WATCH: 'Goyo' cast on heroism, national heroes

MANILA, Philippines —  Kapamilya actor Paulo Avelino believes it is important to know history to correct the present. 

“Importante na malaman natin ang history natin, importante rin na ipaulit-ulit ipaalala sa atin itong mga nangyari sa historiya natin para makita natin ang mga pagkakamali natin at maitama natin ang mga pagkakamali natin na paulit-ulit hanggang sa panahon ngayon nagagawa at nagiging pagkakamali natin,” he said during the recent grand press conference of his film, “Goyo: Ang Batang General.”

For Paulo, his new film encouraged him to research more on how Americans conquered the Philippines. 

“I love the country ever since, but after researching and reading so many stuff, this type of films encouraged me and sparked something in me to research more and find out more about the history on the timeline of how Americans came here, how much of our history is not really taught to the younger generation. It just gave me more love and more hope for our country," said Paulo.

“In many ways, 'yung kwento ni Goyo, para siyang a call to critical thinking. Kinukwestiyon niya yung sarili niya, kinukwestiyon niya kung bakit ginagawa ito. And in a way, 'yun din 'yung magiging tanong ng audience kapag lumabas sila ng sinehan,” director Jerrold Tarog said. “Ano ba talaga 'yung pinaglaban ni Goyo? Pag-ibig ba? Si Aguinaldo ba? O yung bayan? I think magandang pag-isipan yun nung audience, especially ng kabataan.”

"With the tagline “Tandaan Mo Kung Sino Ka,” “Goyo” will be open in cinemas on September 5 nationwide and stars Mon Confiado as Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo, Epy Quizon as Apolinario Mabini, Arron Villaflor as Joven Hernando, Alvin Anson as Gen. Jose Alejandrino, Art Acuña as Manuel Bernal, Ronnie Lazaro as Lt. Pantaleon Garcia, Perla Bautista as Doña Trinidad Aguinaldo, Benjamin Alves as Lt. Manuel Quezon, Jojit Lorenzo, Tomas Santos, Carlo Cruz, Perla Bautista, Che Ramos, Matt Evans, RK Bagatsing, Karl Medina, Stephanie Sol, Miguel Faustmann, Jason Dewey, Bret Jackson, Ethan Salvador, and Robert Seña.

“Tandaan mo kung sino ka, napakaimportante tandaan natin kung sino tayo, kung saan tayo nanggaling, kung sino tayo ngayon, para malaman natin ang mga kasalukuyan nating problema at maihanda natin ang sarili natin para sa kinabukasan,” Paulo reminded. — Video by Kat Leandicho