WRITER: Jeremi Handrinos/A.J. Devlin DATE: 1/29/03 EL GENERAL CONCEPT: FERDINAND CORTEZ began his life as a meek Military School student and blossomed into the most powerful General in the history of the Philippines. His career, spanning over six decades, is a tumultuous one -- but is always anchored by the love and loyalty of his childhood friend and right hand man, EMILIO VASQUEZ. The story is an epic that spans over three generations from 1919 until 1986. Taking place between the magnificent Architecture of Spain to the volcanic peaks and jungle canopies of the Philippines during World-War-Two. It delves deep into the ancient struggle between the spirit (love and loyalty) and the physical (wealth and material). Of one man's desire to know what being alive is really about. Of how he plans to build a strong home and family using that knowledge he has gained in life. THEME: The greatest love of all may be that which we can never admit. Sometimes water is thicker than blood, and you never realize what you have until you no longer have it. The theme is very similar to the mythological story of Gilgamesh. The Fountain of youth is the knowledge that you give to your children. So, be careful what ideas you plant in them. TONE: A Historical Epic hybrid love-story/ Dramatic action adventure. PRINCIPAL CHARACTER: FERDINAND CORTEZ begins his military life at an elite prep school in Spain after his father concludes that he is frail and in need of training and discipline. Here Ferdinand forges a strong bond with another Philippine boy from a rich family, but not as rich as Ferdinands', EMILIO CORTEZ. In awe of Emilio's natural leadership and athletic abilities, Ferdinand gladly takes his place at Emilio's side. Emilio; is equally charmed by Ferdinand's generosity and individuality but when Emilio is captured during a battle, the hopes of a nation, and Emilio's freedom, fall to Ferdinand. Driven to save his friend and his country Ferdinand launches a successful rebellion which results not only in Emilio's freedom and the Philippines independence, but also a huge ceremonial raise in military rank -- making Ferdinand, Emilio's superior, and the Philippines highest General. Despite a bit of initial friction and surprise, Ferdinand and Emilio become one another's soul mates again. Which allows them to weather a variety of conflicts over the decades that will follow? ACT I: The film begins with a spectacular party at a wealthy family's home in the Philippines. We learn it is the great General Ferdinand Cortez's birthday and house, but he is ill and unable to take part in most of the day and evening's festivities. Ferdinand; is visited while resting in bed by his oldest grandson, EDMUND, who proudly shows off his new military uniform to his grandfather. We learn that Edmund and his good friend PETER have officially enrolled in the same Military school together. Ferdinand begins to tell Edmund the story of his life ... While the party continues raging inside and outside of the house. They are oblivious and wading through the thick and cherished memories of his Ferdinand's past. A moment of imaginative story time escape occurs between the grandfather and young man. We meet young Ferdinand, 12, as he arrives at a wealthy Military prep school in Spain. Most of the other boys are Spanish and white -- but Ferdinand notices one other Philippine boy, Emilio Cortez. Emilio is taller and more mature than most of the other boys, and a natural leader. His athleticism, charm, and charisma allow him to excel in all of the classes. Emilio takes notice of Ferdinand, but they do not speak. One day, during a Polo match, Ferdinand is being picked on relentlessly by a popular pack of boys. Much to everyone's surprise, Emilio comes to Ferdinand's aid, and fights off the bullies. Despite alienating himself from the popular boys, Emilio remains confident and takes the meek Ferdinand under his wing. The two become like brothers as they continue with their education at the exclusive military school. Yet there are sparks of adolescent curiosity and romance that arise during heated moments (i.e. such as when Ferdinand and Emilio are in wrestling in gym class together, and spotting for one another in gymnastics) The decide after graduation to travel Europe together. Just as it looks as if Ferdinand may be willing to explore, his love for his best friend, Emilio on their soon to be European adventure. Emilio's father dies tragically back in the Philippines while evacuating a small village at the base of an erupting volcano. Emilio returns home to the Philippines to deal with the loss, and provide emotional and physical support to his family. He takes a post of command there as a Lieutenant. Ferdinand not realizing the real reason why Emilio suddenly departed before their trip abroad in Europe and graduation deals with his feelings of heartache and abandonment. Ferdinand attends the graduation ceremonies by himself and returns home, where his parents set him up with a nice Catholic girl. Ferdinand gives into the pressure of an arranged marriage. To a wonderfully pleasant and beautiful young woman by the name of Mariposa, her family is also quite well to do. Her father helps secure Ferdinand a quaint administrative desk job. Now a lieutenant at a local Military outpost & warehouse near the family home. Things appear to be going perfectly for