.

I heard you're surrendering.

They're fellow soldiers.

Came all the way from Ilocos.

I'm Manuel Quezon.

I'm Rusca.

Eduardo Rusca.

This is Joven.

What happened to him?

He was in the Battle of Tirad Pass.

He's a journalist and photographer.

He risked his life like General Goyo.

Looks like he fought well.

I fell--

He fell deeply in love with the cause.

I salute you, soldier.

Don't spend this.

Let it be a reminder

that our principles are all we have.

Find me when you get better.

How? Where?

Just remember my name.

Manuel Luis Quezon.

I'll make that name famous.

Mr. President, Joven Hernando is here.

Please give this to my goddaughter.

Take good care of her.

There aren't too many

female filmmakers around.

I'm sure the film industry

is going to blow up soon.

What about the newspaper industry?

Still toying with it?

Has the fight begun?

We haven't had coffee yet.

You shut down my business. For what?

So all you'll read about

in the papers are praises.

It's too early for drama.

I had nothing to do with Alerta's closing.

Why would I do that?

It was your friend who bought the company.

He's a businessman.

We really can't write

bad things about you, can we?

You admit to slander?

It's not wrong to write about the truth.

Give me back Alerta.

I had nothing to do with it.

Joven, just focus on the movies.

You have a theater in Avenida, right?

Like I said,

that industry is going to be huge.

There's a new American studio,

the one owned by Harris and Eddie Tait.

State-of-the-art equipment,

better than what that damn Nepomuceno

or Salumbides have.

And you have Nadia.

She's going to go far.

There are so many opportunities

in the movies.

For campaigning.

I'm after the truth, not fiction.

What my daughter did,

that was just to make you look good.

Joven, I can't bring independence

to this country if people knew

what really went on in the government.

A government of liars?

My God.

Have you not read Plato?

Noble mentira. "The noble lie."

Have you not read Aristotle?

Mill? Rousseau?

Kant?

Truth is the foundation

of an orderly and just society.

Full house!

I fold!

Goddammit, my friend.

Let's not fight over philosophy

and ethics.

I can't use abstract virtues in real life.

Truth is a great ideal,

but you can't always use it to rule.

We have to balance things out.

In statecraft, what matters is the goal.

What is the goal?

Independence, my boy!

Joven.

I love this country.

But if I want change,

I need power.

Sometimes, I have to get my hands dirty.

Now that I'm telling you the truth,

you can't stand it.

I can face the truth.

I've been following you

since you were a lawyer.

I watched you become governor

despite the odds.

I saw how you championed independence,

how you were hailed a hero

after securing the Jones Law,

and how you became Senate President

because of that.

I watched you become president

after the Tydings-McDuffie Act.

But it's all a game!

Puzzle pieces

that formed only one picture,

you, and that's what I can't stand!

Joven.

We need trade-offs in this job.

Compromise.

Compromises are fine.

The question is, who benefits from them?

You self-righteous prick!

Are you still in college?

You're all theory.

Can't you just be happy

that we're so close to independence?

Goddammit.

Last year, we couldn't even fathom

having a Filipino president.

Yeah, I'm a prick.

Don't spend this.

Let this be a reminder.

You'll close the balcony?

Ah, no.

Just the furthest back.

That's where we'll build

the projection room.

God, you'll tear down the walls?

Oh, Uncle Eduardo,

you're still in love with vaudeville.

Not really.

I just feel bad about the building.

It's been here for so long.

Pa, where have you been?

In the monster's lair.

Did you two talk?

Is he giving back Alerta?

I doubt it.

Did you really make

two versions of the film?

One where he's the hero,

and another one that's more honest.

-For which stories?

-All of them.

The budget was enough.

Show me.

Okay!

Hey, you wanna watch a movie?

I've seen this already.

He became Senate President

because of the Jones Law

while Osmea became Speaker of the House.

Then it goes

Hold on. It's coming. Version two!

My fellow countrymen,

today is a great day for the nation!

Independence is finally within reach!

We've waited for many years.

I will spend my whole--

-What's the criteria?

-What?

For America to decide

that our government is stable?

When will they know?

It wasn't stated in the Jones Law.

Let's just be happy

for this small step, Uncle Miguel.

He can't help criticizing things.

He's always been that way.

The loyal sidekick.

If he's not an ally

to Quezon's march to the throne,

he's an obstacle.

It just depends on the day.

How many times did they fight and make up?

More than you and your girlfriend.

Oh, god!

Those two are worse than a married couple.

