TBA Studios announces ‘Quezon’ film release date

TBA Studios has officially announced the Philippine release date for "Quezon," the highly anticipated historical biopic. Directed by Jerrold Tarog, with Jericho Rosales stepping into the role of Commonwealth president Manuel L. Quezon, the film is set to premiere in local theaters on Wednesday, October 15.

This movie marks the grand finale of Tarog's interconnected historical saga, known as the "Bayaniverse." Following the critically acclaimed "Heneral Luna" (2015) and its sequel "Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral" (2018), "Quezon" promises to complete the trilogy by exploring the life of the president during the Commonwealth period.

A unique aspect of the "Bayaniverse" is its symbolic tie to the Philippine flag. "Heneral Luna" represents the color yellow, "Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral" is associated with blue, and "Quezon" completes the spectrum with red. This thematic connection delves into different facets of Filipino heroism and nationalism presented throughout the films.

The film boasts a formidable cast alongside Jericho Rosales. Reprising roles from previous installments are Mon Confiado as Emilio Aguinaldo and Benjamin Alves as the young Quezon, with Cris Villanueva playing the adult Joven Hernando. The lineup also includes Romnick Sarmiento as Vice President Sergio Osmeña, Karylle as Aurora Quezon, JC Santos as Manuel Roxas, and Jake Macapagal as Manuel Nieto. Notably, "Game of Thrones" star Iain Glen joins the ensemble as Leonard Wood, adding an international presence.

Jericho Rosales shared insights into his preparation for the titular role, highlighting the film's approach to depicting the historical figure. He mentioned that the script portrays Quezon "as a person," moving beyond a simple heroic narrative. Rosales found this complexity compelling, acknowledging that while it added pressure, it also brought excitement to the project.

After its debut in the Philippines this October, an international release for "Quezon" is also expected, allowing a wider audience to witness this concluding chapter of the "Bayaniverse" trilogy.