Title: EL PRESIDENTE

Summary:
Making a historical film is always a tough endeavour. What makes it even more challenging is its subject
happens to be a controversial figure in history. And one of these is the El Presidente which was became
one of the entries in the Metro Manila Film Festival 2012 directed by Mark Meily. He crafts a tale
centering about Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the First Philippine Republic. This general,
politician, and revolutionary leader lived a long, grim, and gainful life from the time of the Philippines’
revolution against the Spanish colonial rule to the American and Japanese. “ER” Ejercito plays the lead
role with Cesar Montano as Andres Bonifacio.

The story is told in flashbacks as Emilio Aguinaldo thanks the U.S government for giving him the
opportunity to attend full restoration of Philippine Independence on July 04, 1946. The film begins with
his capture by Philippine and U.S forces under Frederick Funston’s command in 1901, then flashes back
to 1886, when an old woman gives Aguinaldo and his childhood friend Candido Tirona cryptic
prophecies. Ten years later, Aguinaldo is inducted into the Katipunan and later assumes leadership of its
Cavite chapter while becoming mayor of Cavite El Viejo. When trouble breaks out in Manila in late
August 1896, Aguinaldo tries tried to assure the Spanish provincial government of non-interference and
covertly marshals his forces despite a lack of weapons. Learning that the Spanish mostly put their forces
in Manila, Aguinaldo finally mobilizes his troops and take the command of the Katipunan forces in
Cavite. As the rebels gain ground in Cavite and several provinces, its Magdalo and Magdiwang factions
convene to elect a provisional government. Andres Bonifacio overseen the Tejeros Convention, which
elects aguinaldo as a president, Mariano Trias as vice-president, and himself as interior minister. He
storms out of the convention when Daniel Tirona objects to his election. Aguinaldo’s brother Crispulo,
informs him of his accession and convinces him to leave his troops just as he was seeking to defend
against the Spaniards at Pasong Santol. The rebels are defeated and Crispulo was killed. Meanwhile, an
embittered Bonifacio establishes his own revolutionary government and is later arrested. Aguinaldo is
concerned about Bonifacio’s actions and wanted him exiled, but the WAR Council advises his execution.
There he meets with U.S officials who approach him with offers of support and recognition of a new
Philippines Republic amidst the Spanish-American War. Aguinaldo returns to the Philippines and
formally declared independence from Spain. As the Malolos Congress convenes, Felipe Agoncillo tries to
represent the new nation at the Treaty of Paris negotiations, but gets stonewalled at every turn even as
U.S forces gradually arrive in the Philippines. The Philippine-American War breaks out in February 1899
and Antonio Luna is appointed commander of all Filipino forces. He is assassinated three months later
and the Filipino troops are gradually routed by the Americans. As a result, Aguinaldo’s forces travel all
over northern Luzon to escape the Americans. General Gregorio Del Pilar volunteers to hold them off at
Tirad Pass and buy Aguinaldo’s time.His loyal courier is later captured by the Americans while getting
some medicine for his son. Now aware of Aguinaldo’s hi deout, Funston plans his capture.
 Having been made to accept the American occupation over the Philippines, Aguinaldo lives a quiet life,
which is married by Hilaria’s who passed away in 1921. He meets and marries Felipe Agoncillo’s niece
Maria in 1930. Over the next few decades, the couple witness Philippine history unfold once more
as he is defeated in the 1935 presidential elections, Japanese occupation, and the restoration of
full independence. In 1962, an elderly Aguinaldo and his wife comfort each other over President
Diosdado Macapagal’s decree to restore the actual date of the Philippine declaration of Independence.

I. Story Originality
The magnanimous aspect of Aguinaldo’s personality is the overriding impression one gets from
the film, something that history books fail to impress upon us. In fact, it may be decades since
my last Philippine History school lesson, but I do recall that the books we’d use would often
paint rosy pictures of our struggle for independence, practically making everyone a hero.

What "El Presidente" does, to its credit, is expose the political infighting, rivalries and dissension
within the ranks that mark the reality of what would have transpired. Misconceptions are
dispelled with, and educated interpretations are made, in this film. This is especially pronounced
in the film’s treatment of the Bonifacio brothers, and Antonio Luna’s role during this era.

Impressive as well is how such luminaries of nationalism as Apolinario Mabini, Gregorio del Pilar,
Felipe Agoncillo and many others, all come to life via this film treatment.

II. Creativity

In creativity, I like the ocular effects of the film because it is simple and realistic. While
the costume and makeup seems to be good for it portrays the historical background of
our state.
III. Pacing

In pacing, the redaction from the start is rather good but I didn’t like the recating on the war
scenes, because it was either fast- forward or in slow gesture. With that in head, the fight
scene was discontented for me because the feeling of strength in a fight scene isn’t rather
felt by me

IV. Characters (portrayal)

From the casting, to the acting, to the costume, they could do more. Bayani Agbayani and Bearwin
Meily are good comedians for me. But here in this movie where it is sort of historical and more on
drama, they didn’t fit the roles and also there are some cast in which I didn’t actually like the way
they act. I’ m not also really satisfied the acting of Jorge Esregan as Emilio Aguinaldo because he
 seems to be lacking of facial expression and at some point too melodramatic. But overall the
combination of the characters did they best.

V. Cinematorgraphy

The cinematography was good in terms of portraying the proper scenes though in the fight scene,
the cinematography was quite lacking for the actors weren’t shown in many different angles.

VI. Entertainment Value

A 350-page script emerged in 1998, with the proposed film meant for the Philippines' Independence
Centennial, but no production was made. Ejercito said Meily was chosen to direct the film due to his
knowledge of Aguinaldo, experience in large productions, and personal belief in him. Meily's
appointment was made despite swearing never to helm a historical film again, after working
on Baler in 2008. Ejercito's second choice for director was Mario O'Hara; the latter died before
Ejercito made him an offer, on June 26, 2012. Ejercito ruled out picking Tikoy Aguiluz because a
falling-out between them during the editing of his last film, Manila Kingpin. Despite the existence of
the 1998 script, Meily opted to create an entirely different script instead. He wanted to hire
screenwriters at Ejercito's request, but volunteered to write it himself when no writers joined the
project. Meily claims he tried to make the film as factually accurate as possible, and he describes the
finished product as "95 percent" accurate to what really happened. Historians were on set to ensure
full accuracy. Ejercito described the film as much harder to make than Manila Kingpin because it
"deals directly with our country's history." Over 50 professional actors and actresses were cast for
the movie. He also described the "set, costumes, locations, and logistics" as "staggering by all
Philippine cinema standards." He also claimed that it was the biggest and most expensive Filipino
film ever, as the film was made on a budget of ₱130 million. Shooting took place over 43 days at
select locations in Cavite, Laguna, and Bulacan.