Image: Screen grab via Youtube/GMA Network
Alden Richards drew praise when he starred as activist Bonifacio Ilagan in the TV feature “Ang Alaala: A Martial Law Special”.
GMA Public Affairs produced the special documentary to commemorate the 45th year since President Ferdinand Marcos first declared martial law.
Bonifacio Ilagan is a screenwriter who was tortured under the Marcos dictatorship. He wrote the short film himself to narrate his account of martial law.
The film’s production is featured within the documentary that includes interviews from those who actively opposed martial law.
Richards played a young Boni, an activist who would be captured and tortured. More painfully, his sister Rizalina would disappear without a trace.
Netizens praised the actor for his performance, with many thanking him for using his “talent and influence to educate people.”
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@aldenrichards02
Ilagan’s daughter Dey thanked the actor for his work:
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@deynsbro
“You bravely took the role for people to see a glimpse of the horrible past,” said another Twitter user.
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@aldenrichards02
His acting chops were also praised: a fan said the torture scene was “too unbearable to see.”
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@afanforalways
Another said they could no longer distinguish between Richards and his role:
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@piecesofchi
The “AlDub” actor himself described shooting as “Physically, psychologically, emotionally, mentally, mahirap,” he told Bandera.
Some saw it as a “wake up call.”
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@allwaysmaichard
“Hope this encourages more personalities to speak up against martial law atrocities. We need louder voices,” said one Twitter user.
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@littleboondock
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@talpog
His conviction also gave him new fans:
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@hazeah96
Actors Gina Alajar, Bianca Umali and Rocco Nacino who were part of the cast also helped bring Ilagan’s narrative to life.
Under martial law, Filipinos were stripped of human rights and were at the mercy of the Philippine Constabulary. At least 75,730 cases of human rights violations during the Marcos administration have been filed under the Human Rights Victims Claims Board (HRVCB) by May 2015. JB
RELATED STORIES:
To young Filipinos who never knew martial law and dictatorship
The night Marcos declared martial law