Heartthrob
Aljur Abrenica and seasoned filmmaker Gil Portes team up for the first
time in “Ang Hapis at Hinagpis ni Hermano Puli” (“The Agony and the Fury
of Hermano Puli”), a historical drama about Apolinario de la Cruz who
founded the Cofradia de San Jose religious brotherhood in Tayabas (now
Quezon) in 1831.
Because
of Puli’s quest for religious freedom, he was pronounced a heretic and
sentenced to death by the Spanish colonial government. Puli’s fiery love
for the Filipino culture, people and nation is highlighted in this new
film which opens in theaters nationwide on September 21.
Written
by Enrique Ramos and produced by T-Rex Productions, “… Hermano Puli”
was the closing film of the 2016 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.
Since that screening, it has gained a lot of interest and feedback.
Manila Bulletin’s NR Ramos described the movie as “entertaining and
engrossing.”
Veteran writer Sylvia Mayuga was impressed by Aljur’s performance, saying, “The casting of young Aljur Abrenica as Manong Puli was felicitous. His
perfectly controlled portrayal of Puli’s divine calling honors the
price paid for an exalted mission. Puli’s execution to authentic
chanting of the Tagalog pasyon, the soul of folk Christianity’s fervor
alive and well in Tayabas, is a deeply moving master’s touch.”
Clips
of the film have been presented at school tours. The Hermano Puli
“Bayani Ba ‘To?” school has visited Baguio, Cabanatuan, Baliwag,
Malolos, Metro Manila, Laguna, Quezon, Batangas, Naga, Cebu, Iloilo,
Bacolod and Davao. The response from students and teachers has been
almost phenomenal. The trailer posted on the movie’s Facebook page has
garnered 3.5 million-plus views and received 12,312-plus shares. The
theme song “Alamat” performed by the band Let Gravity is also gaining
airplay on radio.
Another
feather on Puli’s cap is its inclusion in the short list of nine
Filipino films being considered by the Film Academy of the Philippines
(FAP) as the country’s entry to the Oscars.
To
Direk Gil, who marked his 71st birthday on September 13, all this is a
dream come true. “’Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli’ is one of the
projects in my bucket list. I am happy to have completed it. What makes
me happier now is the positive reaction and enthusiastic interest in
‘Puli.’”
Aljur
says, “Ginawa namin ang pelikula kasi hindi kilala si Puli sa labas ng
Quezon at parang nakalimutan na siya sa kasaysayan. Kaya nakakataba ng
puso na maraming excited na makilala si Hermano Puli at mangahas na
umibig sa Diyos at sa bayan na katulad ng ginawa niya.”
Aside from Aljur, “Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli” stars Louise
Delos Reyes, Enzo Pineda, Menggie Cubarrubias, Ross Pesigan, Acrchie
Adamos, Markki Stroem, Simon Ibarra, Vin Abrenica, Allen Abrenica, Sue
Prado, Kiko Matos, Stella Canete, Diva Montelaba, Abel Estanislao, Alvin
Fortuna. The movie will have a
premiere on September 19 at SM Megamall. Check out Hermano Puli’s movie
page on Facebook to find out how you can win free tickets to the
premiere.
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