Republic of the Philippines

Department of the Interior and Local Government

Philippine Public Safety College
PHILIPPINE PUBLIC SAFETY ACADEMY
Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba City, Laguna
Email Address: philippinepublicsafetyacademy@gmail.com

AN REFLECTION PAPER ON THE MOVIE “SAKAY"

“ONE BLOOD”

Submitted to
Dr. Bernard M. Karganilla
FJP 102 – Philippine History

Submitted by
Cdt. 4C Gundao, Bernard Jr., S.
Section- COURAGE

October 2022
 Macario Sakay, a real-life person in the struggle against American colonial
dominance, is the subject of the movie we watched. He was considered the last rebel
that surrendered and pledge allegiance to the American government as the enemy. On
the other hand, he was considered a hero by the Filipinos. Macario Sakay was one of
the founders of the “Partido Nacionalista” and was also one of the original members of
the Katipunan together with Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto. The revolt in the
Philippines against the American government by General Macario Sakay was one of the
remaining revolutionary movements after General Emilio Aguinaldo was captured in
Philippine history. Unlike the common belief that the revolution ended by the time that
General Emilio Aguinaldo was held captive by the Americans, some of the revolution’s
forces were still fought by Macario Sakay and his comrades.
According to the movie, Macario Sakay surrendered to the Americans but saw
that there were still injustices with the systems of the Americans. At first, he was not
persuaded by the idea to take up arms again and revive the revolution. In the end, he
was convinced to establish again a revolutionary government, the ‘Tagalog Republic’,
with him as the president. For the Americans, Macario Sakay was just a bandit with
nothing to do after the war. They said that Sakay and his comrades were plundering
innocent villagers, burning their crops, killing their livestock, and raping village women.
They refer to them as the ‘Tulisan’ or ‘Bandidos’.
The Americans were harsh in treating Filipinos, many people died and suffered.
Barrios were turned into concentration camps. Villages were burnt down; their food was
controlled and hunger spread. Macario Sakay and his comrades decided to attack while
some of the American forces were away to fight the side of the revolution in the Samar
area. We can see that in this part, Sakay and his men were the underdogs because
they have no sources for their military power, and some of the Filipinos sided with the
Americans. they were forced to steal rifles and armaments from the enemy for their
firepower.
Just when Macario and his troops are gaining power, Dr. Dominador Gomez
came to General Leon Villafuerte to convince Sakay that there is hope for freedom
through diplomatic means. General Villafuerte explained the letter and the agreement
well to Macario Sakay and Sakay was convinced. Sakay and some of his officers
descended from the mountains to meet with the Americans at a party at Cavite. Without
his knowing, it was a trap. While the celebration was going on, Macario and his
compatriots were disarmed and arrested by the Americans.
Sakay urged that there was an agreement between him and the Americans to
finish his revolution for the amnesty of his men and the establishment of a national
assembly with his compatriots as the lead members. Meanwhile, Dr. Gomez denied that
he lost the letter and it was stolen by an American officer. They were tricked by the
Americans. On the other hand, the national assembly was established. An election took
place but only the principals were able to vote and Carreon highlighted that the elected
officers were Aguinaldo’s people.
 The scenes that struck me the most were the ones that were at the end.
Especially those patriotic lines that Sakay released. When Carreon said that the people
elected were Aguinaldo’s men, Sakay said that it is okay for they are still Filipinos. This
shows how Macario Sakay’s loyalty to his nation is remarkable. He holds no grudge
against his compatriots even though they were the ones who ordered the execution of
one of Macario’s close friends, Andres Bonifacio. He even pointed out that they are of
the same blood, and it is good for them so that they will know how to run their own
government. When he heard that the national assembly was formed, he said that their
death will be meaningful. Just like what Macario Sakay said, all of us will die, but, he
accepted his death.