In early December 2018,
Ronald dela Rosa expressed his desire for
Robin Padilla and
Sharon Cuneta to respectively play him and his wife Nancy if ever a film is made about him.[1] He also has expressed his preference to have the film focus on his biography rather than his romance with his wife in particular.[2]Bato was directed by
Adolfo Alix Jr.[3]
None of the film's marketing material credit the film's crew members other than the director and two lead actors.[3][4][5][6]
Bato has caused controversy for being released at the time dela Rosa was a candidate for the
2019 Philippine Senate election. The
Commission on Elections has warned that dela Rosa could be disqualified if the film is still being aired in Philippine cinemas on February 12, 2019 or the official start of the campaign period for national candidates.[7][8][9]