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Buboy Montano, RL honor Marilou Diaz-Abaya at remastered ‘Jose Rizal’
By Cynthia Montojo
“Naiiyak pa rin ako…sobrang ganda ng pagkakasulat…napaka-genius ng pag-direct…natutuwa ako because of this newly restored version, nalulungkot lang na wala si Direk Marilou to witness it,” actor Cesar Montano and screenwriter Ricky Lee paid tribute to the late director and National Artist Marilou Diaz-Abaya after remastered version of her 1998 film “Jose Rizal” was screened.
Remastered “Jose Rizal,” screened in Manila Metropolitan Theater last August 7, was part of 20th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.
Film stars Buboy as Rizal during his final days before his 1896 execution, flashing back to key moments in his life as author.
It won 17 of its 18 nominations at 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival, and it remains biggest haul by any entry in festival’s history.
Ahead of screening, both Montano and Lee, who co-wrote movie with Jun Robles Lana and Peter Ong Lim, spoke about their journeys leading to the film.
Lee, also National Artist, said Diaz-Abaya confided to him that she wanted to create “trilogy about men.” He and the late director previously worked on a “trilogy about women” 1980’s “Brutal,” 1982’s “Moral” and 1983’s “Karnal.”
This led late director to helm “Jose Rizal,” 1999’s “Muro-Ami” and 2001’s “Bagong Buwan,” coincidentally all stars Cesar.
Cesar acknowledged at that time he was perceived as action star, but he could not pass up chance to work with Abaya. He had to do the film, even if it meant extensive learning of Spanish and reading numerous history and European books.
Lee shared pre-production and shooting on “Jose Rizal” took three months each, while Cesar recalled staying at Abaya’s house for hours to read up material Abaya required of him.
Both lamented that Abaya, who passed away in 2012 from breast cancer, could not be around to see remastered film. Her family was represented at the screening by her son Marc, who thanked GMA Films for completing restoration process.
After screening, Cesar admitted to members of media, he was emotional seeing the film again, this time remastered.
Cesar then called on the new generation of Filipinos to watch “Jose Rizal,” adding “must-watch film” gave him different perspective on life as actor and Filipino.
Lee similarly admitted crying to inspiring story of Rizal, “Nakakapag-palakas ng puso na makakita ng isang gaya ni Jose Rizal mag-mahal sa bayan, magulang, pamilya, kababayan, at sa sining.”
The National Artist also lamented that older Filipino movies could not be restored like “Jose Rizal.” He cited 1981’s “Salome,” which he wrote.
Restored “Jose Rizal” will be part of upcoming 27th edition of Fiesta in America in the United States later this month
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