Ferdinand and his young pregnant bride Mariposa. Then the Japanese attack and WW two has started for the Philippines now also. Casting a fearful shadow over everyone's immediate future. Things seem to get better as America and General MaCarthur provide momentary support, but then MaCarthur is called away to a different part of the Pacific theater. Leaving the safety and well being of Philippines, in the hands of an uncourageous General James Wainwright. During a Good Friday celebration through the streets of Manila, Ferdinand receives word that Emilio, who has been leading a special forces platoon of men on the front line in the war against the Japanese, has been captured. Against the wishes of his family and just weeks from giving birth, wife, Ferdinand requests orders to head for the front lines determined to rescue Emilio and save his family and country. ACT II: Emilio arrives on the front lines of the war between American/Philippine forces and the Japanese. Although he and his comrades fight valiantly, the allied forces ultimately collapse under the rule of the incompetent and cowardly U.S. General Wainwright. The Japanese invade and conquer, but Ferdinand and a few soldiers escape into the vast deadly jungle and remote mountains. Here, at the brink of starvation and lost they meet the Atea, An ancient dark race of people indigenous to the area. The original inhabitants of the Philippine islands. Ferdinand discovers that they share a common enemy, the Japanese. Under Ferdinand's leadership, the AWOL soldiers and Atea begin a series of guerilla attacks on the Japanese forces. During one vicious attack, Ferdinand rescues Emilio from a POW camp. He is close to death, but still alive although almost unrecognizable. Stunned and touched by Ferdinand's rescue, Emilio struggles to maintain composure as he recovers. Ferdinand comforts him and learns valuable information from Emilio. Which they are able to pass onto the returning American forces led again by MaCarthur. The result of this leads to a successful bombing campaign, which drove the Japanese out of the Philippines. However, it has been nearly three years since Ferdinand or Emilio have been home, or had a decent night's rest and a warm meal. The nation finally at peace, Ferdinand is commended in a magnificent ceremony by the Philippine nation and America for his pivotal role in the war and immense act of courage. Although he yearns for Emilio to share in his new elevation of rank, General, Ferdinand realizes that duty has fallen to him. Despite a brief moment of initial jealousy, Emilio quickly pledges his allegiance and love to Ferdinand, and humbly accepts Ferdinand's request for a place at his side. He is now second in command to General Ferdinand. Ferdinand and Emilio return to Manila, where Emilio is momentarily shocked when he learns that Ferdinand has a wife and is a father. Ferdinand meets his son for the first time, Marcos now almost 3, but the reunion is bittersweet, as Ferdinand and Emilio are again called off to duty to help organize and clean up the effects of the war, and create a safer and more reliable political infrastructure for their country. Years pass as Ferdinand and Emilio build a new system and maintain peace in the Philippines, each doing their duty with honor, pride, and happiness. Loving their work and time spent being together. Ferdinand is hardly ever home, and Mariposa is forced two raise their now two children, Marcos, and Ida, practically by herself. Now in their forties, Ferdinand and Emilio learn of a new threat to their country -- communism. The NPA, or "Huk Bong," begin a campaign of anarchy and propaganda aimed at capturing the rebellious nature and curiosity of the Philippine youth. A movement which Ferdinand and Emilio are determined to put an end to. Between raids upon the hideouts of suspected communist sympathizers providing sanctuary to wanted men and the increasing arrests of terrorists and martyrs, Ferdinand and Emilio are aware that they could well be facing their greatest threat yet. During this time of crisis, Ferdinand has little time for his family, particularly his son, MARCO, now on the brink of adulthood, and always at his mother's side and beckoned call. With his mother's blessing, Marco soon enrolls in the Constabulary (A military police unit), much to the surprise of Ferdinand and Emilio, who expected Marco to join the military as they had. Nevertheless, Ferdinand is very supportive of his bright son, who is aloof and appears to be bent on following an agenda of his own. Queerly, Marco rises quickly through the ranks of the Constabulary, and develops a reputation as a corrupt and ruthless aggressor with a short fuse and a twisted sense of authority. Although Ferdinand dismisses such rumors as here-say, Emilio, secretly pays more attention to them and begins an investigation of his own into Marco's real position and motives inside of the Constabulary, but finds nothing but unfriendly walls. All guarded by Mariposa, Ferdinand's wife, which strikes Emilio as incredulous, and hopefully just weirdly coincidental. Ironically, at this time there is an underground resurgence of the communist threat known as the NPA (New People's Army) joining up with the "Huk Bong". Again confronted against well-armed fanatical communists, Ferdinand thrusts himself into a hunt to find those that would oppose