CPT EUNICE R KASAWALI PN(M)

NCSC 91
03 April 2021
Movie Review Nr 6

HENERAL LUNA

General Antonio Narciso Luna de San Pedro Posadas y Novicio Ancheta (29

Oktubre 1866 - 7 Hunyo 1899), portrayed in the movie Heneral Luna. It is a Filipino

film released in 2015 under the direction of Jerrold Tarog and produced by E.A Rocha.

The film received critical recognition from critics and audiences, who praised its

cinematography, writing, acting, and plot. The film was selected as the entry in the

Philippines for Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards. The film

features the life of a short-headed Filipino general who faces an enemy heavier than

the American nation: his countrymen. It is a Filipino historical biopic film depicting the

leadership of General Antonio Luna of the Philippine Revolutionary Army during the

Philippine -American War. The beginning of warfare with the American colonizers. It

culminates in the assassination of Luna on June 5, 1899 - a time during which Luna

served as Commander -in -Chief of the Army under the First Philippine Republic. A

national hero who is known to get a lot of enemies because of his fiery temper with

the people's mistakes also led to his death. Besides telling us the context in which he

was always on fire, we also got to know him more closely as a great leader, a

disciplined soldier, a man, and a son with a commitment and concern for our country.

The Philippines faces a battle against America. General Luna was most willing

to fight for the freedom of all the Filipino soldiers. General Antonio Luna was a fierce

national commander with unbridled caution and pride that the people feared. General

Luna does not care who he opposes for the country's sake. Luna, with his crew,
fighting alone against the Americans. Like Emilio Aguinaldo, the president at the time

did not agree with his campaign to recapture Manila and fight the Americans who were

terrorizing the local population. But the saddest part of his life was when he planned

to ambush and brutally kill his countrymen. He was a complete discipline and an

autocrat. He always wanted obedience from his soldier to make him or create a bad

image for him but in the midst of being a leader of terror, he led his group well, built on

combat strategies fighting for the country. I felt that everything was difficult for him

because while he was fighting for the country, he was also arguing with his fellow

Filipinos, making them obey his orders, and fighting for what he thought was right. Not

everyone agreed with his morality, so he earned the title "General Article One"

because of his strictness.

The Filipinos at that time were scared and cowards, so they quickly gave up

their trust in the Americans. That our leaders at that time had no stand of their own,

even though the deaths of many Filipino soldiers depended on other countries. It

seems that unity was an issue at the time, which Luna was right, that the real enemy

of the Filipinos was themselves. In addition, peace was not easily achieved in those

times without cooperation. And it made me realize how frightening strength is because

power and selfishness have blinded us exceedingly from nationalism.

Moreover, we need a General Luna right now. I respect him for his strength,

desire to protect his country, and perseverance in his beliefs. My mind and eyes were

opened when Luna said that "we have an enemy bigger and stronger than the

Americans - Ourselves" General Luna was right; the real enemy of the Filipinos then

was their fellow Filipinos. That is why they cannot achieve freedom. I salute all the
brave soldiers and Generals who will remain faithful to their duty to grow for our

freedom. And especially to our great hero General Antonio Luna. They are the true

heroes of our beloved country. It is frustrating to lose one of the greatest generals the

Philippines has only had because of small internal fights like children seizing power in

the homeland. It just shows that apart from weapons and ammunition, education

should also be used to fight the colonizers.

Concerning the Philippine Navy setting, adherence to the guidance of our

leaders is a mandatory task. However, we must never forget the mission or the oath

we made, the essence of our existence, preventing foreign invasion and maintain the

freedom of the sea as well as the country as a whole.

In conclusion, education is essential. Knowing the roots of our country, the

critical events that shaped Filipinos into who they are today can help us better

understand what the problems are. Education opened our minds, think selflessly, love

our country, and unite with each other. Looking forward that one day we will finally

escape from our colonizers' understanding. General Luna is a film that helps us

understand the ongoing problems we have today, work out a solution, and plan for a

better future.