During a recent special screening of the biopic “Quezon,” the grandson of former President Manuel L. Quezon, Ricky Quezon‑Avanceña, voiced a sharp and emotional criticism of the film’s director Jerrold Tarog and lead actor Jericho Rosales for what he perceived as a disrespectful portrayal of his grandfather.
At a talk-back session after the screening in Makati City, Avanceña took the microphone and asked Tarog directly: “Was this film a political satire or not?” According to reports, Tarog responded affirmatively that yes, the film included satirical elements.
Avanceña reacted sharply, exclaiming: “So it’s just a joke? It’s satire?”
He accused the production of turning his grandfather’s memory into entertainment for profit: “Because you want to make money and become famous, you desecrated the memory of a family that sacrificed their lives,” he said.
Avanceña also publicly declared: “He was a President, and the best ever, most incorruptible.”
While Avanceña clarified that he was not calling for a boycott of the film — encouraging people to watch it and then join him in defending his grandfather’s reputation online — he made clear he strongly disapproved of how the film presented the late leader.
In response, production company TBA Studios issued a statement acknowledging Avanceña’s feelings and affirming that the film is “grounded in verified historical accounts … While the film includes fictional elements for thematic purposes…”