Cedrick Juan couldn't hold back his tears after watching the full length of the historical movie GomBurZa for the first time.
Directed by Pepe Diokno, the film paid tribute to the three martyred priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, also known as GomBurZa.
They were sentenced to execution by garrote due to false accusations on February 17, 1872.
It proved to be a pivotal point in Philippine history as the priests' tragic death was witnessed by then ten-year-old Jose Rizal.
Rizal's classic novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were inspired by GomBurZa.
The Katipuneros were also spurred to fight against Spanish colonialism and even commemorated the death of the priests as early as February 1894, according to an article in National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
Based on the positive feedback from the audience at the special screening of Gomburza, the movie succeeded in showcasing a moving tale about the beginnings of how the Filipino nation was born.
It also brought to life nuances of the characters' struggles that might have been overlooked if one is not attentive enough during history class.
"At first I am being technical nung mga first few sequences na pinapanood. Kasi first time ko napanood," said Cedrick, who plays Padre Burgos in the film.
He continued, "Siguro ano, [later on] parang dinala na ako ng kuwento, to the point na di ko na siya inisip. Di ko na nakikita sarili ko.
"Kaya ako umiiyak kasi sobrang sakit nung nangyari sa kanya [Padre Burgos]. Sobrang na-move ako kasi yung injustices 151 years ago, and even before pa, until now nangyayari pa rin siya.
"I can't imagine those people without proper justice or due process. Ano yung nararamdaman nila? Ang laki na ng iniisip ko.
"Isipin mo, kahit mga pari sila, wala silang exception. Sobrang emotional kasi ang sakit.
"More than me being here, it's really more of what happened to the three martyred priests."
@pepalerts Reaction of Cedrick Juan, Enchong Dee and Khalil Ramos after watching their finished film GomBurZa, one of the entries in the 2023 MMFF. The touching film traced how the blood, sweat, and tears of those who came before us gave us the Filipino nation. #PEPNews #EntertainmentNewsPH #NewsPH ? original sound - PEP.ph
The special screening of GomBurZa was held at Gateway Cineplex Cinema 1 at Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.
The event was also attended by Enchong Dee (Padre Zamora), Piolo Pascual (Padre Burgos's mentor), Khalil Ramos, Ketchup Eusebio, and Carlos Siguion-Reyna.
Khalil was accompanied by his girlfriend Gabbi Garcia. Dante Rivero, who played Padre Gomez, didn't make it to the screening.
Read: Cedrick Juan ipinagdasal ang role na Father Burgos sa GomBurZa
ON TRANSLATING THE STORY OF GOMBURZA IN THE BIG SCREEN
Cedrick said it was thanks to director Diokno as well as screenwriter Rody Vera for bringing to life a slice of history that would resonate to moviegoers.
"As an artist, ang pinakanaitutulong namin when it comes to education lalo na sa paggawa ng historical film, yung visual, yung emotion.
"Kung paano itatawid yung nararamdaman ng isang tao o ng isang estudyante habang binabasa yung ganitong klaseng piyesa.
"And I can still remember the very first time I read the script, same emotion siya.
"Lalo na yung towards the end, yung time frames nila na different na. Yun yung isa sa pinakamalaking impact sa akin.
"Kasi ang ganda ng pagkakasulat ni Sir Rody Vera and ni Sir Pepe. May question siya.
"Somehow tsina-challenge niya tayong mga Pilipino ngayon."
Read: Veteran actor Dante Rivero makes the right choice to do GomBurZa movie
PEPE DIOKNO'S GOAL IN MAKING GOMBURZA
Diokno, for his part, related what he hopes to achieve when he was making GomBurZa.
"Our aim is to shake definitely para ma-inspire po tayo lahat.
"When I first read about the story of the three priests, it made me think about, 'Mabuti ba akong Pilipino? What can I do to help the country?'
"Kung itong tatlong pari na ito ay ibinigay ang buhay nila para ipaglaban ang tao and their life eventually helped shape our country, ano pa ba yung kaya kong ibigay?
"This film is dedicated to our country. In the same way na si Rizal na-inspire sa kuwento ng GomBurZa, sana tayo ay ma-inspire lahat."
Diokno continued, "Muli nating buhayin ang alab sa ating mga puso. I think that's the real gift this Christmas.
"Pag napanood mo siya, di mo lang hindi maiintindihan ang kasaysayan, you will also feel for it. At ma-inspire ka rin."
Cedrick agreed with the director's vision to awaken a sense of love for the country amongst those who will see GomBurZa.
"Isa sa matutulong ng artists yung integrity. Yung never dapat maging apolitical ang artists kasi everything is about politics.
"Parang ganito, kung apolitical ang artist, hindi ka dapat gumawa ng ganito.
"Pero alam mong sobrang halaga niya sa history natin lahat. And sobrang thankful lang kasi alam ko di lahat [nabibigyan ng ganitong opportunity]."