In Hollywood, the lives, trials and tribulation of historical and political figures are celebrated through films.
Whether they are popcorn and soda guzzling fares such as Michael Douglas in American President, Bill Pullman in Independence Day or Harrison Ford in Air Force One, without a doubt, these titles earned mammoth domestic and global box office grosses.
American dramas had their fair share of presidential shows, The West Wing with Martin Sheen, Commander In Chief with Geena Davis and Scandal with Kerry Washington, are premium examples.
Oscar and Golden Globe trophies for best actor or best actress were awarded to Daniel Day Lewis as Lincoln, Gary Oldman as Sir Winston Churchill in The Darkest Hour, Meryl Streep as Margaret Tatcher in The Iron Lady. And yes, even Forest Whitaker, who gave life to Ugandan dictator Idi Amin for the film in The Last King of Scotland, brought home the golden trophy.
Thus, I cannot help but wonder, will all of us ever see the day, when our Philippine presidents, their biopic given a green light in Hollywood or will there be a Filipino film company ambitious and brave enough to bankroll on such a Herculean undertaking?
Some presidential figures and situations I’d love to watch as a motion picture, topping my wish list is about President Ramon Magsaysay – his last business meetings, family time and a little love story backgrounder, the final twenty-four hours before the fatal plane crash in 1957. The story may also include the national mourning that followed and how it scarred the hearts and lives of the Filipinos who witnessed it that time and their recollection of what transpired will surely be a tearjerker.
Before, he became a “hero” and she the first female President, the “normal lives” of the Aquinos, Benigno and Corazon and their ‘‘happy” and “peaceful” years in Boston.
The former parents of the Aquinos are being talked about again because of the mistress of doom and gloom, Mocha Uson. Kris Aquino said a mouthful on a Facebook Live and IG story post addressed to the assistant secretary. We can expect the unexpected soon. Will it be a real debate or hair pulling and catfight with television coverage?
Moving on, yes, we already have a musical about her, even a documentary that carried her name and showed her being the Evita Peron of Southeast Asia. Wouldn’t it be bombastic if the book, Primitivo Mijares’ The Conjugal Dictatorship spring to life and become the be all and end all film about Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos?
The Marcoses are still in power and even film master Mike De Leon warns in a Facebook posting, “Marcos Jr. is a heartbeat away from the presidency, Imee will advise Bongbong how to do away with Duterte once they don’t need him anymore, and Imelda, although ugly and fat now…is still alive.”
How about the 16th Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, the 16 million people who made him victorious, will they be thrilled to view a movie about him as the bida? Or will we see him as a kontrabida?
There is only one star that can portray him, the comedian Jose Manalo of Eat Bulaga. And, I am certain he will mind the fact that a comedian will give him life in a future film. Most of his antics, foul mouth and language, temper and executive decisions, to mention a few, do not make us laugh.
Well, let us just allow history to roll, complete the cycle and be his judge and executioner.
Anyone out there dreaming of making our Presidents’ lives movies? Drama or comedy, your pick.