The idea of a film that would advocate the re-teaching and reemphasis of good manners and right conduct even outside the campus stemmed when director Dave Cecilio and now Manila Mayor Isko Moreno were together in Catbalogan City in Samar and Tacloban City some years back.
Being a Waray from Catbalogan, Dave is a staunch believer and supporter of character refinement among the youth especially at this time of computer age and games where most of the young people’s time is devoted to online diversion that the practical and traditional moral fiber of politeness and courtesy are taken to the backburner.
“Gusto talaga ni Yorme Isko na maibalik ang good manners and right conduct sa mga kabataan. ‘Yan talaga ang isa sa kanyang mga advocacy kahit noon pang kanyang mga kandidatura (Yormer Isko really wanted to bring back good manners and right conduct among the youth. That was one of his objectives even when he was running for the Senate and mayoralty of Manila),” recalled Cecilio.
“Kaya nga nang magkausap kami sa Catbalogan at Tacloban no’n, sabi niya, malaki ang magagawa ng pelikula sa kampanyang ito (When we talked in Catbalogan and Tacloban, he told me that the movies can do a lot in the campaign of bringing back chivalry and courtesy),” informed the director.
“Kaya nga nang mai-conceptualize ko ang pelikulang ‘El Genio de la Raza (The Genius of the Race)’ I easily thought of Yorme to be in the film. Pero dahil alam kong abala siya sa kanyang trabaho, ang naisip ko na lang, cameo role para sa kanya. Sasabihin lang niya, isang linya, ‘paano kayo bukas’ (When I conceptualized the film ‘El Genio de la Raza (The Genius of the Race) but knowing Yorme’s busy schedule, I just thought of giving him a one-liner, ‘what about your tomorrow’?),” Cecilio stressed who admitted he was excited to have Isko in his film.
But Moreno was caught up with his hectic schedule of political activities so he missed his role in the movie which traced the life of the young Dr. Jose Rizal. “Inspirasyon kasi si Rizal para sa mga kabataan (Rizal is an inspiration to the youth),” said Dave.
The biopic of Rizal’s youth is now in the can but Yorme had promised Cecilio he would still support his film and its advocacy.
“El Genio de la Raza (The Genius of the Race)” is slated to stream live and to screen in an in-person premiere in Rizal’s Calamba House with health protocols among guests on June 19, 2021 on Rizal’s 160th birthday.
The Rizal’s filmbio stars seven-year old JM Estrella as Pepe Rizal and Tanya Gomez as Teodora Alonzo.