REVIEW: Lakambini Gregoria De Jesus - The Tragedy of a Katipunera

This film has been in development for more than a decade, and in the 150th birthyear of Gregoria De Jesus, producer Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil felt that this year is the perfect time to finish and screen the life of the woman leader of the Katipunan. 

Played by three actresses; Lovi Poe, Elora Españo, and Gina Pareno, it shows the different points of her life which were filled with struggles and tragedies from the Philippine revolution to the American commonwealth. It also includes great actors like Rocco Nacino who plays Andres Bonifacio, Paulo Avelino is Julio Nakpil, and the late Spanky Manikan is the older Julio Nakpil.

'LAKAMBINI GREGORIA DE JESUS' Reintroduces the True Mother of the Philippine Revolution

After more than a century of being relegated to the footnotes of history, the legendary revolutionary heroine Gregoria de Jesús, known as the Lakambini ng Katipunan, is finally front and center in her own film. 

This crucial historical correction,the meta-docu-fiction Lakambini Gregoria de Jesus, is set for release on November 5, 2025. 

This milestone coincides with the 150th birth anniversary of Gregoria "Ka Oriang" de Jesus, commemorated last May 9, 2025. Revered as the Lakambini of the Katipunan, she is among the three heroes honored this year by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), alongside Emilio Jacinto and Gregorio del Pilar. 

Hintayan Ng Langit - From Stage To Film Makes A Powerful Impression

I have seen this when it was a one-act-play back in 2016.Now one of the competition circle films for QCinema, HInatayan Ng Langit is already an interesting film to look forward to. And having Eddie Garcia and Gina Pareno to play the ex-lovers Manolo and Lisang is a perfect choice.

Set as an interpretation of "purgatory," Hintayan is a place for atonement and closure. Manolo recently passed and was sent here for unfinished business. He meets his ex-lover Lisang who passed 2 years earlier and awaiting clearance on his way to heaven to be with his husband.

As the two have never met in decades, they make use of their remaining time to bond with each other and knowing more about their past. I like the treatment of the film which gave more details and depth to the play. With a lot of details that can be added, I love how they made use of the material to add fun details with the location, the signs, and even the system.