MANILA, Philippines — TBA Studios on Friday has addressed the confrontation that erupted during a post-screening discussion of its latest historical film Quezon, where Enrique “Ricky” Quezon Avancena, a grandson of former President Manuel Quezon, expressed outrage over the film’s portrayal of his grandfather.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the production company said it respects Avancena’s sentiments but maintained that the film was created with historical accuracy and research-based storytelling.
“At the recent talkback session for the film, one of President Manuel L. Quezon’s descendants expressed his views on the movie. While we respect and understand his sentiments, 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 said.
“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. To support further learning, the production has released a Study Guide and Companion Book with a comprehensive list of the books and references used in the film’s research,” it added.
The studio said it welcomes discussion surrounding the film, emphasizing that “#QUEZON can continue to inspire meaningful dialogue, reflection, and a deeper appreciation of our nation’s past.”
During a Q&A session following the film’s screening in Makati City on Thursday, Avancena confronted director Jerrold Tarog and lead actor Jericho Rosales over what he believed to be a satirical depiction of his grandfather.
In a video that has since gone viral, Avancena can be seen asking Tarog whether the film was meant as political satire. Tarog replied yes, explaining that while the topic was serious, he would “leave it to the audience to decide if it’s something that they would want to process.”
Avancena, visibly upset, accused the filmmakers of mocking Quezon’s legacy.
“So you admit, this is a satire? So ‘wag natin papaniwalaan, joke pala ito. It’s a joke. It is satire (So we shouldn’t believe it then — it’s just a joke. It’s a joke. It is satire),” he said.
Rosales stood up and tried to defuse the situation, saying, “With all due respect, sir, I understand your feelings. But this is a Q&A, sir, a Q&A for our film.”
Avancena refused to back down, replying, “Jericho, ‘wag mo ‘kong ganyanin ah. Patapusin mo ‘ko, one minute, I’m done (Don’t treat me like that. Let me finish — one minute, I’m done).”
He went on to accuse the production of commercializing history and disrespecting the Quezon family.
“What you have opened, Mr. Tarog, is a Pandora’s box. Hindi niyo alam ang ginawa niyo. Dahil kayo, gusto niyo kumita ng pera, gusto niyo sumikat, sinalaula ninyo ang alaala ng isang pamilyang nagbuwis ng buhay (What you have opened, Mr. Tarog, is a Pandora’s box. You don’t know what you’ve done. Because you wanted to make money, you wanted to be famous, you desecrated the memory of a family that sacrificed their lives),” he said.
“China-channel ko ngayon ang aking lolo sa pagsabi ko sa inyo nito. P-nyeta kayo, mga p-tangina niyo. Mga kupal kayo! (I’m channeling my grandfather as I say this to you. Damn you, you sons of b****es! You jerks!”),” he shouted and threw his microphone before leaving the venue.
Hours after the incident, Avancena posted on Facebook recounting the confrontation and reiterating his anger toward the filmmakers.
“So I went to see Quezon the movie for the 3rd time in a week. This time I went to engage the makers in a Q and A,” he wrote.
“F***ing Jericho Rosales tried to block me, in effect canceling a Quezon, from a Quezon movie which sullied his reputation. My only question was to the Director Jerrold Tarugo. ‘Was this film political satire or not?’ He said yes but tried to wiggle away from the question,” he said.
Avancena accused the filmmakers of “peddling lies and filth” and said they lacked the “artistic and moral integrity to stand by their work.”
“They peddle lies and filth but do not have the artistic and moral integrity to stand by their work, claiming it was political satire, which roughly translates into ‘joke lang,’” he said
He also urged the public to watch the film, but to “join me in a social media defense, mga Quezon followers.”
“Nobody said he was a hero, so labas sya sa kabaduyan ng (so he should not be included in the tackiness of the) ‘Bayaniverse.’ He was a President, and the best ever most incorruptible,” Avancena wrote.
“Quezon” is the third and final installment in TBA Studios’ “Bayaniverse” trilogy, following “Heneral Luna” (2015) and “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” (2018). The film chronicles the life of Manuel L. Quezon, the first President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944, and his political battles, including his campaign against revolutionary general Emilio Aguinaldo.