The film marks the third installment in director Jerrold Tarog’s Bayaniverse trilogy, which began with Heneral Luna and continued with Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.
On August 19, Quezon Day and President Manuel L. Quezon’s birthday, TBA Studios released the official trailer for Quezon. The film marks the third installment in director Jerrold Tarog’s Bayaniverse trilogy, which began with Heneral Luna (2015) and continued with Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (2018).
The trailer shows Jericho Rosales as Manuel L. Quezon, the Commonwealth’s first president, at the height of his political ambitions. It opens with campaign rallies, speeches, and private confrontations. In one scene, Quezon declares, “I will lead this nation into prosperity,” only for ally Joven Hernando (Arron Villaflor) to counter, “By hook or by crook.” The exchange sets the tone for a film that looks beyond Quezon’s image as a national hero to explore the harder truths of power and politics.
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A quick look back
Manuel L. Quezon was the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth, serving from 1935 until 1944. Often called the “Father of the Nation,” he became known for his speeches, his push for self-governance, and his ability to work within the framework of American rule while still asserting Filipino interests.
The new film picks up on this complex side of his story. As shown in the trailer, Quezon presents him not just as a national icon but as a strategist with rivals, allies, and political battles that defined his leadership.
A strong cast
Jericho Rosales takes the spotlight as Manuel L. Quezon and is joined by Karylle as Aurora Quezon (the First Lady known for her humanitarian work) and Romnick Sarmenta as Vice President Sergio Osmeña (Quezon’s successor in 1944).
JC Santos plays Manuel Roxas (future first president of the Third Republic), while Jake Macapagal appears as Manuel Nieto (Quezon’s Secretary of the Interior). Benjamin Alves portrays the young Quezon, and Mon Confiado returns as Emilio Aguinaldo (first president of the Philippines).
Arron Villaflor is back as Joven Hernando (the fictional journalist from Heneral Luna), with Cris Villanueva as his older counterpart.
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The biggest international name in the cast is Iain Glen, best known as Ser Jorah Mormont in Game of Thrones. He plays Governor-General Leonard Wood, Quezon’s American rival.
Jericho as MLQ
In an interview, he recalled director Jerrold Tarog’s call: “Hello, do you want to play Quezon? Okay ka lang ba na sasaluhin mo yung role?” Rosales said it was “an easy yes.”
He explained how seriously he took the preparation. During the pandemic, he discovered a bust of Quezon by sculptor Graciano T. Nepomuceno at an antique shop. The piece became part of his process: “I realized si Manuel Quezon ‘yun.” he said. ‘I’m bringing you home,’ not knowing that this is the guy I’m going to play next.'”
The Bayaniverse continues
With Quezon, Jerrold Tarog delivers the third installment of the Bayaniverse. Producer Daphne Chiu-Soon shared in an interview that the goal from the start was to humanize heroes often put on pedestals: “Quezon really gives us the space to question leadership and to spark critical thinking after you watch it.”
The Bayaniverse shows a side of history I didn’t learn in school. Back then, we memorized names and dates, but we didn’t really see the contradictions or flaws of the people we called “heroes.” These films don’t shy away from that. Some scenes are brutal, some gritty, but they make you think harder about the choices these leaders made.
The film opens in Philippine cinemas on October 15, 2025, with international screenings to follow. Tickets are now on sale, so you can check your local cinemas as early as now. We’re excited to see more of the story unfold.
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