Lovi Poe’s ‘Lakambini,’ a new kind of heroine

November 5 ------ “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's 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.”

Source: inquirer.net