It is my pleasure to announce

that the Aguinaldo Pension Law,

which grants our great general

a lifetime pension

of 12,000 pesos a month,

has now been enacted.

This is our way of expressing gratitude

for all that he's done for our nation.

Long live the President

of the Veterans of the Revolution!

-Long live!

-Long live!

Long live El Presidente!

-Long live!

-Long live!

I look forward to our independence,

even if the United States

has not committed to any date yet.

We're getting there. Slowly.

As long as the Senate

and the Lower House are working together,

and no one's monopolizing

the passage of laws.

Isn't that right, Serging?

True. Especially if the Senate

has time to talk and is not wasting it

on social engagements

and other diversions.

Let go of me!

Who is she?

I want to talk to him.

As I was saying,

let's not waste our time on--

I don't know that woman.

I wasn't talking about her.

Who is she?

I trust that you're all

working diligently.

I'm already happy living

as a farmer in Paliparan.

Thanks to you.

I don't think I can face

the Americans anymore.

No problem. Leave it to us.

We formed the Council of State

with some Cabinet members.

Whatever the Americans say,

we Filipinos have a voice.

Doesn't that go against the Jones Law?

As long as Serging and I stand arm-in-arm,

and Francis Harrison is

the Governor-General,

we won't have a problem.

LEONARD WOOD IS THE NEW GOVERNOR-GENERAL

He wants to know

if you are all for independence.

I agree with everyone here.

We want independence

in the shortest time possible.

Do you understand

the meaning of independence?

Oh, yes!

I hear it's good enough to eat.

He's not wrong.

But why make Leonard Wood

Governor-General?

He's the one who led that m*ssacre in Jolo

that k*lled nearly a thousand Moros.

I worry about the implications

for Osmea and Quezon.

What do you mean?

They're going to blame each other.

That son of a b*tch!

Why me? This is all Sergio's fault!

He's been in the Lower House

for six years.

Everything had to go through him,

but nothing good came out of it.

Manolo!

What's the wager this time,

friends or foes?

-Foes.

-All right.

I love this job.

Now he shows his true colors.

He wants a fight? I'll give it to him.

The nerve of him to blame me

when he's the one on top.

Who do we hold accountable

for such a widespread catastrophe?

The leader!

This wouldn't have happened

if we had a solid, single leadership.

One person to speak

and act on behalf of the Legislature!

You realize these are the words

of a dictator.

We don't need dictators.

Right now, all decisions,

from appointments to governance,

have to go through Serging.

The Senate is not a rubber stamp.

Viva Unipersonalitas!

Viva Colectivistas!

You?

He got to single leadership first.

It's always black and white.

Those are just terms.

What matters is that I get more allies

to silence Serging and Wood.

A chameleon, huh?

That son of a b*tch.

But you are good at deception.

Remember Hong Kong?

I thought we were there for just a layover

before heading to America.

I had no idea you intended to marry me.

You wanted to get married too.

Right?

Yes, but

I had no idea you were engaged

to four other women.

But I chose to marry you.

I know.

I love you, but

you are a chameleon.

Don't deny it.

How come it sounds different

when you say it?

I just don't want to start hearing

about children outside of this marriage.

I already have my hands full

with our children.

Add to that all the man-babies

in the Legislature.

I'm doing the right thing, am I not?

You do believe

in my capacity as a senator?

I believe that you believe

you're doing the right thing.

I can't take on Sergio and Wood

at the same time.

I need to focus on my friend first.

How?

I'm a chameleon, right?

span style="s0"There's a coming election

for the Senate and the Lower House./span

I have a chance to play my favorite game.

Seor Manolo!

Tommy.

Need money again?

Not really.

I'm just short a thousand pesos.

I need it for a new set of false teeth.

Son of a b*tch.

You're sick.

I don't think so.

Take it easy with the women.

Choose carefully.

How? You took all the pretty ones already.

Shut your mouth.

Is it true Roxas is running for

Speaker of the House?

Yes.

Who else is running aside from Serging?

Tonio De Las Alas.

Easy.

Uh, Manolo, can you add another thousand?

Manolo!

Buddy! Good of you to drop by.

Tony De Las Alas.

Survey?

Trying to see

if we're standing on solid ground.

Tony.

I heard you wanted to run

as Speaker of the House.

That means I can't help you out with

that Cabinet position you've been wanting.

What? But--

Think about it.

There's a long line behind you.

Think about it, okay?

Namesake!

Son of a b*tch.

No need to be so formal, Manoling.

I hear you have a good chance

of becoming Speaker of the House.

You've become quite popular.

You remind me of myself

when I was your age.

