NAME: MARK ALJON CEN R.

CANDANO CRIM 1
SUBJECT: CFLM 1 TIME: 3:00PM-5:00PM

“REACTION PAPER”

There was a scene in the movie when Manuel Bernal was captured and tries to
bully Goyo saying that he is merely a dog of the President. That because of his
loyalty to the President he forgot to follow his own thoughts, principles, and morals. I
concur that it is depicted that Emilio Aguinaldo was just an idol to be admired by his
people. He became above the people like an idol or a god to be worshiped, but what
we really need is a leader that is equal to us and can build the country through strong
teamwork with his fellow members and a common goal of rising as a country. Setting
aside the personal gains and sacrificing for the greater good of the country. This was
the mistake that our heroes have made that is most likely to happen again in the
present national leadership if we do not become one as a country.
We should not hide from the shame we’ve committed on ourselves by choosing
leaders that are more “priviledged” and “tough,” and ignoring or ousting those who
have the ability to change the country for the better. Throughout history, it were
Filipinos who killed their great leaders that could lead them to freedom and
independence because of the fear of that their passion,vision, and ambition to make
the impossible happen is understated. That is freedom. That because of our own
selfish ways, it resulted to the hundreds of years of slavery and colonization.In the
movie, I remember one character saying that Filipinos mostly care about their
families first. But sacrificing family for the country is not an idea that the Filipinos
agree with. Though it is a trait that is to be admired by others, it has also caused our
downfall.But maybe it was never really a trait of “family-orientedness,” but of fear of
going into the unknown knowing your life is fragile. Even Goyo is seen as scared
many times because he remembers again and again that his life is on the line and he
is just a mortal. Fear was great. And Filipinos would rather change their costumes
from a Philippine soldier to a lowly Filipino and run for their lives.Ginhawa
kesa dignidad.History was made not just for appreciation or preservation but as a
guide to know wherewe came from and learn from the mistakes of the past.
Americans have won the Philippine-American war not because they are stronger and
had more weapons, but they simply just sit back and watch as we Filipinos stab and
kill each other in the back. That because we were not one with all the others, it
created our doom. Goyo and Heneral Luna died, and so was the courage and dignity
of the Filipinos. It was also seen in the movie that both Filipinos and Americans used
members of the ethnic tribes on the mountains as their guide but treated them
wrongly and tied them. We should not treat these people as if they are someone lower
than we are for they have more culture and heart than the modern Filipinos. Let us
help them as they have helped us in many ways.
And as for the Americans who manipulated Filipinos by giving false peace and
freedom, we should learn to take control of our country than have foreigners using
our country for business and dominion. When people in the higher ranks do just little
actions to help the country, it is already considered negligence to the people. Wrong
leadership results to a deteriorating country. Maybe it is true that they call us children,
for we get confused and forget our responsibilities for life pleasures.But the theme of
the movie was never really to make Filipinos look bad and defeated but it revolves
around the quote, “Tandaan mo kung sino ka,” which was the phrase Julian del Pilar
always reminds Goyo when he is lost and afraid. We too should remind ourselves
with this quote. To come back to our roots. Remember our purpose, nationality,
history, and cultures. We need time for self-reflection, knowing what mistakes were
made and learning from these. It is time to remember that we are Filipinos.