Bea Alonzo performs a “babaylan” in “1521” —PHOTOS COURTESY OF INSPIRE STUDIOS
Months after the supervisor of Bea Alonzo went public to air their facet on the mishap whereas capturing the historic drama “1521: The Quest for Love and Freedom,” it’s now the flip of the movie’s producer to publicly apologize.
Encourage Studios head Francis B. Lara Ho stated he’s “taking accountability” for selections made on the set that ultimately inconvenienced the actress. He already reached out to Bea and her supervisor Shirley Kuan previous to talking with the media final week however has but to obtain a response.
“I hope she hears this: I apologize. Due to my restricted data and expertise—I’m a first-time producer—I made some calls that apparently didn’t assist her, and I take accountability for them. It wasn’t my intention to harm her,” Francis advised Inquirer Leisure in the course of the media gathering organized by Viva Leisure, the movie’s distributor within the Philippines.
He continued: “Shirley is a household buddy. Her household would spend time with us in America. We’ve identified one another for 3 or 4 years. Final time I heard, she and my spouse would discuss, however they in all probability don’t discuss me or the manufacturing. I additionally need to apologize to her. It was by no means my intention for our relationship to show this fashion.”
‘Unreasonable calls for’
In September 2023, a report was revealed quoted the producer saying that Bea made “unreasonable calls for” that weren’t included in her contract, and that she failed to point out up in the course of the becoming of her costumes. This was additionally why Bea ended up paying for the repairs, he was quoted to have stated.
Alternatively, Shirley claimed they weren’t conscious of the becoming schedule. She additionally stated the costumes had been ill-fitting so Bea had them repaired to keep away from any potential wardrobe malfunction whereas filming.
Producer Francis B. Lara Ho of Encourage Studios—MARINEL CRUZ
Francis stated he was additionally getting ready to ship invites to Bea and Shirley to attend the particular screening on Could 29 in Manila. One other screening is scheduled in Cebu Metropolis on Could 30. The movie could have its native nationwide run beginning June 5.
Set within the pre-Spanish period, “1521” is the story of a good looking native princess named Diwata (Bea), who falls in love with Enrique, a Spanish soldier (Hector David Jr.). They struggle for his or her forbidden romance as they’re pulled aside by their loyalties to their very own individuals.
‘Present’ to PH
Francis stated the movie was a “reward” to the nation when it celebrated its a hundred and twenty fifth independence final 12 months. “This was why we screened this on June 12 in 650 cinemas in America. My dream of filling up Hollywood streets with individuals carrying the barong Tagalog and Filipiniana was fulfilled on that day. Everybody was there. They didn’t discuss politics or faith, however about how proud they’re of being Filipinos. That, to me, is my Oscars,” he stated.
The movie was shot in Tagkawayan Seashore in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and never in Cebu the place the precise Battle of Mactan occurred. “As a lot as potential, we didn’t need to use pc graphics, so we looked for a spot that also seemed prefer it’s from 1521. The place else can we discover that however within the Philippines’ final frontier? I’m glad we made that call as a result of we received greatest cinematography at a pageant we attended in Sweden,” he started.
Vic Romano as Udong
“Second purpose is that, since I’m additionally primarily based in Palawan as typically as I’m primarily based within the US, nearly all of our sources are there. In reality, the realm we transformed right into a Mactan village is my household’s personal land,” he defined. “Third, as a Palaweno myself, though I used to be born in Iloilo, I need to present alternatives for individuals there to earn.”
Setting the document straight
Francis added that the mission of “1521” is to lastly set the document straight about what actually occurred between Lapu-Lapu, the king of Mactan, and Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan. “You probably have entry to Prime Video, you will notice a sequence titled ‘Boundless,’ which reveals the attitude of a European producer and filmmaker,” he started, including that one episode reveals a model of the Battle of Mactan the place Lapu-Lapu is depicted as “a savage, fear-mongering rapist and pirate.”
Michael Copon as Lapu-Lapu
Francis continued: “Lapu-Lapu is our hero. He’s a person of honor, and but he was portrayed that approach. If nobody will get up for him, then the world will all the time consider him as a pirate who lived by extorting cash. In reality, I’ve acquired some backlash from foreigners accusing me of historic revisionism. My mission now’s for the world to know who we actually are, that we’re not savages, and that Magellan didn’t uncover the Philippines. When he arrived, we already had our personal writing system, our personal language, and an efficient justice system.”
Historic accuracy
When it comes to historic accuracy, Francis needed to first make clear that “1521” will not be a documentary, however a dramatic piece, “with motion and romance.” He added: “The battle is historic, however the love story is fictional. In fact, we went to the first supply, the one written by (Venetian scholar Antonio) Pigafetta. However when it got here to the precise look of the balangay and the costumes, our manufacturing designer consulted the Nationwide Fee for Tradition and the Arts (NCCA),” he stated.
Henry David Jr. (left) as Enrique and Danny Trejo as Magellan
“1521” can also be about girls empowerment, claimed Francis. “Primarily based on our analysis, ours was an egalitarian society. Which means that girls had been of equal footing to males. When the Spaniards got here, every part modified. The ladies got here solely second to males,” he added. “This isn’t the Filipino model of ‘Pocahontas.’ Diwata fought for her neighborhood. That is extra like a Romeo and Juliet story within the context of the Battle of Mactan within the sixteenth century.”
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Directed by Michael Barder, “1521” additionally options Michael Copon as Lapu-Lapu, Vic Romano as Udong, Costas Mandylor as Lorenzo, and Larissa Buendia as Humayhay.