You play poker?

I can learn.

What are you cooking up now?

Calm down.

I'm not cooking anything.

I'm tired of this game, my dear.

I've heard that before.

I'm serious.

My wife and I were talking last night

about my resignation as Senate President.

I need to get better.

For six years,

he led the party and Congress.

But what happened?

Who's going to resign first?

Osmea.

Let's be honest here.

Osmea is not fit to be a leader.

He just told me

he was considering resigning,

yet here he goes again.

If that's what he really thinks of me,

I might as well

resign as Council of State

and Speaker of the House!

I'm gonna go broke at this rate.

And if he has any honor in him,

I dare him to resign as well!

This is hilarious.

We're wasting time here.

-This is how we pay our bills.

-I'll find another job.

Will your resignations still be in effect?

If Serging wants his position back,

the elections are near.

Let the Legislature

put deserving people

in their proper places.

I think Quezon

has all his pieces in place.

I'm going to run for Senate.

I think I'll be useless in Congress.

I could run for Senate President if

Manuel is serious about not coming back.

You're going to get in trouble!

I remember this.

He was fighting with

this Governor-General

Leonard Wood.

It's a complicated story.

Was it ever simple?

Remember Ray Conley?

Did you put Conley here?

Up next!

Monching, we can't let this pass.

That Conley is out of bounds.

Who does he think he is?

Does he know who we are?

We'll fix this, my friend.

Of course, that was my scoop.

You know what to do.

Mr. Hernando.

Do you want a tip?

There's a bigger story behind this.

You'd think this Conley guy

is pretty sharp,

but truth is,

we have something against him.

Conley's known to clean up crime,

but he's actually a corrupt cop.

Smile.

He takes bribes.

span style="s0"He'll raid a joint

then expect them to pay up./span

It's his racket.

I published it in Alerta.

Everybody else picked it up.

Did you hear how much he made

from that Chinese businessman last time?

After Conley got the right amount,

he stopped bothering the man.

DET. CONLEY, MPD, CHARGED WITH BRIBERY

You got duped.

I won't deny that.

Now that's something.

span style="s0"They had the Governor-General

proclaiming Conley's innocence./span

Hello. This is Alerta.

CONLEY REINSTATED BY WOOD!

That's when the w*r of words started.

So Nadia filmed them, after all.

God, the Hernandos.

What did you see?

A lot.

Stuff about the Jones Law,

your fight with Osmea,

and about Leonard Wood.

Leonard.

I remember the day Monching

knocked on my door to ask for help.

Don't worry, you won't catch it.

Come in.

I need your help.

Is it true what we heard?

You all resigned?

They all resigned. Now what?

I don't know.

I don't think they know either.

span style="s0"My resignation won't mean anything

if Wood doesn't step down./span

He wasn't swayed by your act?

I need to steer public opinion

against him.

I need stronger allies.

Sweetheart, your health.

I'm okay.

The drugs from America are working.

This country needs me.

-Yes, but--

-I'm the only one

who can fight for independence.

You know that.

Did you take your medicine?

Hold on.

Manoling!

Manolo?

Jesus Christ, you'll give me

a heart attack.

My man, pack your bags.

You need to sail to the US.

Talk to President Coolidge.

Ask him to remove

that son of a b*tch Wood from his post.

Are you serious?

I don't make g*dd*mn jokes

at this ungodly hour.

Right away!

I want to see snow.

Not ready yet?

Our interview with Osmea is at three.

Go on without me.

What happened?

I'm tired.

Tired?

Of everything.

I want to retire.

Uncle Miguel.

You want to talk about it?

We have time.

You've been friends with Quezon

for how long?

Since he was a lawyer.

It's been decades.

He's done so much for you, hasn't he?

You're running two businesses.

You're Joven Hernando.

And you're Manuel Luis Quezon.

Be careful with him.

You've seen how he uses independence

to gain power.

He plays political games,

but he means well.

This is a lovely farm, General.

I spent months cultivating

this land and planting

all sorts of crops.

I can't thank you enough

for letting me and my family

stay here for free.

It's nothing.

It's the least I can do

for someone like you.

You did well, General.

It's nice to walk around.

But

going back to our topic.

Senator

It's a very simple request.

Don't think for one moment

that I don't want independence.

We all want that.

All I'm saying is,

be careful.

If he's that good at playing games,

there might come a day

where he will use you to win.

That f*cking American has gone too far.

He thinks he can push Filipinos around.

Son of a b*tch.

What are you really asking?

Condemn Wood in public. Just once.

