5 Movies to Watch this National Heroes’ Day
The long weekend leading to National Heroes’ Day is finally here! If you want to turn that patriotic spirit on, why not binge on these TBA Studios movies now accessible across major streaming platforms? It’s history class minus the snooze and the pop quiz.
Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo
Helmed by filmmaker Enzo Williams, Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo is the unofficial first film in what would be a “Bayaniverse” series of movies. Produced before the formation of TBA Studios, it tells the story of the Katipunan revolutionary Andres Bonifacio and his eventual rift with the other faction’s leader Emilio Aguinaldo. Released in 2014, it won the most awards in that year’s Metro Manila Film Festival including Best Picture.
At the moment, Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo can be watched for free on TBA Studios’ YouTube channel in select territories except for the Philippines, Myanmar, and the Middle East.
Heneral Luna
Who doesn’t remember the famous line “Bayan o sarili? Pumili ka!”? The sleeper hit Heneral Luna has disturbed everyone’s idea of heroism in this 2015 biopic about General Antonio Luna. Receiving critical acclaim from here and abroad, the second film in the Bayaniverse put director Jerrold Tarog and lead actor John Arcilla under everyone’s radar after the film’s success.
Heneral Luna is available worldwide on Netflix and on TBA Studios’ YouTube Channel. The movie can also be streamed on iWantTFC and WeTV.
Angelito
Angelito is a 20-minute short film that follows the story of brothers two days after the death of Antonio Luna. It bridges Jerrold Tarog’s magnum opuses Heneral Luna and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.
You can watch the short in an exclusive bundle package on Cinema ‘76 @ Home and TBA Play for cinephiles abroad.
Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral
Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral is the second installment to Tarog’s trilogy chronicling the lives of important figures in Philippine history during the Filipino-American War. The movie revolves around the 22-year old general Gregorio del Pilar (Paulo Avelino) finding his youth and sanity tainted in two wars. The massive blockbuster opened with over 300 cinemas nationwide during its premiere week, a never-before feat for a historical movie.
Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (Goyo:The Boy General) is available worldwide on Netflix.
Sunday Beauty Queen
If you’re looking for stories about our modern-day heroes, then stream the documentary Sunday Beauty Queen. This critically acclaimed docu, which won Best Picture at the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival, does away with the usual pretty-faced hosts and puts the spotlights on the OFWs in Hong Kong. Filmmaker Babyruth Villarama follows these unsung heroes toil during the week and prepare for beauty pageants on their days off.
Sunday Beauty Queen is available on Netflix Philippines and worldwide on TBA Studios’ YouTube channel.
Hankering for more socially relevant content? Check out the other docu releases of TBA Studios here.
If you’re looking for Bayaniverse merch, you’re in luck! Head to Cinema ’76 Film Society Shopee merch store to avail of exciting discounts on Bayaniverse shirts, bags, DVDs, and more at this coming Shopee 9.9 Sale!