The Battle of Balangiga is a historic event and is described as one of the bloodiest encounters during the Philippine-American War from 1899 to 1902. Today, the US considers it as their “worst single defeat” in the entire war. In 2018, history was made when the Balangiga Bells, which were taken by American soldiers in 1901, were returned to Philippine soil. The Philippines has been requesting the return of the bells as early as 1958.
Now, we’re going to see it on the big screen as a new movie about Balangiga will be filmed.
Ejay Falcon will star in Balangiga 1901, an upcoming movie about the historic event. He will play Captain Valeriano Abanador, the police chief who led villagers in a sneak attack against US soldiers.
In a press conference, Falcon said, “Sobrang excited ako, sobrang nakaka-proud kasi gagawin mo ‘yung history. Talagang makikita dito ang mga bayani natin ‘yung nangyari sa Balangiga 1901. Ito ang chance na maipakita namin ‘yung kuwento, ‘yung mga nangyari sa lahat ng mga tao, especially sa mga kababayan natin sa Eastern Samar. So ‘yun ‘yung nakaka-excite.”
[“I’m very excited. I feel proud because you’re going to do history. You will really see our heroes and what happened in Balangiga, 1901. This is the chance for us to show what happened to everyone, especially our countrymen in Eastern Samar. That’s what’s exciting.”]
In 2017, Khavn de la Cruz directed Balangiga: Howling Wilderness, which was one of the competition entries at the 5th QCinema International Film Festival. It won all four nominations, including Best Picture, Director, Actor for Justine Samson, and Supporting Actor for Pio del Rio.
Balangiga 1901 will be directed by Danny G. Marquez. There is no word when it will premiere.
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