I am sure

people will listen to El Presidente.

I understand what you're saying,

but I'm not worried.

Are you sure you're not in a gilded cage?

How can you be a guardian of truth

if you can only see one side?

I'm not blind.

Maybe

your vision has gone blurry?

It's been twenty years.

The youth have forgotten the sacrifices

we and the veterans made.

You have not been forgotten.

You?

Remember the speech I gave

in Washington D.C.?

I praised your courage and patriotism.

To the Americans.

I'm happy being a farmer.

I want peace and quiet.

Just one word.

That's all I need.

Are you really retiring?

I've been in the business long enough.

Just be careful.

Beware of people who say

they will fight for you,

that what they're doing is

for your own good.

Well then, hurry up. All of you.

Son of a b*tch.

This guy's no fun.

I can't get a read on him.

You know who's fun to play with?

Who?

Enteng.

Madrigal.

Exactly. That pushover.

Oh, dear.

"On behalf of the members

of the Veteranos de la Revolucion,

I express my support for

Governor-General Leonard Wood."

m*therf*cker!

That f*cking old geezer!

After everything I've done for him!

To think I praised him

in front of the Americans.

Stupid traitor.

Are you done?

Telegram. From Manoling in the US.

Son of a b*tch. Really?

What does it say?

Coolidge won't remove Wood.

He says if I insist, it'll prove

we're not ready for independence.

Seems you've met your match.

You're giving up?

But it's going to be bloody.

Lenny.

-Long live!

-Long live!

What?

Read this.

He probably met my medicine man.

He can cure TB

with just garlic and pineapple.

What's that? What's that?

Lanzones.

Why are you eating that?

But they're delicious.

My dear.

This is for you.

What's the occasion?

Now that Leonard is gone

and his replacement is friendlier,

we can resume our fight for independence.

My body can't handle the trip.

I was hoping you and Manoling

could go to the US to secure

a new independence bill.

I have a lot on my hands.

Serging.

If you secure this,

we can run in the national elections.

g*dd*mn.

We'll be the strongest contenders.

A sure double win.

You'll be my vice

and I'll be the president.

Why can't I be the president?

Since the beginning,

you were Watson and I was Holmes.

I think I'm more like Sancho Panza

and you're Don Quixote.

That was his mistake.

He sent Osmea and Roxas

to secure the bill,

which means he won't get the praise.

People won't be thanking him.

Come election time,

Osmea and Roxas could run

as president and vice,

and actually win.

Son of a

Then he's toast.

That's why there's another bill.

The Tydings-McDuffie.

Quezon changed his strategy real quick.

I don't understand

how this is different from the first bill.

The difference is,

Quezon was the one who brought it home.

My dear.

Good grief.

Now

we can run as president and vice.

Serging, are you still mad?

I couldn't have done this without you.

Whatever.

Not me. And I promise you,

once I'm done being president

for six years under the Commonwealth,

you'll be my successor.

Think about it,

you will be the first president

of the free Republic.

I'm not a booger

you can roll around your fingers!

Serging.

I'm serious.

If we run, only one thing

is bound to happen.

What?

For sure, we will not lose.

My dearest.

Whose grave did you snatch this from?

From Leonard's.

Bullshit!

Your daughter's work?

No, I mean the story.

It's okay, Pa!

Where's "Body and Soul"?

Up next.

Politics.

They've been in power for years,

yet they never showed true leadership.

Why don't you show everyone

how you fought for the country?

That's asking for trouble.

No.

I'm supporting Quezon's candidacy.

Isn't that awkward?

You're a journalist.

Won't there be conflict of interest?

I'll leave the reporting to my staff.

Alerta will still be neutral.

What's important is that Quezon wins.

Hey!

You cross-eyed son of a b*tch!

What are you doing here?

How is everyone?

-You know him?

-I've never seen him before.

He's a true man of the people.

There are rumors that General Aguinaldo

is considering running for president.

Any thoughts?

He's old

and dare I say,

he has regressed.

His support of Leonard Wood

was a betrayal of everything he stood for.

He should stay in retirement

along with his Veteranos,

so they can do neither good

nor bad for the country.

It's so insulting.

Even Mabini didn't stoop so low.

Who are these Veteranos anyway?

Many of them don't even know

the smell of gunpowder.

Why not take the fight to the polls?

People still remember your heroism.

You still have thousands of supporters.

You answered the motherland's call

during the revolution.

Were they really revolutionaries?

Now she needs you again.

Fuego los veteranos! Amigos de Wood!

Is it right to turn your back on her

just because you want some peace?

