Historical Dramas Club

I love historical, but I am not much of joiner in clubs, or I do join but I tend to be the non active member. But I wanna share something cause my nationalistic side was pricked when the the Philippines had a Question mark (?) regarding our historical drama on it. Though I guess it is understandable, the Philippines doesn't really do much historical, we have a few memorable films but the dramas/series can easily be counted and as easily be forgotten.

Anyway here is to introducing  to one of our historical drama:

Synopsis:
Ilustrado is a step back in time during Jose Rizal's childhood, his colorful travels in Europe, his adventures in love and all the sacrifices that he made for the love of his country. José Rizal needed to leave his family to fulfill his studies and career abroad, while also suffering from homesickness, and enduring a long-distance relationship with the woman he loved. He comes back home and uses the knowledge and skills he learned abroad to help improve the lives of his family and countrymen.

Historical Background:
Jose Rizal is the National Hero of the Filipino people. He lived during the Spanish Occupation period (late in the 1800's).  He was a doctor, a polymath, a polyglot, alleged lady's man and a novelist  and a key member of the Filipino Propaganda Movement, which advocated political reforms for the Philippines under Spain.

His vision and cry for reform with other fellow learned countrymen was seen as a form of crime of rebellion.  He wrote two novels,  Noli Me Tángere   (Touch Me Not) and  El filibusterismo  (Filibuster/The Reign of Greed), was seen as part of the propaganda against Spanish reign. But at present those, novels are nationally used as a source material for learning here in the Philippines. I personally love those novels, El Fili more than Noli, mainly because I loved the duality and the deeper characterization of MC.

He was executed by the Spanish colonial government for the crime of rebellion, and his death  further fueled the Himagsikan (Philippine revolution). The Spanish Ruled the Philippines for 333 until 1898, 2 years after his death. He lived by the pen and died fighting and loving my country.

His last written work was Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell) was like a love letter/poem for my country. the first part goes like this:

"My Last Farewell" 
Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed,
Pearl of the Orient Sea, our Eden lost,
With gladness I give you my life, sad and repressed;
And were it more brilliant, more fresh and at its best,
I would still give it to you for your welfare at most.

The original Ilustrados, where this drama's title was taken is about a group of Filipino educated class during the Spanish colonial period in the late 19th century, They were the middle class who were educated in Spain and exposed to Spanish liberal and European nationalist ideals. Jose Rizal, along with other national heroes like Graciano López Jaena, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Mariano Ponce, Antonio Luna, are part of this group.

 About the Drama:

the drama stars Alden Richards playing Jose Rizal

And it tells the story of his life, family, childhood, education, love, dreams, his passions and his love for the Philippines and wanting for reform for his fellow Filipino people.

The drama also shows the traditions and the culture and the history that is part that shaped what the Philippines is today.

and here are some of the stills from the drama:

As a Historical lover, I have always felt envious with other countries procreations or reimagined representation in dramas/movies of their history. Thus it was so satisfying when they had mentioned that one of our local networks was going to do a historical drama, and it was none other than for the brilliant José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda. I don't know how to explain enough, how satisfying it was to know that his life was shown in a drama like this. Jose Rizal lived a life that inspires and makes my heart beat so darn hard for my country, yet also cry and weep for the brilliant person we lost in him, he was just too young at 35 y/o to leave this world. Also sometimes I always wonder, What would Jose Rizal think of our present country, we have the independence, we have our land,  but what of our Eden that he environed for this land.

Anyway That is what I am sharing or this Historical drama club. A glimpse and light on the Man we call National Hero, Jose Rizal. 

This drama also gives a glimpse of our cultures, our traditions, and the influences that shaped and influenced the Philippines that it is today. 

...also the network that made this drama, has two other historical dramas: Amaya and Katipunan (Trans: Assembly). and coined a term BayaniSerye, or Hero Series (Bayani = Hero, Serye = Series)

...images are not mine.

 Poia:

is there a historical drama that focus on slaying people to get the throne instead of turning the plot into political talks!?!?!

You might like My Country: The New Age. It's way more on the action side than political talks. 

 Estelll:

OMG these are so beautiful!!!!!!!!!! :o

And so professional, omg!! ❤️❤️❤️

I'm happy to hear you like them. :) I'm doing graphic editing for a couple years now as a hobby. Far from professional though. xD 

 Estelll:

By the way, which drama, if any, is the picture for this one from?

