Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario Mabini

The play Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario Mabini is one that

showcases values of Filipino patriotism and nationalism. The play was a
great mix of musical creativity and exceptional acting. I was really able
to see how emotional the experience must have been for the
characters being portrayed. The play was about Apolinario Mabini and
his exile in Guam in the 1900s. He along with his brother Prudencio,
General Ricarte, and other fellow Filipino revolutionaries were forced to
leave the Philippines and remain in exile. Mabinis health was
deteriorating and all he wanted was to rest in peace in his hometown.
They continued to long for home and were devastated to find out that
Emilio Aguinaldo had signed the Oath of Allegiance to the United
States. Eventually, the governor-general asked them for their
signatures in exchange for the freedom to return to the Philippines. The
other revolutionaries signed and only Mabini, Prudencio and Ricarte
were left. The governor-general warned Mabini that if they do not
accept the offer, they will be brought to Hong Kong and refused entry
to the Philippines. Mabini desperate to get home even questioned the
governor-general as to why they even see him, a paralytic, as a threat.
After much thought and deliberation, Mabini allowed his brother
the freedom to decide on his own and Prudencio accepted the offer
and he chose to go home. As a nurse named Salud was treating
Apolinario Mabini, she was able to show him how his works have
inspired the Filipino people. She was also able to show her admiration
and convince Mabini that he had done enough and that the Filipinos
were not ready yet at that time to continue the fight. She told him that
his legacy was through his works and that one day, the Filipino people
will continue the fight. As the time came, Apolinario Mabini accepted
the governor-generals offer and after signing the Oath of Allegiance,
he was able to return home to the Philippines with Prudencio. General
Ricarte was very disappointed at first but eventually respected
Mabinis decision to sign and return home. Ricarte kept firm in his
refusal to sign the allegiance. He was brought to Hong Kong although
eventually, after many years, was able to return to the Philippines as
well.
The story is one that shows much nationalism at that time.
Apolinario Mabini and his works served as an inspiration to many
Filipinos. I greatly admire the sacrifices that the revolutionaries
endured for our country against the colonists. This was evident during
their time in exile, away from their country and the people that they
love. They are heroes who fought for our countrys liberty and
independence at the cost of their own happiness because they truly

believed in the cause of fighting for our freedom. I also admired how
they were firm in their love and devotion to our country. It was nice to
see the different relationships in the play and how Prudencio
unconditionally took care of Apolinario Mabini and how he supported
him in his endeavors. It was also nice to see Apolinario Mabini in turn,
give his brother the freedom to choose what he wanted. General
Ricarte and his extremely strong will also inspired me to have
unwavering faith in my principles and in the ideals that I believe in. The
stories of our heroes make me realize how lucky I am today and that I
should be grateful for the freedom we have today. Mabini and his fellow
revolutionaries are heroes that we must learn to always treasure.
Apolinario Mabini may have been a paralytic but in no way at all did
this stop him and his works from inspiring Filipinos then and Filipinos
now as well.