Pinky Amador says ‘Quezon’ creatives ‘as cunning as the anti-hero they produced’

PINKY Amador, a descendant of the late former President Manuel L. Quezon, voiced out her dismay at the creatives of the “Quezon” biopic and argued that they “[weaponized] history according to [their] narrative for sales.”

Following the recent outburst of her uncle Ricky Avanceña, the actress made her similar sentiment known through her Instagram page on Monday, Oct. 27.

“[Manuel L. Quezon] Tinokhang sa Pelikula: History Weaponized,” she began her post.

Amador first acknowledged the good elements of the historical film such as the editing, pacing, use of devices and performances of the cast.

“My theory is that because this is the third installment of their so-called Bayaniverse, naturally, they wanted to go out with a bang. Make an even bigger, bolder statement, get more traction which equals to sales,” she said. “How to do that? Sensationalism. Shock value. Alternative treatment.’”

Amador described the movie as a “mammoth project” that has the “machinery to debunk any argument made against the film.”

“When you get DepEd to endorse this as an ‘educational’ film, the perception is that it will be (at the very least) slightly historical. When you add layers of ‘fiction’ and ‘satire’ then purposefully BLUR those lines with your creative treatment, then you are weaponizing history according to your narrative for sales,” she argued.

“I also get that this treatment can encourage deeper conversation and debate. But for whom? Only the learned and intellectuals?” she added. “We are in an educational crisis… So when DepEd-endorsed films become the only education for millions, showing only one side isn’t just poor storytelling — it’s miseducation.”

Amador then stressed that this matter is personal for her as she witnessed how her grandmother Maria Zeneida “Nini” Angara Quezon Avanceña, the late president’s daughter, fought against tyranny during the Marcos regime.

“If she [Nini] were still with us, would the producers have the gall to show this to her? It would certainly have sent her to her death. I wonder would they be prepared to have blood on their hands of a life-long human rights advocate?” she wrote.

Amador further underscored, “Artistic freedom does not excuse you from artistic accountability.”

She also pointed out how the film should have shown the struggle, emotional and psychological crisis and torment the late president had, and not just him as a “cunning politician.”

“Sana lang hindi niyo rin maranasan na ang ninuno niyo o sinumang nagbigay ng inspirasyon sa inyo ay siraan or worse, kayo na mismo (pag matagal nang patay) ay gawan ng ganitong demolition job in the name of artistry,” she stated.

“I surmise that the creatives of this film are just as cunning, machiavellian and manipulative as the anti-hero they produced,” she added.

“Quezon,” helmed by Jerrold Tarog and headlined by Jericho Rosales, premiered in local theaters last Oct. 15. (Anne Pasajol © Philippine Daily Inquirer)