John Arcilla Backs Family in Calling Out “Quezon” Movie
JOHN ARCILLA – The veteran actor has shown his full support for his cousin, Ricky Avanceña, after the latter spoke out against the new historical movie Quezon.
Ricky, the grandson of former President Manuel L. Quezon, went viral after sharing his disappointment during a film screening and later on social media. He said the movie did not properly honor his grandfather’s legacy and called on the public to help protect the late president’s image.
Arcilla, who became well-known for playing General Antonio Luna in Heneral Luna, agreed with his cousin’s statements. He said the filmmakers should have talked to the Quezon family before making the movie, explaining that their family is still alive and should have been consulted. He compared it to the case of national hero Juan Luna, saying that no one has made a movie about Luna because his wife’s family does not want others to tell the story from a different point of view. Arcilla clarified that he has no personal anger toward the filmmakers but believes that the Quezon family has the right to ask questions about how the film was made.
He also mentioned that while the film tried to be satirical, its message felt preachy and too direct, which, for him, weakened the image of Quezon’s character. Still, Arcilla explained that his comments were not meant to offend anyone but to remind filmmakers to handle stories about real people—especially historical ones—with care and respect.
In response, TBA Studios, the producer of Quezon, stood by the film, saying it was based on proven historical records, including President Quezon’s autobiography and other trusted references. The studio said their goal was to share an important part of Philippine history. The movie Quezon is currently being shown in over 400 cinemas across the country.
John Arcilla, an award-winning Filipino actor and environmental advocate, is admired for his wide range of performances. He gained international recognition after winning the Best Actor Award at the 78th Venice Film Festival for his role in On the Job: The Missing 8.