It tells the tale of a martyr during the martial rule in the country.
On Wednesday, September 10, the annual Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) returned for its 2025 edition at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City with the theme Get Lit: Stories in Every Form.
In line with that, Anvil Publishing, an arm of the National Book Store group, launched the third edition of Bejamin Pimentel’s U.G.: An Underground Tale, which tackles the life and struggle of Edgar Jopson, also known by his nickname Edjop, who was an activist during the regime of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in the late ’60s and ’70s.
Featured in this new edition are a new cover, updated content from the author, with photos from the upcoming biopic Edjop, which stars Elijah Canlas in the titular role.
He, alongside the film’s director Katski Flores and Frankie Pangilinan, wrote essays that have also been incorporate into the new edition.
During the book’s launch at the fair, the award-winning author Benjamin Pimentel discussed the book and gave a short background about Jopson, whom he was able to know through the people the surrounded the slain alumnus of the Ateneo de Manila University.
He recalled, Edjop got into the nerves of Marcos Sr. when the then-student leader asked the country’s former dictator to put into writing that he was not running for a third term when his supposed final one expired in 1973.
And as history unfolded, Martial Law was declared in September 1972 and the activist did not take it sitting down and went to the “underground” to continue his fight for the masses.
Meanwhile, Pimentel also recounted what he felt after finding out that a new movie will be created based on the book.
“I was very happy, of course. For one thing, I knew Joyette (Jopson), so I was really happy that it was being done. And also, I realized that it was an opportunity to have [the] book that was already out in print… to publish it again,” he shared.
The journalist, who has already watched the still-unreleased film, lauded Canlas’ performance in the movie.
He noted that while he did not meet Edjop in person, Elijah was able to satisfy the image that formed in the author’s mind after meeting the people in the late activist’s circle.
“Nakita ko doon sa performance ni Elijah that he (Edgar Jopson) came alive for me,” said Pimentel.
Prior to the start of the booksigning part of the program, the actor joined the writer on stage, where he shared how he felt “kilig” after hearing praises about his performance.
“Maraming maraming salamat, Sir Boying (Pimentel) for the kind words. Naririnig ko siya sa likod and kinikilig ako kasi ito po talagang librong ito ang ginamit kong “bibiliya” habang nagpe-prepare ako to portray Edgar Jopson,” Canlas told.
He also admitted that it was a daunting task for him to do the role, especially with the kind of life that the biopic’s subject lived.
Elijah then presented the first look at the trailer of the movie, where he stars alongside Jodi Sta. Maria.
Canlas and Pimentel then met and took a photo with the family of Edgar Jopson, before proceeding to the signing of the books.
The launch of U.G.: An Underground Tale was one of the highlights during the opening day of the MIBF 2025, which will run until Sunday, September 14.