Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral Promises To Be The Philippines' Biggest Cinematic Epic

Three years after the critical and box-office success of the historical film "Heneral Luna", director Jerrold Tarog returns with its much-awaited follow-up, "Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral."

Starring Paulo Avelino as the titular Gen Gregorio del Pilar, "Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral" set to be the Philippines' biggest cinematic epic to date, opens in cinemas nationwide on September 5 2018.

Set during the Filipino-American war, the film tells the story of the revolution as it marches on against the Americans after the death of Gen. Antonio Luna. The conflicted philosophies behind the heroic struggles continue and become personified in the colorful character of Gen. Gregorio "Goyo" del Pilar, one of the youngest generals of the Philippine Revolution.

Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral is a coming-of-age story of one of the most revered Filipino heroes of the late 19th century.

TBA studios' executive prodcuers Fernando Ortigas and E.A. Rocha confirm "Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral" is  a much bigger movie compared to "Heneral Luna", not only in terms of scope and production, but also in emotion.

"We expect people to get a terrific ebb and flow of emotional reactions that will deal in an indelible memory or experience," Rocha said. "The Filipino audience can expect a world standard, a world class cinema I hope they appreciate and realize that we think they deserve."

To put to life director Tarog's vision for Goyo's story to the big screen, production employed talents and a cast of over 2000 and built an entire movie set to recreate a late-1800s town in Tarlac. Overall, "Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral" was shot in 60 days in multiple locations like Tarlac, Bataan, Rizal, Batangas, and Ilocos, among others, in a span of eight months, with an extra year spent in pre-production.

When asked why the story of Gregorio del Pilar is important to be told in today's time the director has this to say:

"In many ways, 'yung kwento ni Goyo, para siyang a call to critical thinking. Kinikuwestiyon niya yung sarili niya, kinukwestiyon kung bakit ginagawa ito. And in a way, 'yun din 'yung magiging tanong ng audience kapag lumabas sila ng sinehan," Jerrold said "Ano ba talaga yung pinaglaban ni Goyo? Pag-ibig ba? Si Aguinaldo ba? O yung bayan? I think magandang pag-isipan yun nung audience, especially ng kabataan."

Aside from Paulo, "Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral" boasts of a stellar, all-star cast which includes Gwen Zamora as Remedios Nable Jose, Empress Schuck as Felicidad Aguinaldo, Carlo Aquino as Col. Vicente Enriquez, and Rafa Siguion-Reyna as Col. Julian del Pilar.

Reprising their roles from "Heneral Luna" are Mon Confiado as Pres Emilio Aguinaldo, Epy Quizon as Apolinario Mabini, Arron Villaflor as Joven Hernando, Alvin Anson as Gen, Jose Alejandrno, Art Acuña as Manuel Bernal, Ronnie Lazaro as Lt. Pantaleon Garcia, Perla Bautista as Doña Trinidad Aguinaldo, and Benjamin Alves as Lt. Manuel Quezon.

Epy Quizon plays as Apolinario Mabini

 

Aaron Villaflor plays as Joven Hernando

Gwen Zamora plays as Remedios Nables Jose

Benjamin Alves plays as Lt. Manuel Quezon

Etahan Salvador plays as Lt. McClelland

Jojit Lorenzo, Tomas Santos, Carlo Cruz, Che Ramos, Matt Evans, RK Bagatsing Karl Medina, Stephanie Sol, Miguel Faustmann, Jason Dewey, Bret Jackson, Ethan Salvador and Robert Seña round up the ensemble cast.

Before "Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral" opens in theaters on September 5, "Heneral Luna" will have a special limited theatrical release in selected cinemas starting August 29, 2018.

"Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral" is produced by TBA studios Artikulo Uno and Globe Studios.