Fuego los veteranos! Amigos de Wood!

Aren't you a member of the Veteranos?

You can see his signature.

He is a member of the Veteranos.

-Quezon's a liar!

-Coward! Liar!

He implies that I'm a traitor,

and yet he himself praised

my patriotism and courage

against the Americans in a speech

he gave in the US.

The youth may have already forgotten us,

but the Veteranos and I fought

for the freedoms they enjoy today.

Meanwhile,

our two-faced government officials

keep preaching about independence

when in fact, they intend

to prolong our ties to America.

That's right!

I can no longer ignore

the call of my countrymen

who continue to suffer

while our leaders indulge in feasts.

I will run for the presidency

in this coming election.

-Long live Ka Miong!

-Long live!

And Raymundo Melliza

will be my vice president!

-Long live!

-Long live!

LONG LIVE QUEZON AND OSMEA

Thank you so much!

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

Let us recall the Jones Law,

it was supposed to promise us independence

within three years,

but Quezon pushed

for an extension of twenty-five years!

Do we want to be led by ghosts of the past

or do we want progress?

-Progress!

-Progress!

Out with the old, in with the new!

For progress!

-Long live Quezon!

-Long live!

Beware of Quezon, ladies.

He is a lying cad

who keeps many secrets from his poor wife.

What kind of leader--

Our vice president is falling apart.

He might not finish his term!

It might be best to invite the woman

and introduce her to the public.

Magnificent!

Where are the movies from Europe?

They were so good.

Now, it's all American.

Europe doesn't send their films here

as much anymore.

Aguinaldo went up

five points in the polls.

You still have a wide lead.

As it should be.

He doesn't have the machinery.

Go easy on the old man.

He's still my top opponent, sweetheart.

There's too much at stake.

I have an idea.

I heard you've been making

your own movies?

They're nothing. Just short, silent ones.

We have talkies now.

Why are you still doing silent films?

She's a huge fan of Murnau and Fritz Lang.

It's true.

Do you have equipment?

I rent from Seor Nepomuceno.

Did you see

the new Philippine Films studio?

The one by Harris and Tait?

Only from the outside.

It looks amazing. All new equipment.

I'm sure our country will soon be

the center of moviemaking in Asia.

I really hope so.

And you are right in the middle of that.

Show me your work.

Sure!

This is still a work in progress.

Now I get the Murnau influence.

Nice shot.

Who is he? The one in white.

He's charming.

He could play you in a movie.

Nadia, make short movies about my life.

All of my major achievements

since I became a lawyer up to the present.

We'll use them for the campaign.

I'll give you funds, don't worry.

I'll see if I can rent

Don Jose's equipment again.

I got you.

I'll talk to Harris and Tait.

You'll be using their equipment.

Only the best for my goddaughter.

We'll release them before the elections.

They're gonna be seen by everyone.

I want it to be like a Hollywood movie.

Make me look like Errol Flynn.

Manuel Quezon, the hero.

The answer to the country's woes!

Exactly!

Ask your papa everything

you need to know about me.

We've been through a lot.

Unfortunately.

What do you think?

You can work together on the script.

Yes, of course. Absolutely!

I have the one

where he was locked up in Intramuros,

also his victory as Governor of Tayabas.

Include the one where he prosecuted

that American landgrabber.

Francis Berry.

I got the Jones Law

and his speech against Wood.

All puff pieces for Quezon, huh?

All flattery.

It's Nadia's job.

And it's all paid.

This is a good opportunity

to examine Quezon as a politician.

That's not her job.

If she uses the money to criticize Quezon,

she'll be acting in bad faith.

Quezon has acted in bad faith many times.

That's not the point.

What if you make two versions?

One where he's the hero

And the other?

A more honest one. We're already here.

You know the true story

behind his victory as governor.

You know why he secured

the Tydings-McDuffie Act

even if there's already an earlier bill.

You also know about Ana Ricardo.

Where are we going to show these?

I don't know.

But think about it.

When he finally discards you,

at least you have ammunition.

What's ammunition if I don't have a g*n?

How come Quezon has funds

for elaborate campaigns in the papers,

on the radio, and even in the movies?

How does he get to acquire property

amounting to one million pesos

while a senator's salary is only--

Can he blame me

if I'm also a good businessman?

Like you, right?

Go join your friends.

There's a magician outside.

Go ahead!

Thank you for your gift to my son.

But

is this really the value you place

on Nonong's future?

He's your godson.

Let me get that.

Friendship is priceless.

Lay down the turn, Enteng.

It's not your turn.

