Bato (The General Ronald dela Rosa Story)

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.

Bato (The General Ronald dela Rosa Story)
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Adolfo B. Alix Jr.
Based on	Life of Ronald dela Rosa
Produced by	Arnold Vegafria
Starring	Robin Padilla Beauty Gonzalez
Production companies	ALV Films Benchingko Films
Distributed by	Regal Entertainment
Release date	January 30, 2019 (2019-01-30)
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino

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 as Nancy dela Rosa
  • Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez as young Nancy
• Joko Diaz as a terrorist
• Polo Ravales as a terrorist
• Rocco Nacino as a terrorist
• Alfred Vargas 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 as an NPA leader
• Dindo Arroyo as an NPA leader
• Val Iglesia as an NPA leader
• Kiko Matos as an NPA
• Ping Medina as an NPA informer
• Archie Alemania as a police officer
• Rendon Labador as a police officer
• John Arcilla as P/Dir. Gen. Ricardo Marquez
• Efren Reyes Jr. as Mayor Rodrigo Duterte
• Allan Paule as Governor
• Mark Anthony Fernandez as Bongbong Marcos
• Jong Cuenco as Pastor Apollo Quiboloy

Development and marketing

In early December 2018, Ronald dela Rosa 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.^[1] He also has expressed his preference to have the film focus on his biography rather than his romance with his wife in particular.^[2] Bato was directed by Adolfo Alix Jr.^[3]

Padilla was first approached by Jayke Joson at the request of senator Manny Pacquiao about starring in a film about dela Rosa.^[4]

None of the film's marketing material credit the film's crew members other than the director and two lead actors.^[3][5][6][7]

Release

Bato premiered at the SM Megamall in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong on January 30, 2019, with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in attendance.^[8]

Controversy

Bato has caused controversy for being released at the time dela Rosa was a candidate for the 2019 Philippine Senate election. 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.^[8][9][10]

See also

• "Steak", a television episode about Christopher "Bong" Go, a candidate for the 2019 senate election
• "Tatlong Henerasyon ng Sipag at Tiyaga", a television episode about the family of Cynthia Villar, a candidate for the 2019 senate election