RICKY Avanceña, a descendant of former President Manuel L. Quezon, took to social media to air his outrage over the film Quezon, accusing its creators of “sullying” the reputation of the late president.
In a Facebook post, Avanceña said he watched Quezon for the third time in a week to participate in a post-screening discussion and directly ask the filmmakers about the movie’s intent.
“So I went to see Quezon the movie for the third time in a week. This time I went to engage the makers in a Q&A,” he wrote. “My only question was to the director, Jerrold Tarog: ‘Was this film political satire or not?’”
Avanceña said Tarog replied that it was satire, but he felt the director “tried to wiggle away from the question.” “Sabi ko, ‘Satire has a definition, so you’re just joking after all?’” he added.
He then claimed that actor Jericho Rosales, who portrays Quezon in the film, interrupted him. “Jericho Rosales stood up and told me to stop talking, that other people had questions. So ayaw nila marinig ang opinyon ng isang direct descendant?” Avanceña said.
Feeling disrespected, Avanceña said he lashed out in anger. “Tang***, nilalako nila ang pambababoy sa alaala ng mga taong patay, at di nila ako hahayaan na
magpahayag ng damdamin at ipagtanggol sila? At hindi naman kung sino lang ang Lolo ko, at nagbayad naman ako ng tiket,” he wrote.
Avanceña said he ended the encounter by channeling his grandfather. “‘Sige, but allow me to channel my Lolo — puny*ta, mga k*pal kayo! P***ngina n’yo!’”
Despite the incident, Avanceña said he was not discouraging the public from watching the film, but urged viewers to be critical. “I’m not saying don’t watch the movie. Hayaan na natin kumita ’yung mga bayarang p*ta na ’yan. Watch it, and then join me in a social media defense, mga Quezon followers,” he said.
He added that Quezon’s image as a historical figure should be treated with respect. “Nobody said he was a hero… He was a President, and the best ever most incorruptible,” Avanceña wrote.
