A biographical movie revolving around the story of former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rolando “Bato” dela Rosa is in the offing. The film will be directed by the award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter Adolf Alix, Jr.
In an intimate lunch with the entertainment press held recently, Gen. Dela Rosa revealed the stars that he wanted to be part of the film. He said he’s choosing action star Robin Padilla and Sharon Cuneta to play the role of himself and his wife. He also wanted Anne Curtis to be in the film to play the young Sharon.
“I’m a fan of Robin and my wife is huge fan of Sharon,” he started.
“I want to the movie to inspire people especially the youth… na kahit galing ka sa mahirap, you could be somebody,” Gen. Bato added.
Instead of focusing on their love story, the former PNP chief wanted the plot to put emphasis on his hardships and challenges before he became the person he is today.
During our conversation with the bemedaled former PNP chief, he said he was born in Barangay Bato, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur and described his family as “dirt poor” as his father earned little money working as a tricycle driver.
When he was young, he worked as a fish market porter and bus conductor. He also did his classmates’ homework in exchange for lunch and used to walk eight kilometers daily from school to home.
“That’s what I like the film to highlight so the story can serve as an inspiration to many,” he said in Tagalog.
Dela Rosa studied at Bato Elementary School and Sta. Cruz National High School before attending Mindanao State University (MSU) to study for a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration. In 1982, he left MSU to join the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and graduated in 1986 as part of PMA Sinagtala class.
Dela Rosa was nicknamed “Bato” during his first assignment in Davao, when his upperclassmen likened his body to a rock.
“But it’s actually inspired by the place where I was born,” he shared.
Sources said that the film will be released before the campaign period starts in February. Gen. Dela Rosa is running for senator in the midterm elections under President Rodrigo Duterte’s political party.
In the event that he is elected to the Senate, the 52-year-old Dela Rosa said he would push for the reinstatement of death penalty for drug-related offenses.
Dela Rosa retired from the PNP in April after nearly two years at the forefront of the government’s war on drugs.