his presently Democratic Philippine government with their red coupe de ta. His aggressive tactics and constant pressure force the NPA to make a risky and brazen assassination attempt against Ferdinand's life. Emilio catches wind of it and saves Ferdinand's life in the nick of time, but Ferdinand thinks his son Marco is the one that saved his life, because that's how it looked from his perspective. Emilio allows him to continue believing that, because he feels sorry that it is the only common bond that exists between the father and son. Now Marco senses something is up between his father and Emilio, knows that Emilio is the only thing standing in his way. ACT THREE: Emilio refuses to leave Ferdinand's side as he struggles to stay alive in the hospital. This does not escape the curious eyes of Marcos either. He senses the deep bond between these two men. The taboo tainted innuendoes and revelations stir about his imagination making him seethe with rage, jealousy and resentment towards Emilio and his father. Despite several close calls, Ferdinand stabilizes and eventually fully recovers. Although he is permanently handicapped with a weakened right arm, and complete memory loss of the event. Other than the self-obsessed and desired memory to believe that, his son saved his life. Everyone knew though that it was Emilio in fact that saved Ferdinand's life, publicly, that is. Due to closely analyzed photography and film footage of the botched attempt. In fact upon closer inspection, One can clearly see Emilio heroically knocking the General out of the way a second before the assassin fired his gun. Then as the assassin is being taken down, he is trying to say something about someone 'important' to the crowd when Marco savagely delivers a fatal blow to the perpetrator. He dies in Marco's arms, and the men share a strange moment. Enraged, Emilio leads a brutal campaign in order to find out who is responsible for the attempt on his Ferdinand's life. After much bloodshed, Emilio tracks down the head of the NPA -- who promises to tell Emilio who plotted the attack if Emilio will spare his life, and grant him safety and diplomatic immunity, but he seems horrified and afraid of someone or something. Like his mind is carrying a huge secret. Before Emilio can decide, Marco and the Constabulary burst in. Marco executes the head of the NPA. He later apologizes to Emilio when he learns the man had given up, and claims that he was simply driven over the edge to kill the man out of love for his father, and his finger must of accidentally slipped. Always bearing a suspicion towards Marco, Emilio begins to follow him closer, and soon learns that it is Marco, who not only tried to kill Ferdinand, but that Marco is also one of the main master minds responsible for the resurgence of the NPA's communist movement. Emilio wrestles with the decision to tell Ferdinand what he has uncovered -- knowing well that it would probably crush him. Finally, Emilio decides that the only thing left to do is confront Marco himself. Emilio goes to Marco's home, where he catches him meeting with a veiled individual. Emilio tells Marco he knows, and is attacked by Marco as the other occupant gets away, but not before Emilio wounds him/her with a shot. Emilio and Marco fiercely fight it out from guns, to knives, to fists. Emilio, with the upper hand cannot bring himself to deliver the final blow to Marco out his love for Ferdinand. Just then the NPA Collaborator who Emilio shot earlier returns and throws a knife at Emilio. Emilio reacting quickly rolls over still holding Marco. The knife goes through the back of Marco's throat mortally wounding him. A moment later, Ferdinand enters Unknowingly, but luckily armed and with guards having just been released from the hospital. Seeing his son die at what he believes to be the hands of his best friend Emilio the General shoots Emilio, crippling him forever. Before his son chokes to death upon his own blood. Marco motions to his father to bend down near to his mouth. He then whispers something into his father's ear and laughs before passing on. Ferdinand flees, obviously perturbed beyond words by the events Of the evening. When he gets home, he discovers his wife with a doctor at her bedside, shot in the leg. Accidentally she claims by children playing in an ally. He thinks nothing of it as he tells her what has happened to their son. She cries for a brief moment and a brief moment only. Back to present day, Edmund, Ferdinand's grandson is greatly distraught, as he was always told his father died valiantly while fighting crime. Ferdinand explains that he never saw Emilio again, and apologizes to Edmund for failing him and his father. Ferdinand then goes on to imply that maybe his grandson should not enlist after all and find a better way of life -- one that would allow him to share himself with his friend PETER and the world more appropriately, perhaps medical school or law school. Edmund is shocked by the advice, also that his grandfather obviously knows that he is gay, and in a way is admitting to his own homosexuality. A week passes by, and we find Ferdinand alone pondering at a bay window. When in enter Edmund pushing Emilio in a wheel chair. Emilio has been living at a Buddhist monastery in the mountains. The men wordlessly hold hands while enjoying the last of morning's sunshine before lunch.