‘Katipunan’ premieres Saturday

CEBU, Philippines - They say a revolution is not about anger, it is about love.

Numerous wars were waged against Spanish colonizers who came to the Philippines in 1521. At the close of the 19th century, there was Andres Bonifacio’s Katipunan.

GMA News and Public Affairs’ first historical docudrama focuses on Bonifacio and his Katipunan, and the conditions then that forced Filipinos to take up arms.

The pilot episode opens with a ravaged and raped young lady named Teresa, played by Mercedes Cabral. Her fate sets into motion a series of events that force her friends Sebastian (Benjamin Alves) and Pacquing (Dominic Roco) to flee their small town.

There is a shift in the town’s leadership: The moderate Padre Costa is replaced by the rabid and battle-tested Padre Villalon (Roi Vinzon), signaling a change in the way clerics implement policies in the community.

Jose Rizal’s second novel, El Filibusterismo has begun making rounds among the country’s intellegentsia, making Spanish colonizers more wary of the formation of any groups that may weaken its hold on the Philippines.

Meantime, an obscure man named Andres Bonifacio (Sid Lucero) takes part in stage plays featuring folk hero Bernardo Carpio. He also attends secret meetings of Freemasons.

The various characters meet because of the fate that befalls Teresa.

“Katipunan” also features Glaiza de Castro as Bonifacio’s wife, Gregoria de Jesus.

Created by program manager Jaileen Jimeno and written by Ian Victoriano, the historical docudrama is directed by King Marc Baco. Production work is led by program manager Nowell Cuanang and executive producer Jayson Santos. It is being filmed using Sony Cinemaalta F3 cameras provided by Solid Video. CMB Film Services Inc. provided lenses and other high-end equipment.

“Katipunan” will air for eight Saturdays beginning Oct.19, 10:15 p.m. on GMA-7. It will have a replay on Sundays, 7:15 p.m. on GMA News TV beginning Oct. 20. (PR)(FREEMAN)