Bonifacio: Ang unang pangulo

Andres Bonifacio was a hero of and martyr to the Filipino struggle for freedom from Spain. Founder and leader of the Katipunan, a 19th-century Filipino independence group, Bonifacio can be considered the first president of an independent Philippines.

The relatively short film biography, "Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangula," was shot in the Philippines with Filipino actors. Earnest and reverent to the subject, the film will likely appeal most to students and to those interested in Filipino history. Directed by Enzo Williams, the film begins with the brutal execution of three priests, then cuts to the present and presents three Filipino high school students, who visit the Katipunan Museum, and, with the aid of a museum curator, discover and research Bonifacio and the Katipunan. The film cuts back and forth between the present day and the 19th-century historic events, while the youths look at letters, documents, and photographs in the museum, and the curator provides background and poses questions for the students to ponder.

The subject is serious, and there are few light moments. However, the historical sequences are well staged and well acted, especially by Robin Padilla, who makes a handsome and intense Bonifacio. Director Williams provides enough combat action and moments of harsh Spanish oppression to maintain interest. However, the film, despite a world-class sheen, is perhaps too ponderous for general audiences; characters intone well formulated lines and pose in tableau, rather than come alive as flesh and blood. However, the film was obviously intended to be a history lesson and, as such, excels; "Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo" should be shown at Manila's Katipunan Museum on a continuous basis.

A sweeping chronicle of the life of Andres Bonifacio, this ambitious biopic skips any elongated childhood segment (except for a young Andres watching from a crowd the garrote deaths of the three martyr priests, Fathers Gómez, Burgos and Zamora) and presents to us, without further ado, an idealistic Filipino who came to be called the "Father of the Philippine Revolution." Born in November 1863, Bonifacio led the movement called "Katipunan" (where he was called "Supremo" or supreme leader) and also a founding member of Dr José Rizal's "La Liga Filipina," an organization calling for political reforms from the Spanish colonial regime. There may be dispute about certain statements the movie makes, but Williams doesn't care and sturdily paints a narrative arc that jumps back and forth from the 1890s to the present day, where students Daniel Padilla, Anne Curtis-Smith and RJ Padilla spend time in the Museum of Philippine Political History and discuss the life of Bonifacio -- while the observant museum curator (Eddie Garcia) listens on and gives them his two cents' worth on the hero. The movie skips the first wife (who died of leprosy) and goes straight to the well-known (second) wife, Gregoria de Jesus, 18-years-old at the time of Andres' courtship. Vina Morales gives a spirited performance as Oryang, as the movie shows Oryang ready to lay her life for country, held in check only by the worried Andres. (Later, which the movie barely tackles, Oryang would be the founder and vice-president of the women's chapter of the Katipunan). Robin Padilla, despite his habitual swagger and sometimes self-conscious mugging, tries for an earnest performance of Bonifacio, making us root for the character despite the blatant future failure (of an expected leadership) staring him in the face. Williams' movie makes no bones about who the enemies are; two, in particular. The Spanish colonizers, and a rather traitorous Emilio Aguinaldo (Jun Nayra) and his underlings (Mon Confiado, et al). The movie is engrossing, if you can overlook Padilla's shticks and swagger, but certain key roles are frustratingly brief (Joem Bascon as Emilio Jacinto, Junjun Quintana and Cholo Barretto and Procopio Bonifacio and Ciriaco Bonifacio, Ping Medina as Diwa, Isabel Oli as Nonay, Lou Veloso as Tatang), while the cameo roles are amusing (Isko Moreno as Burgos, Rommel Padilla, Daniel Padilla's father, as Gómez, Dennis Marasigan as Zamora). Richard Quan lends solid support as Plata, who falls in love with Andres' sister Nonay. Shining in his brief role as Dr José Rizal is Jericho Rosales, but this very famous hero disappears all too soon from the movie (maybe just as well, for Rizal and his life has been tackled, examined and chronicled to death, excuse the pun). Also, teen sensation Daniel Padilla, arguably one of the hottest young stars today, feels like an afterthought (as does Ms Jasmine Curtis- Smith); perhaps the planned Gregorio del Pilar biopic will give the young Padilla a better spotlight). The overall respectful tenor of this glossy biography film, scripted by Williams, Carlo Obispo and Keiko Aquino, makes it work as a political biopic. This particular biography has no happy ending, for sadly, Bonifacio was betrayed and ganged upon. Carlo Mendoza (MMFF winner) moodily photographs the film, with beautiful shots of Pagsanjan and the houses of Las Casas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan. This film also also won Best Festival Sound Engineer, Best Musical Scoring by Juan De Guzman and Best Original Theme Song by Von De Guzman (as well as the MMFF FPJ Memorial Award for Film Excellence, the Youth Choice Award and the Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award). (During the Float Parade, this film also won Best Float). Let's leave the historical quibbles and disputes to people like Ambeth Ocampo, Guillermo Gómez Rivera and other historians; just enjoy Williams and Padilla's joint effort (they plan to also make a movie about Gregorio del Pilar). Kudos, Robin and Enzo!

this movie really uncovers hidden pages of philippines history books. if you really try to read and do research it's so true that the tragic ending of bonifacio life is done by his fellow filipino leader aguinaldo the murderer of heroes like bonifacio and antonio luna. aguinaldo doesn't deserve to be in the 5 peso coin.

this is a great movie and yes it's purely documentary movie of andres bonifacio. the acting skills of robin padilla is superb. the director, the editing staffs and those who are involved to the making of this movie. i salute you all. thank you for bringing something new in the table.

TBA Studios produced a high quality film that tells our history that younger generations can understand. Although Rizal inspired peaceful way of freeing Filipinos, this hero, Andres Bonifacio paved the way to our independence.

A lot of dramatization are made but it still shows the courage and determination of Filipino ancestors to stand against colonizers. Good choice of actors and screenplay. This film should be recognized as part of the two other big films, "Heneral Luna" and "Goyo".

I hope TBA Studios will create a remake for Jose Rizal's life. Or maybe a show considering the technology available today to bring the hero's life into live action that younger generations can see.

Great Film! Should be watched again by masses.