Whatever. Fold. Go on without me.

Excuse me, my friend.

All Aguinaldo does is moral assassination.

He's sh**ting blanks.

Susana?

Go to the bank right away.

Find out how much is left in my account.

What if you shatter his image as a hero

so he'll be out of the race for good?

How will he do that?

Being a hero is all about perception.

You! Put it over here.

Here.

There you go.

Careful.

Good day.

Can I have some water?

You traveled far?

Pretty much.

Thank you.

Have we met before?

You don't remember me?

In Cabanatuan.

It's been three decades.

Joven, put that aside.

My friend here has a wild story.

Was that really you?

The first to strike General Luna?

To his face.

Aguinaldo ordered us

to k*ll Luna in Cabanatuan.

What's your proof?

Aguinaldo sent out four telegrams

to make sure Luna will go to Cabanatuan.

He keeps denying it.

Here's one.

My conscience

wouldn't let me rest for years.

But when I heard Aguinaldo

was running for president,

I just couldn't stay quiet.

The country needs to know

that Aguinaldo destroyed the revolution.

Newspaper! Newspaper!

span style="s0"Let us remember the words

of Mabini regarding Aguinaldo./span

"The revolution failed

because it was badly led."

I've said this before

and I will say it again.

I did not give out orders

to assassinate General Luna.

Why would I have my best general k*lled?

What would be the point?

"Instead of supporting

those who truly served the nation,

he made them useless."

I only asked that he be closely monitored

should he do anything

against the revolutionary government.

We honor the true heroes of the Revolution

like Apolinario Mabini.

Only a fool would believe Mabini.

General Antonio Luna.

You should publish your own book

to debunk his accusations.

And most of all, on this day,

the true first president

of the First Republic,

Andres Bonifacio!

You know a good place for these posters?

Where?

In Kawit.

You've lost your mind.

Let's go.

How was I supposed to know

Aguinaldo was home?

They told me he was campaigning in Tarlac.

Did you see his face?

Hey!

You two!

Post one more over here.

Post the rest there.

Let's hand these out!

Vote for Quezon in the election!

Why should we?

We lost our jobs because of him.

Quezon is on the side

of the working class.

On our side?

He closed down Aguinaldo's farm.

We worked there!

On our side

He cannot give away what he doesn't own.

This land belongs to the government.

But you can buy it back at auction.

It's currently priced at

200,000 pesos.

What did I tell you?

He's tactless and rude.

What's next, your pension?

You also need to play dirty.

And stoop to his level?

There's no other game in this election.

Let's use the woman.

Not until we have documents to prove

Quezon is guilty of bigamy.

We won't.

What woman?

Those poor farmers.

Not only that,

but Quezon also gave his word

that the farm belonged to Aguinaldo.

For him to take it back now

I'll still vote for Quezon.

He's a sure win.

And he's good for my business.

Even the educated elites

are saying to vote for him.

Education has little to do with

what's right in this case.

It doesn't matter

how many books you've read,

or how many professors

have widened your knowledge,

you'll always have a good chance

of being duped.

But how about me?

Nobody widened my

We all think we're on the right side.

A hustler only needs to tell you

what you already believe in,

then you're hooked!

But still.

Why did Quezon

have to do that to Aguinaldo?

He already has a wide lead.

Maybe it's not enough that he wins.

Maybe it's about proving what you can do

with enough power.

Power.

It would be nice if someone really knew

how to use that to change things, right?

How about you, Nadia?

You want to change the world?

That's a young person's game, right?

Uncle Miguel said the world

changes us faster than we can change it.

What's with your family?

I'm going home.

Give me that corn.

Goodbye.

Good morning, sir!

Good morning to you too!

General.

Senator Quezon.

Where's your cassock?

It's not really appropriate

for the occasion.

Joven.

Good day, friends and people of Bataan.

There was a terrible mix-up

with the scheduled dates

of our candidates,

and as you can see,

they're all here.

To our honorable candidates, my apologies.

On the other hand, this should be fun.

Am I right?

Well then, let's not wait any longer.

From the Nacionalista Party,

Senator Manuel Quezon

and his running mate,

Senator Sergio Osmea!

At last, they've patched things up.

And to the right is

the honorable General Emilio Aguinaldo

and his running mate, Raymundo Melliza,

of the National Socialist Party!

If General Aguinaldo wins,

he'll not only become

the first president of the Philippines,

but the second as well.

And last but not the least,

we have Bishop Gregorio Aglipay

and his running mate, Norberto Nabong,

of the Communist Party of the Philippines!

