Pinky Amador, Quezon Descendant, Says Family Has Suffered Enough From 'Quezon' Film
A Personal Critique from a Family Member
Pinky Amador, a well-known actress in the Philippines, recently shared her thoughts on the film "Quezon," directed by Jerrold Tarog. As a descendant of the late Manuel L. Quezon, she expressed her concerns about how the former Philippine president was portrayed in the movie. In an Instagram post, she mentioned that the film only showed one side of the story, which left her feeling frustrated.
Pinky is the grandchild of Nini Angara Quezon Avanceña, who was the daughter of the late president. Her connection to the historical figure makes her critique particularly personal. She also shared a conversation between Ricky Quezon-Avancena and the film's creators during a talkback session. This interaction highlighted the emotional weight of the issue for her and other family members.
"My Lola, our matriarch, passed away in 2021 at the age of 100. If she were still here, would the producers have the courage to show this to her? It would have certainly caused her great distress," Pinky wrote. Her words reflect the deep sense of responsibility she feels towards her family's legacy.
While she acknowledged the creative choices made by the filmmakers, Pinky emphasized the importance of accountability. She believes that those involved in the film have a duty to present accurate information, especially when dealing with historical figures.
"Artistic freedom does not mean you can ignore your artistic responsibility. We never asked to be consulted or included MLQ as part of your so-called Bayanis. We didn't even question all the negative traits you used," she stated. Her message underscores the need for respect and accuracy when depicting historical events.
Pinky also pointed out the implications of having the Department of Education (Dep-Ed) endorse the film as educational. "When you get Dep-Ed to endorse this as an 'educational' film, the perception is that it will be (at the very least) slightly historical. When you add layers of 'fiction' and 'satire,' then purposefully blur those lines with your creative treatment, you are weaponizing history according to your narrative for sales," she explained.
She further highlighted the educational challenges faced by many Filipinos. "We are in an educational crisis. 24 million Filipinos struggle with functional literacy, and 91% of 10-year-olds cannot read simple texts. So when Dep-Ed-endorsed films become the only education for millions, showing only one side isn’t just poor storytelling—it’s miseducation," she said.
Despite her criticism, Pinky assured that she doesn't want to stop people from watching the film and forming their own opinions. However, she admitted that expressing her views might have strained some relationships within the creative community.
"I'm just a small artist. I probably won't work with these creatives anymore, and my fellow artists in the industry might dislike me. But I am doing this for my Lola and my great-grand uncle, who are no longer here to defend themselves," she concluded. Her words reflect a deep commitment to her family's legacy and the importance of telling their story accurately.
