MANILA, Philippines – “El Presidente” is the title of the movie that actor-turned politician ER Ejercito, now governor of Laguna after serving as mayor of Pagsanjan for three terms, is set to do this year. It’s a film project that he has been so passionate about the past 12 years or so. But is the title any indication of ER’s ultimate political goal? He just smiled enigmatically and said, “I’ve already been president – of the Actors’ Guild of the Philippines!”

But seriously, he said his real intention in making the movie is to come out with the truth about Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, hailed as one of the greatest generals in Philippine history who fought for Philippine Independence. ER cited eight other historical justifications for the project: Aguinaldo was the founder of the First Philippine Republic; Aguinaldo was the power and the glory behind the Filipinos’ struggle for freedom and independence; Aguinaldo was a statesman, a patriot and the greatest leader of the Philippine Revolution; Aguinaldo was responsible for creating the Philippine Flag, the National Anthem, the Philippine Constitution, and ultimately, the First Philippine Republic; Aguinaldo was credited for uniting and unifying variouys regional factions into a Filipino nation; Aguinaldo was the Revolutionary Hero who signaled the Filipinos’ ground armed resistance against Spain, and later against America; Aguinaldo represented the Filipinos’ moment of glory during the 1898 Revolution; and Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898.

It’s time to do a commercial epic film about General Aguinaldo, in the tradition of “Gandhi,” “Revolution,” “Braveheart,” “Troy” and “The Last Samurai,” ER stressed.

ER intends to finish the movie this year, after 12 years of research by historians (Jose Mari Avellana and Jose Victor Torres) and writing of the script (by Roy Iglesias). All the controversies in the life of General Aguinaldo – like the summary execution of Andres Bonifacio and Antonio and the Treaty of Paris – will all be presented in the movie, “because we cannot reverse what was written in the books,” he said.

The film project has the support of former Prime Minister Cesar E.A. Virata, grand nephew of General Aguinaldo; the living descendants of General Aguinaldo, the National Historical Institute, the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Kapisanan ng mga Artista ng Pelikulang Pilipino at Telebisyon, SM Cinama, Robinsons Galleria Theaters and Ayala Theaters, as well as the Department of Education and CHED.

It will be a two-and-half-hour movie to be directed by Tikoy Aguiluz (who said he was inspired and challenged to direct the film because of Aguinaldo’s complex character that remained so till the end), and the story will start with Aguinaldo in a wheelchair when he was already in his 90s, ER said.

Batangas Governor Villma Santos-Recto has agreed to play Aguinaldo’s second wife, we were told. ER said he’s considering getting Iza Calzado to play the role of Aguinaldo’s first wife.

ER also announced during the press conference for “El Presidente” that he would also like to do a remake of the film “Asiong Salonga,” which first starred former President Joseph Estrada in 1961, then Rudy Fernandez in 1978.

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Cinema One films now on DVD

Cinema One, the premier movie channel in the country, is proud to announce that the Cinema One Originals are now on DVD. Featured are the award-winning movies from Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival from 2005 to 2010. Among them are “Confessional,” “Dose,” “Yanggaw,” “Wanted: Border” and “Paano Ko Sasabihin” which are now available at all branches of Astro Plus, Astro Vision, Odyssey, O Music, Fully Booked and SM Record Bar.

“Confessional” is a mock-documentary movie by writers-directors Jerrold Tarog and Ruel Dahis. It has been hailed as “an intelligent Blair Witch Project of political thrillers.” It was also described as the “most beautiful and brilliant movie at the 10th Osian Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema” in New Delhi, India.

“Dose” is a different movie where the lead character, a lonely gardener played by Yul Servo, who developes an intriguing relationship with a sad 12-year-old boy. It’s catchy tagline is “Love knows no age or gender!” It was an instant hit in various international film festivals.

Other titles in the lineup include Richard Somes’ “Yanggaw,” Ray Defante Gibraltar’s “Wanted: Border,” and Richard Soriano Legapi’s “Paano Ko Sasabihin.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 1, go to Gino Padilla, Ed Joaquin, Capt. Rudy Herrera, Cassandra Ponti, Jose R. Veloso, Albino Jao, Fred Reyes, Jucelle Baterna, Grace S. Bautista, Gigi Cabro, Kenneth Graham, Peachie Naidas Abacan, Maryo Labad, Ricky de Leon, Cynthia Tan, Carla Monique Quiambao-Pascual, Mina Cepeda Go, Sophia Montecarlo (Swirtty Mae Nibley) and MB columnist Deedee M. Siytangco… Happy wedding anniversary to San Diego, California-based realtors Max and Edith Ricketts... Feb. 29 celebrants include CCP Pres. Raul Sunico, Freddie Santos. Fortunato Luipo, Tina Revilla-Valencia, Biboy Enriquez, Leny Carpio, Dulce Belen and writer-executive producer Gypsy Baldovino...