I wish I could tell you but I don't know. My guess is that it is either some fanart for a drama or an original drawing. I found it among some other photos on pinterest. Here's the original photo, there's something written on the bottom (which I can't read), maybe that helps? 

https://i.imgur.com/57Jnjdw.jpg

Edit: Found it. It's a cover image for a manga for Touken Ranbu. This is the original artist. 

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/52661542

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/50312447 (click on See all and scroll down for the image)

 Luna Skylar:

Yayy!! This seems really interesting. I'll definitely be popping by to see what's new haha. Historical Dramas are what got me into my drama addiction in the first place so they have a special place in my heart :D

Hello my friend & welcome!! 

I'm exactly the same as you, I also got addicted to Asian Dramas thanks to their historicals, firstly the Korean sageuks, then I got into the Chinese ones!! 

I always liked period series/movies way before I've even heard about the Asian ones, so it was a natural transition for me, and a way to learn about other cultures & countries' histories! :)

 MusicalVeggies:

Fansubber's site is MUSE but I was told 'Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat' is also on Netflix (not sure which region). It is also apparently on Dimsum Entertainment and meWATCH. The MDL page for this lakorn has the links under 'Where to Watch'. Enjoy!

The only link that works for me is the YouTube one, but it doesn't have subs. I'll try to find Muse fansubbers, thanks!! ^_^

 moonchild:

I wish I could tell you but I don't know. My guess is that it is either some fanart for a drama or an original drawing. I found it among some other photos on pinterest. Here's the original photo, there's something written on the bottom (which I can't read), maybe that helps?

https://i.imgur.com/57Jnjdw.jpg

Edit: Found it. It's a cover image for a manga for Touken Ranbu. This is the original artist.

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/52661542

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/50312447 (click on See all and scroll down for the image)

 moonchild:

Have made 3 more banners and badges. I don't plan to do more for now. I'm open to requests if someone wants a badge/banner with a specific drama though. ^^

Banners:

https://i.imgur.com/cXnoIKF.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/e4v46kg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3BBcmQj.jpg

Badges:

https://i.imgur.com/2DTZnuy.png

https://i.imgur.com/oA8RC0f.png

https://i.imgur.com/01JITMr.png

Thank you, and THANK YOU!! ♥ ♥ ♥ 

I added them in banners section!!

 moonchild:

It's my pleasure. *hugs* Let me know if I can help with anything else like looking for articles that feature historical dramas or people for example. :)

Thanks @moonchild for the lovely badges :)

 WandereR:

Thank you for sharing a very inspiring part of the history of the Philippines  :)

The drama sounds very interesting indeed and the stills beautifully capture the raw emotions that you described.

Looking forward to more of your sharing of insights into your beautiful country ^^ 

Jose Rizal really is one person that as a Filipino, I feel that embodies what a Hero is as well as c person that is very good character study. 

I do hope that I can share more of our country and history through dramas, especially since Ilustrado was the drama that was shot beautifully, with the costumes as well as the backdrop. I had wished more dramas would follow suit, and they would make more historicals cause we do have a rich culture from our pre-spanish history, our different origins, and such, but sadly I only know of 3 historicals, and those are the ones I've mentioned. I think production cost is an actual driver of it, customes and backdrop does cost a lot of money.

@Estell

No need for apologies and don't worry about it. As I've said it is understandable cause we do not do much historicals. and frankly some of our dramas, the primetimes ones are not to my taste.  I do tend to not watch local series because of many many many reasons. Though the number 1 reason is the length. Our dramas tend to be soo long, due to production having the thought process that when you have a hit show, it needs to have a longer story. Thus it feels like its never ending and doesn't give a satisfactory payoff. it is very tedious to watch that way. 

Anyway, I think it was actually mean to be that way, so that in some way I can share about the show as well our National Hero and some part of history. 

As for where to watch  it, frankly I don't know it there are sites that catered international broadcast to Ilustrado, and also I have no clue if there are subs available.  as for our other dramas, Netflix has some, though the only one I can recommend would probably be A Love to Last, I was able to watch it during this pandemic.  its a modern drama and the poster doesn't look good, But I personally enjoyed it, and it has been soo long since I have fully watched a pinoy teleserye. another way is TFC, I think its the site for one of our broadcasting station that caters to our citizens that live abroad. I don't really recommend you subscribe to it, since they only show all Pinoy Shows and on top of it only shows from one channel. There are probably some sites out there that carry our dramas, but as I am not really a good source for it, since I do seldom watch our local shows.