Ilustrado

The life of Filipino hero Jose Rizal may be well documented and studied at most schools and several adaptations have been made as well, but most of these material failed to show Rizal as a person almost everyone can relate to. Because he is the national hero, most people put him on a different level and view him with awe and wonder but usually without the camaraderie and compassion we reserve for those we think are so like ourselves. In this 20-episode historical drama, Pepe is more human than any other movie or documentary which talked about his life. Although he was gifted with extraordinary skills, had a slightly better status than most of his fellowmen, and an understanding of things which put his ideas ahead of his time, he was also once a boy, an overseas student and a worker who struggled with homesickness and poverty, and a young man who fell in love.

Jose Rizal during his execution; played by Alden Richards

GMA Network already proved it can deliver when it comes to historical drama with their previous series such as Amaya and Katipunan. Ilustrado is no different in its quality and intensity from beginning to end. Rizal and history fans will certainly enjoy this. And with the quality of the series, even the opening theme and its graphics, how can you complain about quality? We need more programs like this not because of it's about the Philippines, but because most of the series nowadays are predictable and repetitive in its themes. This was a refreshing break from all the mediocre romance series in the Philippines.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Staff and Cast:

Directed by King Mark Baco

Executive Producer: Jason Bernard Santos

GMA Network

Aired October 20, 2014 to November 14, 2014

Alden Richards as José Rizal

Kylie Padilla as Leonor Rivera 

Solenn Heussaff as Nellinda Boustead

Eula Valdez as Teodora Alonzo y Mercado

Jaclyn Jose as Conchita Monteverde

David Bianco as Charles Kipping

Polo Ravales as Venchito Monteverde

Lito Legaspi as Padre Amado

Freddie Webb as Don Jose Alberto

Ricardo Cepeda as Francisco Mercado

Marco Alcaraz as Paciano Mercado

Max Collins as Consuelo Ortiga

JC Tiuseco as Antonio Luna
Lucho Ayala as Jose Alejandrino
Bryan Benedict as Juan Luna
Jak Roberto as Maximo Viola

Rhen Escaño as Isidra Monteverde
Mailes Kanapi as Doña Teodora Formoso
Sue Prado as Saturnina
Junjun Quintana
Elle Ramirez as Pepe and Paciano's Sister
Lirah Bermudez as Corazon Somera
Alicia Alonzo as Doña Josefina Gracia
Daisy Barredo as Remedios

Jhiz Deocareza as Young José Rizal
Sean Ross as Young Venchito Monteverde
Sid Lucero as Andres Bonifacio (from Katipunan)
Glaiza de Castro as Gregoria de Jesus (from Katipunan)
Benjamin Alves as Sebastian (from Katipunan)