‘If her fight then was against colonizers, her fight now is against the possibility of being forgotten.’ Thus said Lovi Poe, who plays Ka Oriang in the meta-docu-fiction film ‘Lakambini: Gregoria de Jesús,’ out in theaters starting November 5, timed perfectly with Gregoria de Jesús’ 150th birth anniversary.
Directed by Arjanmar H. Rebeta and Jeffrey Jeturian, the film revisits Oriang’s life, her role in the Katipunan, and her relationships with Andres Bonifacio and Julio Nakpil. It blends history and fiction to explore memory, legacy, and identity.
‘Thank you for giving space to Ka Oriang in your stories,’ Poe said in a video message during the film’s special screening at the UP Film Institute. ‘Her struggle still feels close to home today, when truth is often challenged.’
That struggle, Poe added, continues to inspire, especially with the recent filing of the Lakambini Bill (House Bill 5332), which seeks to institutionalize the study of female Filipino heroes in schools nationwide. ‘That’s why the bill is so meaningful and timely,’ she said. ‘It’s a form of justice for those whom justice has overlooked.’
‘To our leaders,’ Poe continued, ‘sana’y patuloy nating bantayan ang ating collective memory as fiercely as we guard our freedom. May we remember what Ka Oriang and the Katipunan stood for: truth, dignity, and equality for all. Let’s keep her story alive.’
Heroism isn’t just for men
For Rocco Nacino, who portrays Andres Bonifacio, working on the film left a deep personal impact.
‘You’ll see the nuances in how he looked at Ka Oriang. It’s like he’s saying, ‘Okay, ‘di lang pala lalaki ang kayang gumawa nito.’ His admiration for his partner, and for women in general, is clear,’ he shared.
‘Heroism isn’t just for men,’ he added. ‘We all see it now; the movement for women empowerment is strong. We should respect that.’ The role, he said, also changed how he views his own relationships. ‘Kayang lumevel ng mga babae. Now that I’m a husband and a father, nagbago din ang tingin ko sa asawa ko. Hindi tayo aabot dito kung wala tayong partner na tumutulong sa atin. It goes both ways.’
How the past shapes the present
Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, who produced the film under Pelikulove, said ‘Lakambini’ isn’t just a tribute to a female hero. It is also a reflection on how the past shapes the present. ‘Much has been said about the fight for women, but through Ka Oriang, we also revisit the past,’ she said.
Citing National Artist Ricky Lee, she shared: ‘He always tells his students, ‘Kapag may problema kayo sa kasalukuyan, tumingin kayo sa nakaraan para mahanap ninyo ang solution.’ I hope this film becomes a gateway to that kind of reflection.’
Ongkeko-Marfil added that the film reframes familiar narratives. ‘We often see Andres as mayabang, but here, you’ll see a different side of him. It’s really about reframing the past-and asking, what is the truth there?’
She believes this message is crucial for the youth. ‘Many young people today feel lost,’ she said. ‘Maybe they’ll find inspiration here, after seeing that there was greatness in the past, that they can draw strength from it.’
‘Lakambini’ also attempts to ask: what makes a hero? ‘We know Andres Bonifacio, but how well do we know Oriang? Is heroism about going to war-or is it about vision, compassion, and values? Women bring different experiences, and they complete the story,’ she pointed out.
And with ‘Lakambini,’ Ongkeko-Marfil hopes audiences finally remember Oriang not just as Bonifacio’s wife, but as a hero in her own right