I heard that, if Bishop Aglipay wins,

he'll canonize Jose Rizal into sainthood.

Is that true, Bishop?

All in good fun, dear friends.

Well then!

To make things fair,

all three have drawn lots

on the order of speeches.

First on stage is Bishop Gregorio Aglipay!

Thank you so much, Governor.

I want to remind everyone

that I resigned

from the Catholic Church long ago

due to the oppression we all know too well

from the Spaniards and the friars.

These people used the doctrines of Christ

to make themselves rich.

The current administration

has been too negligent.

The woman is here.

I asked her to come,

-just in--

-I told you no.

We don't have proof that they're married.

Their vows were sealed

by the revolutionary government.

That's enough.

And she lives in this town,

so we might as well.

The world of the greedy will soon crumble.

And I will make sure of it.

These brave words I will never take back.

I am deeply grateful to you all.

And now, let us hear from

none other than our beloved

Senator Manuel Luis Quezon!

Before anything else,

I would just like to say that if I win,

my fellow candidates are still welcome

to have lunch with me

in Malacaan anytime.

Just inform Nieto.

This campaign has been a noisy

and messy affair, I must say.

But it's all just politics.

Nothing personal.

However, I'd like to remind everyone

how crucial this election is.

Beware of people

who want to return to power

after having demonstrably failed before.

Beware of tyrants who were given

an army, a government,

and the full cooperation of

an entire nation, then wasted all of it.

And who instead

surrendered.

Democracy

is too valuable to be wasted

in the hands of a dictator.

So my fellow countrymen,

who will you choose?

I told you no--

A leader who promised us independence,

but led us to defeat,

or a leader who brought democracy

to every Filipino?

-Democracy!

-Democracy!

Democracy!

-Democracy!

-Democracy!

One more time! Democracy!

-Democracy!

-Democracy!

Not disaster!

Thank you so much, everyone.

What happened?

They revoked my pension.

I knew it.

He talks as if he only

has one opponent in this election.

You want us to be a target too?

And last but not the least,

General Emilio Aguinaldo!

Friends,

I would like to correct

the baseless accusations

hurled against me today.

I was very happy

living my life in quiet retirement

if it were not for the urging

of thousands of Filipinos

to have me run for office.

I do this out of a sense of duty,

not lust for power.

Even during the Revolution,

I never wanted to be the president.

I sent out flyers saying why

I was not qualified to be the president,

but Apolinario Mabini himself

had those flyers destroyed

and convinced me to run.

The accusation that I'm only running

to regain power is a lie.

Since the enactment of the Jones Law,

all that we've seen is a government

preoccupied with political games

while thousands of our countrymen suffer.

Our officials remained silent

and submissive

to the whims of their masters.

And in exchange for what?

Their fat-laden pensions and pork barrel.

Even here in Bagac,

there are people who suffered

because of the whims

of our government officials.

They're still letting people in.

Some of these people were abandoned

despite being promised love and support.

Who's she supposed to be?

Quezon's first wife.

Ana Ricardo.

A heartless man

who treats others like toys,

treats the leadership of a nation

the same way!

Who then is the greedy one?

Is this the leader we want

for our country?

I left her.

I left her in the jungle,

and I don't regret it one bit.

Let go of me!

Thus, my friends,

I would like to call

Son of a b*tch.

I would like to call on stage

Don't you dare.

I would like to call on stage

Governor Aquino to continue the program.

Thank you very much, my countrymen.

Thank you for coming.

Give her something to eat.

Should I take her home afterwards?

Let me talk to her.

Let's give it time.

I'm sure the General

will still make use of her.

How's retirement?

Tiring. I'm busy with lots of things.

Like what?

I followed Aguinaldo's campaign.

I went to almost all of the rallies

in Manila and nearby towns.

Laguna, Cavite, Bulacan.

I couldn't go any further.

It's literally a pain in the a*s.

You're voting for him?

I'm not voting at all. I just wanted

to see what it was like on the other side.

Hon.

Manolo called. Here's the address

for tomorrow's rally in Laguna.

Going to lecture me again

about supporting Quezon?

No.

I've said everything I needed to say.

But

maybe you haven't seen

everything you need to see.

Here.

Just go.

Observe.

Hold on.

Seor Hernando!

Good afternoon, sir.

We weren't expecting your company.

Thank you for coming.

Come with me.

Are the other Veteranos coming?

Yes, sir.

Miong.

We have a guest.

Good morning, sir.

Joven Hernando.

Thank you for joining us.

You're only here to observe, aren't you?

