CinemaBravo

Senator Bam Aquino attended a screening of the film on Friday at a cinema in Mandaluyong, alongside Edjop’s daughter, Joyette, nephew Redg Plopinio, and representatives of various youth organizations.

Starring Elijah Canlas as Edjop, Jodi Sta. Maria as Joyette, and Frankie Pangilinan as Edjop’s wife, Joy, ‘EDJOP’ follows Edjop’s transformation from a student leader and activist into a revolutionary during the Martial Law era.

Before the screening, Aquino recalled Edjop’s influence among student leaders in the 1990s. Having served as student council president at Ateneo de Manila University, Aquino said stories about Edjop’s life and involvement in the student movement shaped their understanding of leadership and public service.

“Marami ang nagsakripisyo ng kanilang buhay at kinabukasan para sa bayan tulad ni Edjop. Puwede niyang piliing mamuhay nang tahimik ngunit ginusto niyang tahakin ang mas mahirap na landas – ang panindigan ang kanyang prinsipyo at labanan ang diktadura,” he said.

(Many sacrificed their lives and futures for the country, like Edjop. He could have chosen to live a quiet life, but he chose to take the more difficult path—to stand by his principles and fight the dictatorship.)

He said the movie, which he described as a “love letter to the student movement”, is an opportunity to bring Edjop’s story to more Filipinos, particularly young people.

He also urged non-government organizations (NGOs) and other groups to help promote the film. He also emphasized the importance of supporting Philippine cinema that tells meaningful stories and shares them with the Filipino people.

“Kailangang ipagpatuloy nating ikuwento ang istorya ng ating mga martir at mga bayani. Kumuha tayo ng lakas sa kanilang determinasyon at katatagan ng loob habang hinaharap natin ang sarili nating mga hamon,” said Sen. Bam, who also joined rallies against Martial Law as early as 8 years old.

(We must continue telling the stories of our martyrs and heroes. Let us draw strength from their determination and courage as we face our own challenges.)

A prominent student leader before Martial Law, Edjop was an Ateneo High School valedictorian and became president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines. He gained national attention after confronting then-President Ferdinand Marcos in 1970 and demanding that he not seek a third term.

Edjop later joined the underground movement and was arrested and tortured in 1979. He documented his experiences in an “Open Letter to the Filipino People,” which became an important document in the human rights campaign during the Marcos Sr. era.

In 1982, Edjop was captured during a military raid in Davao City. He was shot while attempting to escape and died the following day, a decade after the declaration of Martial Law.

In a Facebook post, Redg Plopinio, nephew of EdJop, also thanked Sen. Bam for the support. “Sen. Bam Aquino, Maraming salamat sa suporta at sa pag-sponsor ng block screening, at higit sa lahat, sa paglalaan ng oras para mapanood ang EDJOP sa gitna ng iyong busy schedule at mga Senate hearings.”

(Sen. Bam Aquino, thank you very much for your support and for sponsoring the block screening, and most of all, for making time to watch EDJOP despite your busy schedule and Senate hearings.)

“Hatid namin ang pelikulang ito bilang paggunita kay Edjop at sa mga taong nagpasyang lumaban at ialay ang kanilang buhay noong panahon ng Martial Law. Para rin ito sa mga naiwan—at sa isang bansang unti-unting nakakalimot. Ang pag-alala ay ating pakikibaka. #NeverForget,” Redg added.

(We bring this film as a remembrance of Edjop and the people who chose to fight and offer their lives during Martial Law. It is also for those who were left behind—and for a country that is gradually forgetting. Remembering is our struggle. #NeverForget)

“Thank you Senator Bam Aquino for supporting EDJOP,” said Jodi in her Facebook post.

The film is produced by Open Water Productions and The Mad Goats Inc., in association with Narra Post-Production Studios by Wildsound. “Edjop” is written, produced, and directed by Katski Flores, with Joyette Jopson serving as producer.