“Heneral Luna”

By: Sayson, Baby Alexis G.

The Movie begins with a conversation between General Antonio Narciso Luna de San Pedro y
Novicio Ancheta (John Arcilla) and Joven Hernando (Aaron Villaflor), about Joven’s desire to write a
newspaper about independence, he also wants General Luna to be his subject. So, Luna began to tell a
story about the problem in unity of the Filipino Soldiers of different places , followed by the difference of
opinion of each member of the cabinet about the occupation of the Americans in the Philippines on ho
they could solve it. Either they come to an agreement or fight the Americans. They continue the arguing
while the Americans are preparing to unite with the Spaniards and gradually kill the Filipino Soldiers. In
the end, President Emilio Aguinaldo decided to let General Luna to the American. “how can I fight, bite
them?Can people like them help me” Luna said Sarcastically while pointing to Buencamino, he then
leave the other cabinet. The battle began in Cavite although there was a shortage of soldiers, General
Luna bravely fought the Americans with a few of his men and then they won the first battle due to the
surrender of the Americans, General Luna continued to gather soldiers for his plan that will happen in
North that only requires the approval of the president and they move to Northern Bagbag river. One day
all the members of the cabinet met again and here they discussed of the commission about the
autonomy they are promoting for the Philippines to make it a protectorate under the American but
General Luna disagree “According to the constitution ‘SOVEREIGNTY IS ONLY IN THE HANDS OF THE
FILIPINOS, YOU ARE A TRAITOR FOR PROPOSING ANNEXATION” Luna said which caused an increase in
tension within the cabinet. Because of General’s uncontrollable anger, he turned his anger towards the
sale of chicken by an old woman, he shot it and said “ That’s what I will do to traitors and I will not think
twice, NO ONE CAN LIFT THE LAW, NOT EVEN THE PRESIDENT”. general luna continued with his plan of
guarding the northern bagbag river there he uncontrollable more soldiers so he ordered his men to send
a telegram to general Mascardo with a letter saying that he should return bagbag to as soon as possible
and bring more soldier. General luna continued with his plan of guarding the northern bagbag river
there he needed more soldiers so he ordered his men to send a telegram to general Mascardo he should
return in Bagbag together with more soldiers, , It became the cause of misunderstanding between
General Luna and General Mascardo, General Luna left Bagbag and took some soldiers with him to rush
in Guagua, Pampanga. When they got to Guagua General Mascasdo’s soldiers is already waiting tholding
while holding their gun the two general ready to kill each other but one of General Luna’s staff came
from the president’s office with a letter containing an order to detain General Mascardo for almost
twenty-four hours, General Luna found out that the Americans had already attacked Bagbag river at
kingga so they immediately returned to Bagbag to help the other men’s who left behind. After that night
general luna with the rest of tye soldiers and the other wounded with Joven who was shot in his Palm
the Bagbag river are already occupied bye the Americans, Luna went to the President Emilio Aguinaldo
with a resignation letter but the president did not accept it after that their topic change and its about
politics “if politics is freeing traitors I DON'T WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT” Luna said and leave. When
General Luna left l, they had a meeting about luna’s leadership and the fact that Luna caused a
disturbance out side the palace when they last met. that same night Luna went home to their home and
played the guitar in her room and there her mother was also at home and together they remembered
the happy past that started at Christmas when they were still a complete family and next was that of
doctor Jose Rizal who gave his life it is shown here that General Luna used to be a doctor. The next day,
President Emilio Aguinaldo was preparing to leave Canabatuan and at the same time, General Luna
received a letter from the president stating that the president was sending him to Canabatuan for a
meeting about his plan to do things in the north. during the journey, it was as if fate was preventing
them from going to Cabanatuan, the carriage in which Heneral Luna's soldiers were riding slipped and
because of the haste, Heneral Luna and his two loyal soldiers went first. upon arrival, General Luna
entered the office of president Aguinaldo, noticeable here was the absence of other soldiers and when
he arrived at the office, only Buencamino was in the room and they had a little argument then left
general luna, after general luna came down he felt something strange around him until someone rushed
at him and shot him and stabbed him despite that, general luna still fought but he was shot in the head
by an unknown assailant while the two men he was also shot outside and one of them died.

The Movie “Heneral Luna” directed by Jerold Tarrog and produced by Artikulo Uno Productions
is an Historical drama film, that revealed what happen during the second war that took place between the
Philippines and America or better known as the Philippine-American war It also reveals how does the
Filipinos defeated the Americans lead by General Antonio Luna(John Accilla), and what the Filipinos
suffered at the hands of American Soldiers. The Movie released on September 9, 2015 with aim of
showing to the audience the important event ls in Philippines under leadership of General Luna and
because of the excellent performance of the characters in the film, the film received an award from the
Asian Film Award in 2016 and because of John Arcilla's ability to play Heneral Luna, he received the
best actor Award.

The movie general luna shows the life of general Antonio Narciso Luna de San Pedro y Novicio
Ancheta how he led the Filipino soldiers and how he loved his country and how he protected it and fought
against the Americans. General Luna was killed by an unknown assailant but despite his death the battle
was not over but President Aguinaldo continued with his plan to establish a fort in the North.

I liked the movie because the actors were able to explain their acting well and the life of the
Filipinos during the war and the life of the soldiers fighting for our country was explained well to me as a
viewer. There is a lot to learn from the movie such as of how to be a good leader in the country or even in
the field of fighting also shows here that we should strengthen our love for the country.

Submitted by: Mam. Doreen Martinez