‘Heneral Luna’ was fire and ‘Goyo’ is water, says director Jerrold Tarog

"Heneral Luna" is fire and anger while "Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral" is water and introspection.

This is how director Jerrold Tarog described the first two films of his trilogy on Philippine history, the second of which is to premiere next month.

"Heneral Luna is all fire and anger, and then pagdating ng kay Goyo, introspection. Kung baga si Luna apoy, si Goyo, para siyang tubig," Tarog said during the press launch of "Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral" in Novotel, Cubao City on Thursday.

Happening now: Jerrold Tarog’s Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral press launch pic.twitter.com/GBpZDKhlq4

— Jessica Bartolome (@jacbartolome) August 23, 2018

"Goyo" revolves around Gregorio del Pilar, the young general during the Philippine Revolution who went down in history as the Hero of Tirad Pass. Actor Paulo Avelino stars in the role.

Compared to "Heneral Luna," Tarog said "Goyo" is quieter and provokes more contemplation.

"Mas tahimik yung pelikula and in a way parang invitation siya para sa audience na pagisipan ng mabuti ang nangyayari sa screen. Hindi lang siya 'yung parang paglabas ng sinehan, 'I stand with Luna.' It's more of, saan ba tayo nagkamali at anong nangyari sa rebolusyonaryo na to?" Tarog said.

But just as "Heneral Luna" humanized Antonio Luna, "Goyo" will do the same to del Pilar, showing the man behind the heroic accomplishments in history books.

Tarog said that the film will expose del Pilar's faults, touching on the idea that he was one of Emilio Aguinaldo's lackeys, showing off his vanity, and bringing up the fact that he was a womanizer.

Despite all these, the director said that the film is meant to teach about sacrifice.

"Yung idea of sacrifice, that's one important thing. Yung idea ng pagkilala mo sa sarili mo, is not really a kind of egoism, kung hindi parang learning to let go of your own ego para sa greater good," he said.

"Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral" will premiere on September 5, 2018. — BM, GMA News