Mizpah L.

Salvador
Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral
Reaction Paper
“Tandaan mo kung sino ka.”
This film, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral, directed by Jerrold Tarog is another game-changer
for our local films; not just because of its historical theme but also due to its quality. Through
little by little steps, it leads more Filipino movies to more improvements that can be done; those
that can be in the same level with that of the international ones.
The acting skills of the actors and actresses were carried out in a powerful way. It is
obvious how much effort did they made for being attached to the character they portrayed. The
statements they throw to each scene made the film itself more realistic because of their effective
delivery of their dialogues and their expressions being very “Filipino”. The cinematography is
very artistic and vivid as well. The structure of the plot, most especially, made it to have a
different point of view of the Philippine-American war; which can also affect how we look into
other parts or events in our country’s history.
History itself is never my thing, but this movie made it more interesting for me, as a
student and as a Filipino. Movies of this kind would help the younger and future generations to
look at history in a different way, in a different perspective. They will not be boxed in the idea of
hero worship which is mostly what the textbooks are implying. It is noticeable how their
acceptable and favorable actions have been narrated since elementary but only a little or there is
no even focus for the faults they did. In which was given focus on here, that can give us lessons
to learn from of and not repeat it on the succeeding years of our life being a Filipino.
It is very insightful in such a way that it focuses on the self-reflection of flaws and
mistakes done by the protagonist of the story, Gregorio del Pilar or Goyo; unlike other motion
pictures that emphasizes only the positive stuff done by hero/es and not his/her/their errors
before. Goyo’s introspection helped him shift his mindset; and this resulted to him being able to
fulfill his responsibilities and duties despite his young age and lack of experiences in life.
All in all, I can say that to be able to satisfy and accomplish your roles and obligations,
you should learn to examine yourself. Appreciate yourself for your achievements and analyze
yourself on your shortcomings and downfalls; what you could have done and how you should
have executed it. So that in time, you will not be blinded by that imperfection of yours.