“Heneral Luna” actor Jeffrey “Epy” Quizon is puzzled: What are college students studying in their Philippine history classes?

Quizon, who portrays national hero Apolinario Mabini in Jerrold Tarog’s acclaimed historical epic, recently shared on Facebook that a group of college students had asked him why his character was sitting down throughout the movie.

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He wonders: Do they even know Mabini?

READ: Apolinario Mabini vs General Luna

“Ano kaya ang itinuturo Sa history classes ng (mga) bata ngayon? May lumapit nga sakin grupo ng college students asking bakit lagi ako nakaupo? Ang tanong ko lang…Hindi niyo kilala Si (Mabini)?” Quizon said in a comment on his Facebook post.

(What are kids being taught in their history classes today? A group of college students approached me and asked me why I was always sitting down [in the movie]. My question … don’t you know [Apolinario] Mabini?)

Some netizens weighed in on the actor’s comment, joking that Mabini may just have been tired or lazy.

Mabini, highly regarded for his intellect, served as the country’s first prime minister and minister of foreign affairs and as an adviser to President Emilio Aguinaldo. He is referred to as the “Brains of the Revolution.”

The hero was afflicted with polio in 1895; he was unable to move on his own by January 1896.

Despite his disability, he continued serving the Philippines in his capacity as a government official and negotiated the country’s independence with the United States. With the talks failed, he supported war against Americans and was subsequently exiled to Guam in 1901.

In 1903, Mabini died of cholera upon his return to Manila at the age of 38.

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Despite his puzzlement, Quizon thanked everyone who watched the film.

“We have been receiving much gratitude and praise for the success of ‘Heneral Luna.’ I just want to say that it is you guys who should be receiving the biggest Thank you from the bottom of our hearts… Thank you for choosing to be part of this revolution… and to the netizens who voiced out and stood side by side with us… [I] salute you all… Viva Revolucion!!!” he said.

Heneral Luna is now on its third week in cinemas and has been picked as the country’s entry to the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 2016 Oscars. AJH/IDL

READ: ‘Heneral Luna,’ best PH film in years, worthy of global audience | ‘Heneral Luna’ picked as PH’s 2016 Oscars bet

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