General Bato. Photo by Joseph R. Atilano
‘BATO: The Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa Story’ is about a man who has dedicated his life in ensuring that the innocent, pure of heart, and law-abiding citizens of our country will remain safe, alive, and free of harm from the evil forces that exist in the Philippines. The movie ‘BATO: The Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa Story’ is about the life of General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa whose honor, courage, and love for his own country have led him into the person he is now. That he has rightfully earned the moniker and is fondly or derisively called ‘General Bato’-depending on who it comes from-is by no small accident!
That he serves to the best of his abilities has led him to climb the ranks of the PNP and ultimately to becoming the PNP Chief himself is a testament to General Bato’s commitment to do his work without fear or vacillation. General Bato has become a symbol of justice for all because evil people hate him but good people born with a moral compass in their hearts and who love their country, love him in return.
General Bato is a person who has faced death in the eye countless times and amazingly survived them all. For me, I look beyond the obvious and see that there is a most profound reason he is still alive. It is his destiny! It is for him to not only be able to tell his story now, via this movie ‘BATO: The Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa Story’ which is showing in cinemas since January 30, 2019, but most importantly to be able continue a divine mission to serve and protect the Filipino people in enforcing and upholding the law by his own personal example of courage and valor.
As, indeed, to quote Martin Luther King, Jr.: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Let’s not look far for such a man. Right before our eyes stands the man we need. General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is the very personification and embodiment of that man!
General Bato. Photo by Joseph R. Atilano
Now, here below is my exclusive interview with General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa:
1) QUESTION: General Bato, kilala kayo sa inyong integrity, honor, and for your no-nonsense approach sa pag-sugpo sa kriminilad sa atin bansa. Ano po, para sa inyo, ang pinaka-malaking hadlang or challenges ninyo sa pag ganap ng inyong trabaho nung PNP Chief pa kayo ?
GENERAL BATO: Napakarami ! Unang-una sa organization itself nang PNP. Sabi ko, hindi talaga perpekto ang kahit alin na organization pero percentage talaga dun ay mababaw. Pero yan talaga ang mahirap dun, ang fight within the organization. Na gusto mo sila ma-eliminate, mga kasamahan mo, mga kasamahan mo sa organization, mga kabaro mo. Gusto mo sila ma neutralize para hindi sila makagawa ng kalokohan at hindi sila maka damage sa organization. Yan na po ang isa sa mga pinaka malaking hadlang.
2) QUESTION: In your professional life po, when you saw it all–the good, the bad, the ugly–in your moments of private reflection, naiisip ninyo po ba na sana, one day, maisa-pelikula ang inyong buhay ? Bakit po ?
GENERAL BATO: Well, normal sa tao yun na may ambition, na mangarap. Kasi, kung wala kang pangarap, walang pupuntahan ang buhay mo. Pero, really, aaminin ko… hindi ko talaga pinangarap na magkaroon nang pelikula yung buhay ko. Ngayon lang na nabigyan ako ng chance na gawin itong pelikula. Napalaking bagay po. At ang Regal ang naging moving vehicle for the people to know ang pinag-daanan ko at sino talaga si Bato.
3) QUESTION: Ngayon po, General Bato, na meron ng sine tungkol sa buhay ninyo, what is your wish that moviegoers will carry in their owns minds and hearts, pagkatapos nila mapanood ang ‘BATO: The Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa Story’ ?
GENERAL BATO: I wish… to revive or to regenerate hope, love, faith… sa lahat ng puso ng mga tao. Lalung-lalo na yung mga mahihirap na kumbaga, huwag sila mawalan ng pag-asa sa buhay.