Screengrab from Joaquin Bautista

The filmmakers behind the upcoming historical biopic “Quezon” have responded to criticism from Enrique “Ricky” Quezon Avanceña — a grandson of President Manuel L. Quezon — following his comments after the film’s screening.

Avanceña expressed his disappointment over how the movie portrayed his grandfather, saying some parts did not reflect the late president’s true character. He shared that while the production was commendable, he felt “the film could have represented Quezon’s legacy with greater accuracy and dignity.”

His comments, which surfaced both during the post-screening discussion and on social media, sparked a wave of reactions from viewers and netizens. Some agreed that the portrayal seemed dramatized, while others defended the filmmakers’ artistic interpretation and the film’s goal to humanize the country’s second president.

In response, TBA Studios — the production company behind “Quezon” — released a statement standing by the film’s historical grounding.

“While we respect and understand his sentiments, we wish to reiterate that the film is grounded in verified historical accounts, including President Quezon’s own writings and other reputable sources,” the statement read.

The studio acknowledged taking creative liberties “for thematic and narrative purposes,” but maintained that the movie’s core facts are “easily verifiable through public records, online research, or library resources.”

They added that the film aims to encourage historical reflection and open discussion among audiences.

“We encourage everyone to watch the movie so they can form their own opinions and join the ongoing conversation about our history and how it continues to resonate today,” the filmmakers said.

TBA Studios concluded by expressing hope that Quezon will “inspire meaningful dialogue, reflection, and a deeper appreciation of our nation’s past.”