Process Questions

1. What is the significance of having an official military uniform? What did Antonio
Luna want to achieve in prescribing a uniform for the Filipino freedom fighters?

Juan Luna, had helped him design the uniform of the Philippine Army; from
overall design even the placing of buttons. The significance of having official
military uniform shows the unity and oneness of Philippine Military to suppress
the Americans. Though some of the costumes ill-fitted some of the extra casts, it
really shows how everyone looked and dresses during that time.

2. What social problem was identified in the first dialogue between Joven Hernando
and Antonio Luna?

Luna: “Malaking trabaho ang ipagkaisa ang bansang watak-watak,Joven ”.

Luna: “Mas madali pang pagkasunduin ang langit at lupa kaysa dalawang Pilipino
tungkol sa kahit na anong bagay.”

I think it’s about the unity, solidarity and patriotism of Filipinos.

3. In the first scenes depicting the violence of American occupation, a voice over
can be heard in the background. It is an old speech about Manifest Destiny.
What is the Manifest Destiny? Why is it related to American imperialism? What
was the effect of the juxtaposition of the speech and the scenes?
America is destined for better deeds.
It is our unparalleled glory that we have no reminiscences of battlefields
but in the defense of humanity of the oppressed of all nations, of rights of conscience,
the rights of personal enfranchisement.
Our annals describe no scenes of horrid carnage, where men were led on by hundreds
of thousands to slay one another. Nor have the American people ever suffered
themselves to be led on by wicked ambition to spread desolation far and wide that a
human being might be placed on a seat of supremacy.
We must onward to the fulfillment of our mission: freedom of conscience, freedom of
trade and business pursuits, universality of freedom and equality.
We are the nation of human progress and who will, what can, set limits to our onward
march? It is surely the Manifest Destiny of the United States to lead in the attempt to
make this spirit prevail.
 Manifest Destiny was the idea that white Americans were divinely ordained to
settle the entire continent of North America. The ideology of Manifest Destiny
inspired a variety of measures designed to remove or destroy the native population. US
President James K. The Manifest Destiny was the idea that Americans claimed that
their nation was destined to spread across the entire continent, from sea to sea. It
affected the United States because they were able to acquire a lot of land and
double the size of the United States.

Process Activity
1. Make a 300 words reflection paper about the film Heneral Luna, your reflection
must contains leanings, realizations and insights.

The movie , “Heneral Luna”, is a Filipino historical biopic film about General Antonio
Luna. It is indeed one of the most inspiring and contagious movies I’ve ever seen. The
cinematography, cast, writing is really wonderful and realistic, although the language
used is not what I expected because it looks too modern. The film shows the point of
view of Gen. Antonio Luna in the system of the Philippines in the American invasion
period. Furthermore, the movie carries joy, laughter, sorrow, grief, conflicts, and
realizations especially when it became an eye opener for me.

As a student, it’s typical for us to have some interest in different culture other than us
although I never actually detest our culture. However, with this film I observed a lot of
admirable actions as well as a lot of flaws in our country all the way from the late 18th
century. I also noticed that the Philippine government in the past greatly resembles the
government issues in the present, just like how the cabinet members prefers to be
under the power of United States to aim more money and superiority in their own state.
Gen. Antonio Luna deserves to be one of our heroes. He showed great bravery,
intelligence and he also became an inspiration to our fellow men during and even after
the war. He really holds superior power and can lead people to follow him. The general
also believes that no one is above the law even the highest ranking official or the
president.

Gen. Antonio Luna’s perspectives become an unofficial scoring ground to question the
qualifications of the candidates from what I saw in the internet, what I heard while
commuting and what I also thought of. However, I also thought that Gen. Luna does not
listen to what the others think of. This a sort of a good attitude but sometimes it can also
become really bad. He’s a bit narrow minded as a high ranking general as he lets his
temper affect the whole situation. “Our greatest enemy is ourselves” Gen. Antonio Luna
said in one of the scenes. This is the most impactful line that affected me. While
watching the film, the thing I absolutely noticed is about how our fellowmen react with
the war for our freedom. Starting from the never ending disagreements between the
generals, down to the impassionate soldiers they have. We can’t even group ourselves
as one but we hope for a victory, so ironic. I’m not even surprised when the Americans
laugh at our own foolish acts. In the end, not only Gen. Luna was lost and was put in
shame. But our whole country lost. The worst part of it, we didn’t lose with the war but
we lost within ourselves. That’s the main reason why we lost and will continue to do so.
We aim for a simple yet happy life, but we expect someone to do it for us in the midst of
another western invasion.
After watching the film, I think there are two faces of selfishness we have, as a Filipino
in the film. First, we are not selfish because we always choose our family than
ourselves. Second, we are selfish when it comes in protecting our country. We don’t
realize that killing our own Filipino brothers and sisters lead to the death of hope of the
future. I also wonder why we always need to choose the temporary unsure safety than
the permanent freedom of our own country.
If I were to choose between Bayan o Sarili. I will choose sarili, because in order to be a
productive and good citizen in your country, you need to be responsible and kind in the
smallest possible way starting from yourself. If you can’t win the temptation of evil, then
you can never be a worthy citizen of your country.

2. List down 5 remarkable scenarios/lines in the film that made an impact to you
as a student of history and as a Filipino. Make a 2-3 explanation on that specific
scenarios/lines.

"May mas malaki tayong kalaban sa mga Amerikano–ang ating sarili." "Mas
magandang mamatay sa digmaan kaysa magpasakop sa dayuhan." "Mas madali pang
pagkasunduin ang langit at lupa kaysa dalawang Pilipino tungkol sa kahit na anong
bagay." "Ganito ba talaga ang tadhana natin?

This is one of the most meaningful lines of the film. This got into my mind as it is still a
scenario of the present.

"May mas malaki tayong kalaban sa mga Amerikano–ang ating sarili."

A reflection of how problematic Filipinos were when it comes to patriotism.

"Mas magandang mamatay sa digmaan kaysa magpasakop sa dayuhan."

This line reminds me of Dr. Jose Rizal. Indeed a very powerful statement.

"Ganito ba talaga ang tadhana natin? Kalaban ng kalaban. Kalaban ng kakampi.

Nakakapagod."

This line broke my heart. I felt the pain and disappointment of characters.

"Walang naka-aangat sa batas...kahit pa presidente."

This one reflects the mindset of many. We are all equal. No one is above each other.
 3. Make your own movie poster for Heneral Luna. Write a short essay at the
back to explain its elements and characteristics.

THIS MOPVIE POSTER REFLECTS DARKNESS AS IT IS THEMED WITH BLACK COLOR.

THIS RFLECTS THE DARK PAST OF OUR COUNTRY FROM THE SPANIARDS. A TALE OF
HOW THE LIGHTS STRUCK THROUGH DARKNESS.