| Ako si Ninoy | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Vincent Tañada |
| Written by | Vincent Tañada |
| Based on | Ako Si Ninoy by Vince Tañada |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Manuel Abanto |
| Edited by | Mark Jason Sucgang |
| Music by | Pipo Cifra |
Production company | Philstagers Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
Ako si Ninoy (I Am Ninoy) is a 2022 Filipinomusicaldrama andbiographical film written and directed by Vincent Tañada.Adapted from Tañada's 2008stage play of the same name, it focuses on the lives of 11 Filipinos which draw parallels to the life ofNinoy Aquino. It starsJuan Karlos Labajo, Sarah Holmes, and an ensemble cast ofJohnrey Rivas,Marlo Mortel, Cassy Legaspi,Joaquin Domagoso,Nicole Laurel Asensio, JM Yosures, Adelle Ibarrientos, Vean Olmedo, Jomar Tañada, Brae Luke Quirante, andBodjie Pascua.
The film was premiered at thePower Plant Mall on February 18, 2022 and theatrically released on February 22, 2023. It is the second stage play adapted by Vincent Tañada to film, followingKatips.
The original musical stage play was written by Vincent Tañada and commissioned byCorazon Aquino through the Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Foundation (now the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation) in 2009.[1][2] It was released shortly after herdeath in August 2009.[3] Tañada said in a speech at the film's premiere that Aquino specifically requested that that Tañada "[should not] write only about us [the Aquino family]. Write also about our people."[1] The stage play had over 500 shows all over the Philippines.[4] Tañada decided to create a film adaptation of his stage play in 2022 as a response to theproliferation of historical distortion within the Philippines.[4][5] He intended to make the film available for younger audiences to combat the increasing distortion against Aquino.[5]
The stage play was originally developed together with historians, academics, and Corazon Aquino herself prior to her death.[5] In writing the film, Tañada consulted historianMichael "Xiao" Chua, archivist Karl Patrick Suyat of Project Gunita, andRebecca Quijano, who witnessed Aquino's assassination, to ensure the accuracy of scenes depicting historical events regarding Aquino, such as hisassassination and his sentencing by a military commission to death.[4][5][6] According to Chua, inaccuracies remained in the final film but the most important details were preserved.[6]
Tañada considered actorsPiolo Pascual andJericho Rosales before choosingJuan Karlos Labajo to play Aquino in the film.[4] Tañada chose Labajo to play the role of Aquino due to his young age and prior experience in singing.[4][7] Pipo Cifra, a graduate of theUniversity of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music, was chosen by Tañada as the composer of the film. Cifra earlier collaborated with Tañada forKatips, a similar film detailing the life of activists duringMarcos' martial law regime.[8] Tañada served as the lyricist for the musical's songs, with the exception ofBuwan, which was written and released by Labajo in 2018 and performed using a different rendition for the film.[8]
In his premiere speech, Tañada also recalled attending thefuneral of Ninoy Aquino as a child, who clung to the fabric of Aquino's hearse after being separated from his father.[1] This scene is depicted in the movie, with Tañada's son, Peter Parker Tañada, playing as his father's younger self.[9]
The film was premiered at thePower Plant Mall on February 18, 2022. Its premiere was attended by Aquino's daughterViel Aquino-Dee [tl], her son,Francis Joseph “Kiko” Aquino Dee, and Aquino's nephewBam Aquino.[3][10] At the premiere, Bam Aquino highlighted the importance of the film, noting the prevalence of disinformation regarding Ninoy Aquino.[10]
The film was theatrically released on February 22, 2023. It was released exactly a week before the releases of two other historical films related to Ferdinand Marcos:Oras de Peligro, which tells the story of an impoverished family during the People Power Revolution, andMartyr or Murderer.[3][11]
| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 40th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Indie Movie Musical Scorer of the Year | Pipo Cifra | Won | [12] |