CSF honors Jose Abad Santos thru film, book launching

TO COMMEMORATE the 76th death anniversary of Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos and in celebration of the National Heritage Month this May, the City Government of San Fernando on Friday held the premiere of the movie entitled Honor: The Legacy of Jose Abad Santos at SM City Pampanga.

The full-length documentary depicts the story of Abad Santos, through interviews with descendants, top Philippine World War II historians, official documents and excerpts from the memoirs written by Abad Santos’ son Pepito, who was with his father through his last days.

At the same time, absorbing visuals are incorporated into the narrative, including rare vintage photos and film; modern motion and graphics and animation; and dramatic re-enactments with mainstream actors like Alex Medina and Ricardo Cepeda.

The film is a production of the Philippine World II Memorial Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit organization which aims to educate the Filipino people on the nation’s World War II history.

It is directed by Bani Lagrono, one of the youngest directors in the Philippines and an advocate of World War II history, and is produced in partnership with Sypron-AV Manila which has been producing award-winning documentary films on World War II since 2002.

Moreover, the biopic also comes with a book written by Desiree Ann Cua-Benipayo, a fervent advocate, researcher, student, and animated teacher on topics she is passionate about. The book, with the same title as the movie, is the most updated and comprehensive biography to date of the late patriot.

Aside from movie and book launching, another highlight of the commemoration program was the press conference and meet and greet with the cast led by Cepeda who portrayed Abad Santos.

During the event, Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago lauded the people behind the inspiring film for coming up with a story of Abad Santos’ bravery and loyalty to the Philippines by refusing to cooperate with the Japanese during their occupation.

“Thankfully, we have brilliant minds in the present who can give us a glimpse of what has happened back in the old times, back when our beloved hero struggled for the country. This will help us, especially the youth, fully understand what the act of heroism and patriotism truly is,” he said.

Born and raised in San Fernando, Pampanga at the turn of the 20th century, Abad Santos was influenced by the struggles of war to become a protector of the innocent and devoted his early years studying to become a lawyer.

He accomplished his goal by practicing law, and later on, contributed his skills and wisdom through public service, achieving one of the cleanest and most outstanding careers in the history of Philippine government.

When World War II broke out in the Philippines, the Commonwealth government was forced to exile, and only Abad Santos remained as the delegate of President Quezon himself. He coordinated with the free authorities and the military in Visayas until he was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army in April 1942.

The Japanese interrogated Abad Santos persistently, but his incorruptible spirit never faltered. On May 1, 1942, he was executed in Malabang, Lanao Del Norte, Mindanao for refusing to collaborate with the Japanese.

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