More than a century after his death, Andres Bonifacio remains one of the most vivid and emotionally charged figures in Philippine history. His firebrand patriotism, uncompromising ideals, and unshakeable devotion to freedom have immortalized him not just in textbooks but in the Filipino consciousness. Across generations, the Supremo has been a constant fixture in films, television dramas, art, literature, and even video games—proof of how deeply his story resonates with the nation he fought to free.

While Jose Rizal is often positioned as the country’s foremost intellectual hero, Bonifacio embodies the grit, urgency, and bloodied courage of the revolution. Their approaches differed—one wielded the pen; the other, the bolo—but their love for the motherland converged to shape the birth of a nation. It is no surprise that both have become cultural icons whose legacies transcend classrooms and find new life through pop culture.

Among the two, Bonifacio has been reimagined countless times on screen. Storytellers are drawn to his origins as a self-taught working-class Filipino, his fearless leadership of the Katipunan, and the tragedy of his downfall. Each portrayal adds a new layer to his legend, capturing facets of a hero who continues to inspire.

A legacy of portrayals

Julio Diaz
A seasoned actor who brought Bonifacio to life not once but twice—first in Bayani (1992), then again in the 1995 educational series of the same title—Diaz presented a grounded, emotional interpretation of the Katipunan founder.

Gardo Versoza
In 1998, Versoza delivered a memorable performance as Bonifacio in GMA Films’ José Rizal, an award-winning epic regarded as one of Philippine cinema’s most respected historical films.

Alfred Vargas
The actor-turned-lawmaker portrayed Bonifacio in The Trial of Andres Bonifacio (2010) and later in the 2012 biographical film Supremo, deepening his connection to the role through two distinct projects.

Cesar Montano
Having previously portrayed Jose Rizal, Montano stepped into Bonifacio’s shoes in El Presidente (2012), offering a rendition shaped by the film’s focus on Emilio Aguinaldo and the revolution’s political fissures.

Jolo Revilla
In GMA-7’s 2013 drama-epic series Indio, Revilla embodied Bonifacio in a fantasy-infused retelling of Philippine history.

Sid Lucero
Lucero took on the role twice—first in Katipunan (2013) and again in Ilustrado (2014)—bringing sensitivity, intensity, and depth to his portrayals.

Robin Padilla
Padilla’s rugged persona aligned with the revolutionary’s fiery image in the 2014 historical film Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo.

Nico Antonio
In the critically acclaimed Heneral Luna (2015), Antonio contributed a brief but significant portrayal that reinforced the human dimensions of Bonifacio’s story.

Jhong Hilario
A lighter take on the hero appeared in the 2018 comedy film Unli Life, where Hilario played Bonifacio in a humorous time-travel sequence.

Coco Martin enters the Supremo Canon

The newest actor to take up the challenge is Coco Martin, who will headline the 2027 historical biopic May Pag-Asa: The Battles of Andres Bonifacio. The project marks his first major historical portrayal—one he embraces with excitement and humility.

Fresh from announcing his collaboration with director Erik Matti and producer Dondon Monteverde of Reality Entertainment, Coco revealed how the idea emerged during their early creative discussions.

“Fan din ako ng Heneral Luna. Nakaka-proud kasi kaya na natin gumawa ng mga ganun eh. Yun pala may project din sila na Bonifacio. Pumapasok lahat ng napapag-kuwentuhan namin. And then after that, nag-present sila ng mga project pero mas umangat yung concept nila ng OTJ at saka Bonifacio siguro dahil sa itsura ko, sa kakayanan ko, at saka bilang ako na batang kalye. Normal na tao, normal na Pilipino. Mas suma-swak sa akin yung mga character nung OTJ, ni Mario Maghari, at saka si Bonifacio.”

At 43, Coco is entering perhaps one of the most demanding roles of his career. Known for playing grounded, hardworking Filipino characters, he sees Bonifacio as a natural extension of the stories he has always gravitated toward. With Matti steering the film, expectations for the biopic are already soaring.

Each generation finds its own Bonifacio. Every portrayal—dramatic, realistic, fantastical, or comedic—mirrors the sentiments of the time. What stays constant is the enduring relevance of the Supremo’s story: the price of freedom, the complexities of leadership, and the dream of the ordinary Filipino rising against extraordinary odds.

With Coco Martin preparing to take on the role, a new interpretation is on the horizon—one that promises to introduce Bonifacio’s battles, triumphs, and tragedies to a new era of audiences, ensuring that the fire of the Revolution continues to burn.