Bato (2019)

Interesting facts

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. Produced by ALV Films and Benchingko Films within the span of two months and distributed by Regal Entertainment, Bato was released in theaters on January 30, 2019, which became controversial for its timing near the campaign period of the 2019 Senate election, in which the actual dela Rosa was a senatorial candidate. Both Padilla and dela Rosa would eventually serve as senators together in the Philippine Senate.

Development and marketing

Bato was produced by ALV Films, a production company established by talent manager Arnold L. Vegafria, and Benchingko Films, the production outfit of the clothing brand Bench.

In early December 2018, Ronald dela Rosa began meeting with the film's writers, expressing 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., a filmmaker known for his independently-produced drama films.

Padilla was first approached by Jayke Joson at the request of senator Manny Pacquiao about starring in a film about dela Rosa. According to Padilla, Bato was the first film to feature him crying in order to portray dela Rosa's emotional side.

None of the film's marketing material credit the film's crew members other than the director and two lead actors.

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