DON HONORIO VENTURA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Cabambangan, Villa de Bacolor 2001, Pampanga, Philippines ISO 9001: 2015 AND PHILOSOPHY
Tel. No. (6345) 458 0021; Fax (6345) 458 0021 Local 211
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
DHVSU Main Campus, Villa de Bacolor, Pampanga
QMS-Certified
URL: http://dhvsu.edu.ph

AND PHILOSOPHY
DHVSU Main Campus, Villa de Bacolor, Pampanga

RIZAL 203
RIZAL’S LIFE AND WORKS
MID-TERM EXAMINATION
First Semester, AY 2021-2022

NAME: Danica L. Pigte SCORE:_________

COURSE, YEAR & SECTION: BSA – 2M DATE: 11 – 10 - 21

REFLECTION PAPER
Film Viewing of “Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?”

The moment I heard the music of the movie, I feel really strange, something that makes
me think of the past, the history of our beloved nation. The melody of the song makes me look
back to where we came from even though I, myself, did not experience the colonization of
different countries, I am able to recall the happenings during that time because of studying
history. This movie, "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Na Kayo Ngayon?" directed by Eddie Romero,
gives us better comprehension on how Filipinos and colonizers live in the Philippines during the
19th century.
At the beginning of the movie, I immediately notice the differences of our lives today and
the lives of the Filipino before. From the clothes, structures, way of living, mode of
transportation up to the languages, traits of the people, culture and their tradition which mirrored
the culture and tradition of the colonizers.
Women, during that time, wears baro't saya and belo on their head, while men are
wearing long sleeves and pants. A very different picture in today's generation wherein women
and men wear clothes bbased on what is the rend and their fashion. We rarely see people wearing
baro't saya, only when there are events that the required costumes are the baro’t saya, and barong
tagalog.
On the other hand, the way of living of the people are centered on agriculture, their mode
of transportation are boats, karwahe and horses, they uses also a horse or carabao as their
ambulance, and most of the Filipinos are trembling whenever they see Spaniards.
Upon analyzing the movie, it shows the injustice system in the Philippines under the
domination of Spaniards. They considered Filipinos as ignorant, being the slaves of their own
beloved country. Those who belong to the upper class, which have the wealth and power, have
the rights to everything they want and those ordinary citizens have no right to express
themselves, to give an opinion, and to complain.
Moreover, cheating existed even before and it is evident by Diding and Don Tibor
wherein Diding left Kulas for the wealth of Don Tibor, on the other hand, Don Tibor has a wife
which lives in Iloilo. In addition, courting during that time is necessary, you need to put your
best effort to get what you want. But, in today's generation, most of your wants are easy to have
because of the technology. Communicating on social media platforms is the new way to court
someone, meeting in person is considered as only an option and not that important to enter into a
relationship. There are only a few men who are similar to Kulas in which he travelled a long way
journey just to find Diding.
Furthermore, during the 19th century, as Filipinos are treated as slaves, and one wrong
move will be the cause of their death which is far different for the freedom and democracy we
have and enjoyed today. Everyone has the right to education, human rights are given to every
individual whether you are poor or rich. Filipinos are now brave enough to fight for what we
deserve.
Taking everything into consideration, the film illustrates the realities of Filipino life
during the Spanish reign. Its cinematography and sceneries made me feel as if I were living in
that era as well. Historical films are generally boring and terrible to watch, but this one kept me
interested till the end. With its amusing lines from the naive and simple-minded Kulas, who
embodied the lives of every Filipino in the past. It highlights the actual identity of Filipinos, as
seen on Kulas and in his query "Who are the Filipinos?" " will make us question who we truly
 DON HONORIO VENTURA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Cabambangan, Villa de Bacolor 2001, Pampanga, Philippines ISO 9001: 2015 AND PHILOSOPHY
Tel. No. (6345) 458 0021; Fax (6345) 458 0021 Local 211
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
DHVSU Main Campus, Villa de Bacolor, Pampanga
QMS-Certified
URL: http://dhvsu.edu.ph

AND PHILOSOPHY
DHVSU Main Campus, Villa de Bacolor, Pampanga

are. Are we still the Filipinos who wanted to reclaim the independence that had been stolen away
from us? How far have we progressed? Are we still proud to call ourselves Filipinos? Because
we are now the ones presenting ourselves to the other country. We are less grateful for what we
have and are more ready to adopt the culture and way of life of others. This movie serves as a
wake-up call to all Filipinos that, like Kulas, even if we get the life we want, we would still seek
the life that will comfort us as true Filipinos. A Filipino with dignity, a loving heart that does not
seek recompense, and a Filipino with honor and benevolence.