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John Arcilla supports fellow Quezon descendant in criticism of ‘Quezon’ film

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<p style="text-align:left">Actor John Arcilla, known for his role in the 2015 TBA Studios first Bayaniverse trilogy biopic <em>Heneral Luna</em>, has expressed support for his cousin, Ricky Quezon-Avanceña.</p><p>Ricky is the grandson of former President Manuel L. Quezon, who went viral for his criticism of the new film <em>Quezon</em> in a talkback session last October 23. Meanwhile, John is a fellow descendant of the former president through his mother. The movie, which is the third film of the trilogy, depicts the life of their late grandfather.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/10/24/director-jerrold-tarog-jericho-rosales-face-criticism-from-quezon-s-grandson-over-quezon-film-1513"><strong><u>READ: Director Jerrold Tarog, Jericho Rosales face criticism from Manuel L. Quezon’s grandson over ‘Quezon’ film</u></strong></a></div><p>Following his tirade, Ricky took to social media his sentiments: &quot;Watch it, and then join me in a social media defense mga Quezon followers. Nobody said he was a hero, so labas sya sa kabaduyan ng &#x27;Bayaniverse,’&quot; he wrote along with the long caption.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fricky.avancena.2024%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02Tm6HMjVtP78NEZKAAPjve41JJpjbfyxkp6WxHnjhU5eaVZFuceCtWd6HxHd6esLPl&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=500" width="500" height="497" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" __gchrome_childframeremotetoken="fb2968b15dc297b5e545f1d992a8af6b"></iframe></div><p>Backing Ricky’s Facebook post, John agreed with the comments that the family and descendants of Quezon should have been consulted during the film’s production.</p><p>&quot;Ricky –  I, or anyone else, cannot blame you. Our family is still very much alive; they should have considered consulting the direct descendants and relatives (?),&quot; John wrote.</p><p>&quot;The reason no one has made a film about Juan Luna, for instance, is that his wife’s family does not want the story told from someone else’s point of view — and I am not sure that principle applies here, especially since the direct descendants who are still alive were not even consulted,&quot; he emphasized.</p><p>Having previously worked with TBA Studios and director Jerrold Tarog, John acknowledged his friendship with the team behind both films. While he respects the filmmakers’ creative freedom, he emphasized that the reactions of living family members are valid.</p><p>&quot;We share the same sentiment. All the people involved are my colleagues and friends, and while I cannot apologize on their behalf — because they have their own principles and freedom of expression — I believe that if the living family and descendants feel bothered by the matter, you/we are fully entitled to our reactions, or even to seek proper clarification or action if necessary,&quot; John noted.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/9/9/tba-studios-marks-10th-anniversary-of-heneral-luna-with-bayaniverse-photo-shoot-1537"><strong><u>READ: TBA Studios marks 10th anniversary of &#x27;Heneral Luna&#x27; with &#x27;Bayaniverse&#x27; photo shoot</u></strong></a></div><p>He also commented on the film’s satirical approach: &quot;It looked satirical in the way they styled the early rigodons of political opponents and some of the &#x27;actings,&#x27; but the content itself doesn’t feel like one.&quot;</p><p>He noted that while certain scenes appeared stylized or humorous, the portrayal of Former President Quezon felt direct and preachy. &quot;The preachy and direct characterization of our Lolo’s persona according to what the film wants to paint was explicitly stated by the fictional Joven — who represents the audience — right to his face. That’s what truly feels bothersome&quot;</p><p>&quot;I feel you, ‘nsan (cousin),&quot; John ended his comment.</p><p>The controversy came to wider attention after a video went viral, showing Ricky questioning Director Tarog and lead actor Jericho Rosales during a <em>Quezon</em> screening. Ricky asked whether the film could be considered a satire and expressed concern that it might have maligned his grandfather and family, who had made significant sacrifices for the country.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/10/24/tba-studios-responds-to-criticisms-from-quezon-s-family-1701"><strong><u>READ: TBA Studios responds to criticisms from Quezon’s family: ‘The film is grounded in verified historical accounts’</u></strong></a></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTBAStudiosPH%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02WENjbdiCQF2D2vJEPYHUxaQupMno68WppaFN68foDgxqXMFyyQLygG8G5iZWpY9Nl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="290" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" __gchrome_childframeremotetoken="6d2759b83081ab5fd51340f675dacede"></iframe></div><p>Following criticisms from the descendants of <em>Quezon, </em>TBA studios released an official statement asserting that their latest film is “based on verified historical accounts.”</p><div> </div><p>—by Alyana Cabuhat De Guzman</p>

<p>Actor John Arcilla addresses fellow Manuel L. Quezon descendant Ricky Avanceña’s social media criticism of the new film ‘Quezon.</p>

Actor John Arcilla addresses fellow Manuel L. Quezon descendant Ricky Avanceña’s social media criticism of the new film ‘Quezon.