RIZAL

“Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?”

(Film Showing)

1. Describe the nineteenth-century Philippines as represented in the film.

It details the country's struggles in establishing its cultural identity dating from the Revolution against
Spain until the Philippine-American War, as seen through the eyes of a provincial young man Nicolas
"Kulas" Ocampo, a naive Tagalog farmer, and the extraordinary circumstances that lead him to discover
himself. If the characters are symbolic of the Filipinos in the midst of the Filipino-Spanish-American war, it
can be said that not much has changed. Kulas is the typical Filipino, passive, resilient, someone who
accepts whatever comes his way. But in the right circumstance, the Pinoy consciousness is stirred and he
is forced to take charge and stand up for his and his children’s sake.
However, the Filipinos then have no sense of nationality, as a result of a long colonization of Spain.
The film perfectly depicts that the Spaniards are not the only ones who abused the Filipinos, but fellow
Filipinos as well, which makes it a lot sadder. Kulas had seen it all, the violence of the history, the cruelty
and unequal treatment, as if his heartbreaks over Diding isn’t enough already. In the beginning, he was
called Tagalog, and he used to call himself that way until the middle where he slowly grasped the problem
with his society.
During the Martial Law years, we bore the sufferings and abuse until Ninoy Aquino was killed at the
tarmac. But then again it took us three more years to finally kick the dictator out of Malacanang. Recently,
we gave two and a half years for an actor to prove his worth as president but not long enough to let him
bring our country to the pits. We went to EDSA and stood up for what is right for us as a nation. We are
passive, yes, but only until we realize we are being short-changed as a people.Another interesting character
is Diding. She is the picture of an ambitious Filipina who would do everything to reach her dreams. She is
empowered, an antithesis to the Maria Clara image prevalent during that period in our history. In one scene,
she tells Kulas, "Kung hindi ka matutong lumamon, ikaw ang lalamunin." She surely does know how to
make "lamon" by seizing every opportunity that comes her way.

2. What is the main question that the film seeks to answer?

The film’s main premise is the question "Who is the Filipino?" The answer seems to be as unclear then
as it is now. It’s ironic how certain characters who regard themselves as not Filipino turn out to be real
Pinoys. The Chinese merchant Lim tells Kulas he is not Filipino. "Intsik ako," he says. But he helps Kulas,
saves him, and eventually gives up his life not only for his friend but also for the Philippines and he isn’t
even aware of it.

3. What is your own reflection based on the film and your understanding?
Being Filipinos doesn’t only mean the physical ties we have with the land, or with tradition, or even with
our family, it is recognizing ourselves as the protector of our land and protector our fellow men. It is being
able to fight for what is good for our country and preserve the dignity and freedom our ancestors have
fought for our land. It is easy to say “I’m a Filipino” but hard to truly embody it’s principle. Many of our
thoughts and involvements have changed. Technology rises and new tendencies have been made.
Sometimes, we somehow tend to bury what is of important. We were able to believe rationally. We, Filipinos
presents are merely traveling with the flow. The sense of being a “Filipino” is in the terminal forgotten. We
patronize more the merchandises that came from other states instead than the merchandises that were
made in ours.
Therefore, our society has a lot of problems right now just like the film that we’ve watched and we are aware
that there will be a lot more as time goes by. So stop being a burden in our society. We must follow rules and submit
to our authorities. Also, praying for our nation is the best I can contribute to our country. Lastly, embracing our
culture is one of the best things I can do for our country.