Jaime Pebanco

MANILA, Philippines -- The epic movie “El Presidente” will span several decades in the life of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the Philippine Republic. So expect the film to be somewhat long, not less than two hours-and-a-half. This is according to Laguna Gov. “ER” Ejercito who plays the title role.

“The beginning of the movie will show me and my second wife Maria Agoncillo (played by Nora Aunor) already in our old age. Me in my 90s and confined to a wheelchair. The story of the General unfolds via flashbacks.”

Gov. ER said Gen. Aguinaldo met Maria Agoncillo (she made the first Philippine flag) when he was already 78 years old.

Produced by Myline Enriquez’s Scenema Concepts Int’l, “El Presidente” will entail a budget of P100 million more or less of which P7 or P10 million is reportedly Nora Aunor’s talent fee. But of course, the producer won’t admit it, saying only that Ms. Aunor is certainly worth more than that but that she agreed to a lesser amount.

They started shooting last Monday in Kawit, Cavite (with director Tikoy Aguiluz at the helm) and Nora surprised everyone by arriving early (her scenes were shot starting at 3 p.m. only). Still, everyone is observing and monitoring the superstar’s attitude and working habits as she has promised many times since she arrived that she has changed her ways, that she won’t put her close friend and manager German Moreno in trouble.

“Ayokong mapahiya si Kuya Germs, at lalong-lalo na ang TV5 na sumugal sa akin at nagtiwala at nagbigay sa akin ng magagandang proyekto...”

At the press conference for “El Presidente” at Club Filipino last Saturday (Aug. 6), Nora repeated what she has said before that it doesn’t matter if she was second choice for the Maria Agoncillo character and that it’s not the lead role. “Ang mahalaga sa akin maganda ang proyekto na historical pa.”

Gov. ER said the movie aims to justify all the major and controversial decisions that General Aguinaldo made during his presidency including the sale of the country to the US for $20,000. Aside from the Philippine Flag, Gen. Aguinaldo was also responsible for the creation of the National Anthem and the first Philippine Constitution.

Actor recognized after 30 years

It’s been 30 years since character actor Jaime Pebanco first joined showbiz. But it’s only now that his work is being recognized when he won Best Supporting Actor in the recent 2011 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival for his role in the movie “Patikul,” Joel Lamangan’s entry film in the Directors Showcase category.

The advocacy film (about the importance of education to everyone, young and old) also won the “Audience’s Choice Award” and the “Best Film for Children Award.”

Pebanco received his Balanghay Trophy, his first acting award ever, teary-eyed. In “Patikul,” he plays a coffee farm worker named Haddic, whose son, a slow-learner in school, later joined the Abu Sayyaf. He prepared for his Haddic role, Pebanco said by, first, learning and studying the Tausug dialect – the accent and delivery. “In acting, it matters that you get into character with utmost truthfulness and sincerity. When it comes from the heart, you won’t go wrong,” he said.

In a recent interview, we asked if he expected to win and he said he didn’t although “feeling ko may laban ako, kasi sa shooting pa lang namin, sabi na ng mga tao maganda ang role ko.”

“I was at the awards night with the ‘Patikul’ team to support Direk Joel. When my name was mentioned as the winner in the Best Supporting Actor category, I was overwhelmed with joy. Finally, my dream came true – to be recognized as an actor.”

Pebanco also worked as Production Assistant (PA) in films. The various roles he played say a lot about the meat of his craft – a boatman in “Ikaw,” a pedophile in “Warat,” NPA dissident in “Kadre,” macho gay in “Mister Mo, Lover Boy Ko,” tough guy inmate in “Deathrow,” WWII transvestite in “Aishite Masu,” human rights victim in “Dukot,” and publisher in “Deadline: The Reign of Impunity” among other parts.

Pebanco also did many movies with Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos and he said he’d like to work with them again in the near future.

In GMA 7’s sine-novela “Pahiram ng Isang Ina,” where he plays the role of a kind-hearted driver, Pebanco is again directed by the multi-awarded Joel Lamangan, his mentor-friend. “Pahiram ng Isang Ina,” starring Carmina Villaroel, Maxene Magalona, Marco Alcaraz, Bea Binena and Jake Vargas among others, will start airing on Aug. 15 after “Eat Bulaga” on Dramarama sa Hapon.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Thursday, Aug. 11, go to wellness guru Ms. Cory Quirino, John Gokongwei, Rodolfo Reyes, Dr. Francis C. Agcaoili, Susan del Rosario, Gene Bruno, Maricon Borja, Claire Isidro, Lissa Japsay, Vicent A. Martinez, Chat G. Sacay, Alex Ilagan, Menchie Dulay, Suzette Tongson and awarded actress Iza Calzado…