PISAY (2007), A reflection

A story of success, difficulty, hope, and chances; a movie of old dating back from 2007,
which depicts the underlying situation of the Philippines and its education system in the 1980s—
Pisay, short for “Philippine Science.” Philippine Science is a government-funded school that
promotes high-quality education and serves as a field of practice for the country's future
scientists and mathematicians. This film was written by Henry Grajeda and was directed by Mr.
Auraeus Solito. Together with the casts naming Gammy Lopez, Annicka Dolonius, Carl John
Barrameda, and Elijah Castillo. "Pisay" is categorized into four parts that are interconnected and
each has a significant theme. Each chapter tackles a different year of high school and following
six different central characters, including Rom, a brilliant but impoverished student; Wena, an
academic-focused girl; Mat, a struggling boy with a joyful facade; Liway, a determined and
outspoken person; lastly, Andy, a quick-witted and easy-going C.A.T. comrade aspirant

This movie was mainly about students and a series of varied circumstances they
experienced during their high school years as Philippine Science students who were trained to be
excellent and ready for the future of the Philippines. Moreover, the film also features different
scenarios during the time of Marcos’ dictatorship and when Ninoy Aquino was assassinated and
killed. A movie that illustrates how crucial it is to become a student, and how students in that
time survived their high school life facing some setbacks, pressure, disappointments, and
accomplishments.

While I was watching the movie, I have noticed that in order for me to achieve my goals
and dreams, I need to work hard for them and push hard so I can pass through various challenges
in life. This is for the reason that the movie highlighted that a learner should not just be a student.
He must “study well, work hard, and maintain good traits so they can prove that at least they
can survive.” (Ms. Casas, Pisay 2007) From what she said in the movie, something struck my
heart. I realized that long before we have reached these recent years, the students before are
really serious when it comes to education. For them, it is like an important treasure, a secret to
success. Another thing, from the first part of the movie which shows Rom’s life, top students are
encouraged to prioritize education first instead of love; and back then students listen very well to
their teachers’ advice.
 On the other hand, Mateo’s story proved to me that we can still win even though we think
we lose. This is because he was expelled from school for having failed grades. And despite being
away from his family, he never ceases to hope and live life positively. “No matter the sides,
you’re still a winner.” His teacher stated.

As I feel the moment on every part of the movie, I cannot help but see that those times were
the moments of Marcos’ reign. It had an impact on the students and teachers that many of them
demands peace, justice, and freedom of expression. In addition, it also clearly showed how tough
those times were for unprivileged students; For students who have family members fighting for
the country, and for students who wish to graduate. Another thing that I remembered was the
presentation about Philippine heroes and our country’s history. The girl presenting stated, “at
what cost do we buy peace and development? With our own freedoms? Or our own human
rights?” what she exclaimed was true. During those trying times, many people sacrificed their
own lives in order to achieve peace and freedom. Numerous Filipinos accumulated enough
braveness and confidence to fight back and demand what is truly theirs. Therefore, a lesson hits
me. Even though we are not to worship those people, we can learn and be thankful for what they
did. So, as a student, I understand that life now is better compared to before since they worked
hard to free us from dictatorship. Nowadays, we often disregard history but the past contributed
to the colors we have today.

Furthermore, despite being a top school, they still exhibit prejudice in terms of diving the
students into the lower half and higher half. I think until now, it is still practiced. Many students
are judged based on their weaknesses and not on their strengths. Also, today, we see that
education is not available to all and not everyone has access to it. Sadly, even though many of us
dream of being able to study and learn, it is not a cinch for we have a poor education system. I
saw there that some facilities are not sufficiently provided and given so only those who are on
higher levels, and privileged ones can experience it.

The movie satisfyingly pictured the life before and how we can learn from it, especially the
students. After watching it, I now deeply value the essence of success, hard work, and education.
Together with the right motivation and family members who support and believe in us. This is
for the reason that in the movie, everyone has their support system which encouraged them to
move forward despite the odds. As a result, I humbly appreciate this masterpiece that portrayed
the lives and reality of students. This movie can be seen as still relevant and needed today.

So, in conclusion, the movie showed me that education matters. Peace is important, and we
all need freedom of expression to survive. I also understand that life is not always easy. It also
encourages viewers to broaden their horizons and live life to the fullest, despite the challenges.
They encourage children to look for the silver lining and discover things on their own because a
true adventure is seeking out something unexpected. But generally, we can learn a lot from this
film, notably about former President Ferdinand Marcos' tyranny and the forced prosecutions that
took place during his nearly 21-year tenure. As a result, the film simply teaches us that life is
about more than our wasted opportunities; there is more to learn from our past mistakes. And we
are winners, no matter what sides of life we are in.