''Bato (The General Ronald dela Rosa Story)'' is a 2019 Filipino biographical action film directed by Adolfo Alix Jr., starring Robin Padilla as the titular police official.

Cast

* Robin Padilla as Gen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa ** Kiko Estrada as PMA cadet Bato **Ryle Paolo Santiago as teenage Bato **Miguel Vergara as child Bato *

Beauty Gonzalez Christine Marie Luche Gonzalez-Crisologo (; born 28 May 1991), professionally known as Beauty Gonzalez, is a Filipina actress from Dumaguete City. Biography Beauty Gonzalez was born as Christine Marie Gonzalez in Dumaguete City to Carina Luc ...

as Nancy dela Rosa **Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez as young Nancy *

Joko Diaz Francisco Gutierrez Diaz Jr. (born February 13, 1968), better known by his Stage name, screen name Joko Diaz, is a Filipino actor and action star. Diaz is regarded as one of the country's leading action stars. He has won two Luna Award, FAP A ...

as a terrorist * Polo Ravales as a terrorist *Ali Forbes *Chanel Morales * Monsour del Rosario as a police officer *Jake Joson as a negotiator * Ricky Davao as Doro dela Rosa * Gina Alajar as Anesia dela Rosa *

Dennis Roldan Mitchell Yap Gumabao Sr. (; born 8 December 1956), better known as Dennis Roldan, is a Filipino former actor, College basketball, basketball player, businessman, and congressman. Career Basketball Before entering show business, he was a basketb ...

as an NPA leader *Dindo Arroyo as an NPA leader *Val Iglesia as an NPA leader * Ping Medina as an NPA informer * Archie Alemania as a police officer * Efren Reyes Jr. as Mayor Rodrigo Duterte *

Allan Paule Allan Paule De Guzman (born January 1, 1970 in Cebu City), better known as Allan Paule, is a Filipino actor who appeared in more than 100 movies and television series. He also unsuccessfully ran for councilor of Muntinlupa from the 1st district ...

as Governor

Development and marketing

In early December 2018,

Ronald dela Rosa Ronald Marapon dela Rosa (born January 21, 1962), also known as Bato, is a Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one ...

expressed his desire for Robin Padilla and Sharon Cuneta to respectively play him and his wife Nancy if ever a film is made about him. He also has expressed his preference to have the film focus on his biography rather than his romance with his wife in particular. ''Bato'' was directed by Adolfo Alix Jr. None of the film's marketing material credit the film's crew members other than the director and two lead actors.

Release

''Bato'' premiered at the

SM Megamall SM Megamall, simply known as Megamall, is the third largest shopping mall in the Philippines and the thirteenth largest in the world that is developed and operated by SM Prime Holdings. It is located in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Philippi ...

Ortigas Center Ortigas Center is a central business district located within the joint boundaries of Pasig, Mandaluyong and Quezon City, within the Metro Manila region in the Philippines. With an area of more than , it is Metro Manila's second most important bu ...

, Mandaluyong on January 30, 2019, with Philippine President

Rodrigo Duterte Rodrigo Roa Duterte (, ; born March 28, 1945), also known as Digong, Rody, and by the initials DU30 and PRRD, is a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the 16th president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He is the chairperson ...

in attendance.

Controversy

''Bato'' has caused controversy for being released at the time dela Rosa was a candidate for the

2019 Philippine Senate election The 2019 election of members to the Senate of the Philippines was the 33rd election of members to the Senate of the Philippines for a six-year term. It was held on May 13, 2019. The seats of 12 senators elected in 2013 were contested during thi ...

. The Commission on Elections has warned that dela Rosa could be disqualified if the film is still being aired in Philippine cinemas on February 12, 2019 or the official start of the campaign period for national candidates.

References

External links