1.

Identify the movie by stating its title, the year it was released, the name of the
director, where the story is set and the time period in which the story takes place.

Ilustrado is a movie series released on october 2014, a film directed by

King Mark P. Baco. It covers the life of Rizal from his childhood in Calamba , Biñan,

his studies in Ateneo Municipal De Manila and Universidad de Santo Tomas his

journey to Europe, Marseilles,

Barcelona, Madrid, Hongkong, Dapitan and to his execution , set on late 19 th century

during the Spanish occupation.

2. Who is the protagonist and what is he or she like?

The protagonist of this film is José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso

Realonda also known as

“Pepe” the most beloved hero of our country. Growing up he is a loving son and

brother from a progressive and well disciplined family. Pepe was not a typical kid, he

is adventurous and full of curiosity he seek answers of things he want to know. At a

very young age he showed interest in the well being and fairness of people around

him. An extraordinary man, a novelist, poet, linguist ,ophthalmologist and a

polymath.

3. Who or what is the antagonist and what is he, she, or it like?

There were multiple antagonist throughout the film. The major antagonist are the

Spanish Colonial Government, the Priers and the Insulares. The domination of

Spanish government and ruthless friars, presented by Padre Amado a vicious and

atrocious ruler of the church who does nothing but bring harm to Rizal’s family.

Another major villains are the spanish blooded family , Conchita Monteverde and

Venchito Monteverde. They are snobbish, green-eyed monsters full of insecurities

 towards the Mercado family and does every tricks in their sleeves just to drag Rizal’s

family down.

4 What is the conflict that is driving the protagonist to act?

The conflict that drives the protagonist to act is the harsh and unequal treatment

of Spanish friars and the Monteverde family to the people of Calamba and the

injustice government colonial in the Philippines. The tyranny of the Catholic Church

that rules the country and the inequalities experienced by the Calambeños in the hands

of Padre Amado.

5. Is there another less important conflict, often referred to as a subplot, which helps
drive the story? If so, describe that conflict and who is involved in it.

There are other conflict that adds up to the subplot of the story; the cruelty of

guwardiya-sibil when Rizal was beaten for no valid reason. Donya Lolay, his mother

was accused and arrested for allegedly poisoning her sister-in-law, her blindness that

drives Rizal to take the field of medicine, the pandemic Cholera that killed hundreds

of people including his tiya Lena and the unfair increase of taxes of their rented land

which is the foundation and source of income of Calambeños, the discrimination of

Filipinos felt as being called Indios by the Spanish and lastly the tragic love story of

Leonor Rivera and Rizal.

6. Describe three actions that the protagonist takes in order to try to resolve the
conflict.

Rizal was outraged and takes action in order to resolve the problems the

country was experiencing. After finishing his studies in medicine at Universidad de

Santo Tomas, he went to Europe to practice his medical studies and broaden his

knowledge in the domain of journalism, observe to learn the European culture and

prepare for his plans against the Spanish tyranny. Together with the revolts and

Ilustrados they created Espanya el Islas Filipinas and launched a nationalist

newspaper in Spain called La Solidaridad, which consist their written poems, articles

and speeches. The abuses his people felt during that time back in the country inspired

Rizal to write a novel attacking the mistreatment of the Spanish rulers, the first novel

was Noli Me Tangere.

7. What is the climax or moment of highest tension?

The highest peak of the story is the moment when Rizal publish his

novel Noli Me Tangere. He went through a lot, before successfully publishing the

novel. Back in the Philippines his family were bankrupt and lost all their

resources, so he was struggling for finances in Europe, got sick and almost lost all

his hope. But a great friend of his, Dr. Viola continue to publish his work. Upon

learning the content and hidden desires of the novel, Padre Amado was so

enraged ordered to ban the circulation and burnt all the copies. Filipinos were

enlightened the novel ignites the fuel of revolt to regain their rights and liberty.

8. How is the conflict resolved?

 Rizal went home to Calamba to treat his blind mother.Heatedly eyed by the friars

he went back to Europe to write his second novel El Filibusterismo bringing Filipinos

the truth and giving light of hope to fight for freedom. Valentine Ventura lends Rizal

money to publish the second novel because of lack of funds he did everything just to

survive and sustain his needs. El Filibusterismo spread across the continents

especially in Asia the propagandists find ways to sneak in the copies of the novel

across the manipulation of banning ordered by the friars. The novel brought great

impact to Filipinos to question the tyranny of Spanish government’s abuse of power.

It strengthened the independence movement in the country.

9. What aspects of the protagonist’s character lead to the resolution of the conflict?
Support your conclusion.

Rizal is a man of honor, to prove his bravery and love of the country he finally

went back to the Philippines to face the domination of the Spanish tyranny. In his last

days in Hongkong he said, “ Paano nga naman magagamot ang isang pasyente kung

ang gamot at doktor ay malayo sa kanya.”

He sacrificed his liberty knowing that going back to Philippines means him being

killed. “Ang mamatay nang may paninindigan sa kanyang ideya,” Rizal fell on the

ground facing the sky, using his last breath to look at the beautiful sunrise knowing he

did not die in vain. He did not die for nothing, his death is a torch that illuminates the

burning fire of Filipinos hearts , the start of Philippine independence.

10. What lessons from this film can viewers apply to our daily lives as Filipinos?
Name three and, for each, describe the lesson. If you can recall some dialogue that

relates to any of the lessons, describe what was said. For each lesson, describe how

the personality traits of the characters and the events of the story teach the lesson.

There may be fewer than three lessons in the movie but try to find three.

Lesson No. 1: Rizal’s mother said, “Sa mga panahong nararamdaman mong nag-iisa

ka kumapit ka sa iyong pananampalataya.…” Donya Lolay is a representation of most

of our mothers and elders even as to this day in the midst of our problems, it is our

trait as Filipinos to be resilient because of our strong faith in God. Especially now in

this difficult time, facing this epidemic virus we trust everything to God and remain

positive.

Lesson No. 2: “ Hindi tayo pinabayaan ng Dios anak, hayaan mo kaming makisalo sa

iyong pinaglalaban,”this line was said by Rizal’s father during their stay in Hongkong

after being separated for a long time. Mercado family showed us that a family should

stick together no matter what problems we may face. They embodied Filipino families

staying sturdy in times of hurdles in life.

Lesson No. 3: “Sino ba naman ang gaganahan kung hindi kompleto ang pamilya sa

hapag,” a line from Donya Lolay weeping for Rizal’s voyage to Europe. “Sana po

‘nay hindi ito ang magiging dahilan na magkawatak-watak ang pamilya natin…ang

itong lahat ay ginagawa namin para sa inyo, ang paghihirap ni Pepe sa ibang bansa ay

patungo sa pag-unlad ng pamilya at sa bayan natin.” Rizal’s older brother Paciano

explained to their parents why Rizal needs tobe away.

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