from left Alfred Vargas as Andres, Danielle Castaño (Oryang), Lance Raymundo (Gen Emilio Aguialdo) and Direk Mario OHara

Written and photographed

By Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

We all know Andres Bonifacio in Phil. history as courageous, plebian and most of all as a revolutionary. Few Filipinos realize that he was actually an accomplished Zarzuela actor. In the Cinemalaya film “Paglilitis Ni Andres Bonifacio” by Mario O’Hara audiences got to see the many dimensions of the national hero. His talent as orator and actor is one of the things that attracted O’Hara to the project. “Di alam ng tao na magaling siyang artista dahil magaling siya magsalita, kaya marami siyang na himok sumali sa Katipunan. (People don’t know that he was a talented actor and speaker. That was how he was able to convince people to join the Katipunan)”

Lance Raymundo, Danielle Castaño and Janvier Daily

Don’t let the title fool you (which translates to “The Trial of Andres Bonifacio”). The film is a lot more than just a staid court room drama. O’Hara was able to make use of the “Ibong Adarna” and the Zarzuela as an allegory to tell the tale of Bonifacio’s life. The result is an eloquent and original homage to our often neglected hero. The use of “Ibong Adarna” was perfect because it would have been a material that the people of that era would have been familiar with and may have used for their own Zarzuelas. O’Hara is more known as the screenwriter of “Insiang” directed by Lino Brocka, one of the greatest Filipino films of all time. Perhaps it is this background as a writer that made him pay tribute to one of the most traditional stories from Filipino Literature the “Ibong Adarna.”

Paolo O'Hara played Jose Elises w Cinemalaya5 Best Actress Ina Feleo

O’Hara also created an Ibong Adarna character played brilliantly by Malies Kanapi, who not only had to memorize the poetic dialogue but also had to shave her head. The result was an otherworldly character much like Gollum from “Lord of the Rings.” The Adarna also functioned as a narrator that is able to stop time and interact with other characters at will. Kanapi has a rich experience as a theater actress which includes the “Insiang” stage play. She also starred in several other Cinemalaya films like “Boses”, “My Fake American Accent” and “Mangatyanan.”

No less than Alfred Vargas, played Andres Bonifacio himself. If there is any knock on the casting is that he may have been too good looking to convincingly play Andres. But if Bonifacio really was an actor in Zarzuelas it is also plausible that he may have also been handsome. Vargas during the Cinemalaya awards paid tribute to O’Hara by thanking the director for the role. Vargas was presenting an award with “Colorum” co star Lou Veloso who won Cinemalaya Best Supporting Actor last year.

Vargas clarified that his film 'Colorum' w co star Lou Veloso was not a gay film

“Ang Paglilitis..” is a more human portrayal of our heroes and not just Andres but also General Miong or Emilio Aguinaldo. Pepe Diokno did not appreciate the less than heroic or brave front of Bonifacio near the end of the film. Diokno won the Lion of the Future and New Trends in Cinema awards in the Venice film fest for “Engkwentro” last year. Diokno went so far as to call it “politically or historically incorrect.” O’Hara explained that, “What he did was human instinct, when you’re in danger you’ll do anything to survive. There are comments that it took away his heroism. But if you will study the attack of (Alfred Vargas) he was still very much in character, not cowardly. He didn’t run he faced his oppressor. It’s a very human and realistic treatment of Bonifacio.”

from left Emmanuel Espejo Jr (scorer) Dante Balois (Ermitanyo), Alfred Vargas,Lance Raymundo, Danielle Castaño, Janvier Daily and Melanie Mae Entuna (Wardrobe)

General Miong or Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo played by Lance Raymundo, who is portrayed in history as the bitter rival of Andres. And yet in the film Lance played a kinder, gentler General Emilio Aguinaldo who hesitated to arrest the ‘Supremo.’ Raymundo played the insane, drug crazed brother in Vic Acedillo’s “Nerseri” from last year’s competition.

Feleos congratulate,from left: Ana Feleo, Cinemalaya Festival Director Laurice Guillen, Paolo O'Hara and Ina Feleo

Janvier Daily is the fierce Procopio, brother of Andres. The director said that he specifically looked for Daily after seeing him in the film “Troika.” The role of Procopio according to O’Hara necessitated an actor who would be able to hold his own across Vargas. And yet have that contrasting look which may be rougher and tougher than Andres. “Troika” incidentally was written by Eric Ramos who won Best Screenplay for “Two Funerals” in the same Director’s Showcase category as “Paglilitis…”

Danielle Castaño was our rep to Miss World in 08

Another casting coup by O’Hara is Danielle Castaño as Gregoria De Jesus. The role of Andres’ wife was taken by the tall beauty queen who represented the Philippines in the Miss World pageant in 2008. It was her panache during auditions that won her the part. Her character Oryang was one of the most difficult to play, having scenes where she lost her mind and is covered in mud and dirt. Oryang represents the personal life of Andres which was sacrificed in the name of the revolution.

The film shows how much our heroes sacrificed so much of themselves and their personal lives that could not be gleaned from history books. In any other country, Andres Bonifacio would have been the most revered national hero by virtue of his being the founder and creator of the KKK (Kataastaasang Kagalaggalangan Katipunan). It is the society that first espoused the concept of an independent Filipino nation, free from the shackles of Spanish rule. In the same way that George Washington in the U.S. is “The Father of Our Country.” In “Paglilitis…” we see a more complete and human portrayal of Bonifacio and how he was betrayed by those who were threatened with his leadership.

Ang Pagliltis Ni Andres Bonifacio cast and crew