The Manuel L. Quezon bio-film is finally off to a great start with casting A-List actor Jericho Rosales in the titular role of a lifetime. We commend TBA Studios for such a casting coup as Jericho, which not only brings prestige to the prestige project but also the rare combination of talent, stardom, bearing, and masculinity called for by the role of the country’s very first President.

TBA president Daphne Chiu has announced that the stellar cast of Quezon includes, among others, Romnick Sarmenta as Sergio Osmeña, the first Vice President of the Philippines,  Karylle Yuzon as First Lady Aurora Quezon.

Mon Confiado and Benjamin Alves reprise their roles from earlier films “Heneral Luna” and “Goyo: The Boy General.” Confiado returns as Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon’s political rival. Meanwhile, Alves portrays a younger Manuel L. Quezon.

JC Santos is Manuel Roxas while Cris Villanueva is cast as the older Joven Hernando, the only fictional character in the film series.

‘Quezon’ is the third installment in writer-director Jerrold Tarog's Bayaniverse, a triad of films that tell the stories of key figures in Philippine history. It all started with  

Antonio Luna in Heneral Luna, followed by Gregorio del Pilar in Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.

Similarly, we commend TBA for producing films that explain to Filipinos and the world pages from our history. 

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PASSERBY:

The movie marking the first team-up between Charo Santos and Dingdong Dantes has found a title, Only We Know. The May-December love story is targeting a mid-2025 playdate. Followers of the two major stars wonder if a love scene is part of the story. Or what is a romantic movie if the leads won’t kiss at least?

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If I had the time - more so, more money to spend - I wouldc ertainly love to be on these two trips. Let me share with you two posts I saw on Facebook recently.

Project Nightfall launches what is said to be the longest train ride that begins in Lagos, Portugal, and passes through major cities like Paris, Moscow, Beijing, and Bangkok before reaching Singapore.

If this is true, the train ride traverses through Spain, France, Russia (via the Trans-Siberian Railway), China (including Kunming), Vietnam or Laos (depending on the route taken), Thailand, and Malaysia.

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More realistic, within reach, and quite affordable is this new venture by Raymond Bus Line that can now bring travelers from Manila to Polillo island in Quezon province.

The new service, capped by a roll-on-roll-off connection, links Manila directly to Polillo Island, known for its pristine white beaches. Raymond Bus completed its inaugural trip successfully on February 18 this year.

What was a far-fetched, impossible island destination is now a reality to the adventurous, armchair wanderer like your Moviegoer.