I don't think you'll write

about us in your paper.

I'm not here as a journalist.

I understand.

It's too bad because

this is an important day for us.

This is where the General was proclaimed

as the President of the First Republic.

He celebrates this every year.

-Long live Quezon!

-Long live democracy!

What's going on?

I heard there are some

Quezon supporters in this town.

What are they doing?

All together!

Long live Quezon!

Long live democracy!

Long live independence!

-Long live!

-Long live!

-Long live!

-Long live!

ANDRES IS THE FIRST PRESIDENOF THE PHILIPPINES

CONDEMN THE k*ller OF LUNA AND BONIFACIO

TRAITOR!

Ungrateful scoundrels!

He fought for you.

He fought for all of you!

I don't want to set foot here ever again.

You!

What are you doing here?

Hey!

I know him.

I interviewed him before.

That son of a b*tch?

Do you know he's Quezon's

sergeant-at-arms in the Senate?

Pedro Janolino.

I need to talk to him.

What about?

Pedro Janolino.

Sir, you can see the Senator

is preoccupied.

It's an important meeting.

He's just playing poker.

Doesn't mean the meeting's not important.

For decades,

span style="s0"we have witnessed the rise

of the great Manuel Luis Quezon/span

to the peak of political power.

Despite his failing health,

span style="s0"he emerged as the most obvious choice

for President of the Commonwealth./span

But at what cost?

span style="s0"Instead of readying the country

for independence/span

by strengthening its foundations,

span style="s0"Quezon played too many political games

for his own survival,/span

span style="s0"and in the process, planted the seeds

of patronage politics/span

Over here is sugar

or the spoils system.

Once this has been established,

span style="s0"this system may be impossible

to weed out in a culture/span

span style="s0"that is so enamored

with debts of gratitude./span

Quezon may not have invented the game,

span style="s0"but he sure played it

to the best of his abilities./span

"Body and Soul"?

Up next.

span style="s0"We fought so much

for this thing called independence,/span

span style="s0"but was it really

within reach from the start?/span

span style="s0"Or was it just games

between the conquerors and the conquered,/span

span style="s0"and independence

was just another card in the deck?/span

Looks like you've been blessed.

The voters came out of nowhere.

Thank God.

span style="s0"General Luna once said, "A person

who has feelings is not a sl*ve."/span

span style="s0"But after spending months

with General Goyo,/span

I've learned it's not that simple.

span style="s0"If these feelings cause us

to fall for lies and self-deception,/span

we become sl*ves to our hearts.

Hey!

Enough of that.

I'll introduce you to some businessmen.

span style="s0"How do we free ourselves

from this kind of sl*very?/span

What did we really fight for?

He's going to destroy you.

Apologies, Seor Hernando.

Alerta is temporarily closed

while new management

restructures the company.

Godfather!

Astounding.

Godfather.

It's okay, dear.

I'm sure somebody put you up to it.

No.

This was my idea.

I'm responsible for all of it.

The election is over anyway.

Those films are garbage now.

You admit your heroism is garbage?

You know I've done

so much for this country.

And I have more to accomplish.

If you knew what Nadia was really doing,

you would've stopped her.

Well, of course!

We're in the middle of a campaign.

So you admit to closing down Alerta

and planting Pedro Janolino.

Joven, you son of a b*tch.

So this is what it's all about.

Revenge. You hypocrite.

Who's being vengeful here?

Joven, we are the same.

You know everything I've done,

and yet you said nothing.

That's because I provided.

I got you work.

I introduced you to editors,

publishers, and investors.

I let you into my circle

and you benefitted from it greatly.

I have a family to support.

Exactly!

So don't you go acting all high and mighty

with your principles

because at the end of the day,

it's still about you

and your loved ones living comfortably.

You're right.

We are the same.

I am the hypocrite.

But I'm not playing this game anymore.

Because you will never stop.

You will keep wanting power

until the day you die.

Serging will take over after my term.

Who's going to believe you?

You should be ashamed!

Of what?

You're an elected public servant.

You're not a king!

Are you sure?

I'm kidding, my friend.

Joven Hernando.

You are wasting Nadia's talent

and the budget for those films

no one will ever see.

It's your money anyway.

Or is it?

Amazing!

Amazing!

Here.

One peso for you.

You're definitely going to need it.

My dear, I always win.

I hope we survive this w*r

and witness the birth of the New Republic.

Look at that man.

Why did God give him good health

while I am here gasping for my life?

I fought for everyone!

I did everything for this country!

Hush now, sweetheart.

That's enough. You are sick.