Cinemalaya’s “Ang Guro Kong ‘Di Marunong Magbasa” depicts the value of education during

a time of war

A film by Perry Escaño and produced by MPJ Entertainment Productions

Throughout history, we’ve come to realize that with every war won, there will always be
casualties — be it the son who’s lost his father in the battlefield or the two friends torn apart by
conflicting ideals. These are realities we’ve come face-to-face with in every kind of revolution
that’s happened. And though we hope that we’d someday evade the aftermath of it all, the
effects of war remain to be constant plagues in our society.

The 2017 Cinemalaya film, Ang Guro Kong ‘Di Marunong Magbasa (My Teacher Who Can’t
Read) explores the effects of war on a small community of farmers and children in the province.
But more importantly, it features how war can have a severe effect on children and their
education.

The movie follows the story of Acquil (Alfred Vargas), a simple farmer who is encouraged by the
children of his community to teach. Unbeknownst to many of them, Acquil doesn’t know how
to read. Despite this setback, he makes it his mission to learn and educate the children of the
community and those who have been recruited into the revolution.

But when Acquil later gets accused and killed by the military for supposedly being a rebel, the
children are left to fend for themselves and given the choice of education or survival.

It’s a truly complex film that’ll have you pondering the effects of war on your children and the
succeeding generations to come. In fact, here are a few ways the film mirrored the realities of
life and of war:

Children Soldiers

In the film, Aasim (Marc Justine Alvarez) and the remaining children choose to join the rebel
army after Acquil has died protecting the members of their community. And this depiction of
children fighting in revolutions is highly grounded in reality because in many wars throughout
history, children have been recruited to serve a particular cause when the army’s manpower
isn’t enough. This thereby highlights how war can deprive the youth of their childhood.

The value of education

In the movie, Acquil can be seen risking his life trying to purchase a blackboard for the children
to use. Later, the kids return to the place where Acquil used to teach and realize the lost
opportunity they had if only they had chosen to pursue their education. And this particular
moment in the film solidified the importance of education as a medium that can shape and
change the lives of children.

“In this barrio, the number of child warrior grows when their illiterate farmer teacher
disappears and education is ignored”

Genre:

“My Teacher Who Doesn’t Know How to Read” is an inspirational, action and drama story
happened in one of the barrios in the south-western Mindanao. It is a historical true story
mixed with fiction of the farmer’s life.

Synopsis

Set in a barrio in southwestern Mindanao, the film tells about a young farmer who became the
educator in their community even though he is illiterate. One day, he heads to the city and fails
to return. His students then decide to join a rebel organization and learn to become skilled
warriors. Volunteer teachers from the city are afraid to teach in small, far-flung barrios because
of the threat of the on-going war between the military and the rebels. This prompts Aaquil, a
young farmer, to assume the work of the educator in their community. His students, some
orphaned by the war, are unaware that Aaquil is actually illiterate. How has he managed to
keep them from finding the truth? Aaquil heads to the city one day and fails to return. Feeling
hopeless, abandoned and confused, his pupils decide to commit themselves to a rebel
organization. These children learn to use guns like skilled warriors. They mercilessly shoot at
their enemies, whom they accuse of being the reason for their failure to pursue their dreams.
The story depicts how the cycle of anger and vengeance continues when education is ignored
and neglected.

When their teacher disappears, school children cradle guns in their arms instead of books.

Gunshots and pitch-black darkness—this is how the tale begins.

Set in a barrio in southwestern Mindanao, Ang Guro Kong ’Di Marunong Magbasa is about a
farmer named Aaquil (Alfred Vargas), who becomes the only educator in their community. 
Because of the threat of the on-going war between the military and the rebels, teachers from
the city are afraid to teach in small, far-flung barrios such as theirs. This becomes a great
concern among the townsfolk, who fear for the future of the children in their barrio.

With urging from his fellow farmers, especially their captain—Kapitan Badi (Lou Veloso),
Aaquil, despite being illiterate, then takes on the role of a teacher.  One day, he heads to the
city and fails to return.  Feeling hopeless, his young students Aasim (Marc Justine Alvarez),
Kareem (Micko Laurente), and Basil (Miggs Cuaderno) eventually decide to join the rebel
organization, and learn to become skilled warriors.

Ang Guro Kong ’Di Marunong Magbasa is bold and brave as it tackles intertwined, sensitive
issues that persist in Philippine society.  Above all, it emphasizes the value and importance of
education among the youth.  The film further paints a picture of the deep-rooted armed
struggle and ideological conflict in the country.  In the movie, children are taught by the
rebels to use guns, and are seen ruthlessly shooting at their “enemies”—the military; whom
they accuse of being the reason for their failure to pursue their dreams.  It conveys that for as
long as education and other basic needs of people living in rural areas are ignored and
neglected, the cycle of anger, vengeance, and violence will continue.

The film’s script and direction are equally brilliant.  Perry Escano, who is both the writer and
director of the film, brings to life astounding scenes that range from melodrama to intense
action. Everything is crafted magnificently—from the cinematography to the production
design, and even the musical score. Complementing this is the showcase of remarkable
performances by the movie’s cast. From support to lead, all the actors are able to carry out
impressive portrayals of their characters. The skillful combination of all these features makes
the film spectacular, breathtaking, and eye-opening altogether.  It successfully delivers the
rightful message not only for the young ones, but for every Filipino.

Ang Guro Kong ’Di Marunong Magbasa is a must-watch film that calls not only for inclusive
education, but for equitable progress throughout the country.  It is heartbreakingly beautiful;
it awakens its viewers’ social consciousness and leaves them with a burning desire for a
better and more peaceful Philippines.

FILMMAKER PROFILE:

PERRY ESCANO is a veteran television, stage, and film actor based in Manila, Philippines. He
learned professional theater acting through a workshop facilitated by Bodjie Pascua at the
Bulwagang Gantimpala Theater, and received his television/film advanced and intensive acting
trainings from actress/director Gina Alajar at the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation. He
starred in more than 50 TV shows and has acted in more than 30 films and professional stage
plays. Perry wrote and directed “Alibi,” which won 1st runner-up in the Most Popular Film
category, at the International Film Festival Manhattan 2012 in New York City. He was
nominated as Best Actor at the 2014 Queens International Film Festival in New York and won as
Best Ensemble at the 2014 IFFMNYC both for the film “TNT.”

Release Dates

4 August 2017 (Cínemalayà: Philippine Independent Film Festival) (premiere), 6 December 2017
CAST:

Prospective Cast *Alfred Vargas *Simon Pineda (as Onyok in “Probinsiyano”) *John Izzy Canillo
(Going Bulilit) *Eddie Garcia *Jerald Napoles *Miko Laurente *Maria Isabel Lopez *Kiko Matos
*Mon Confiado *Richard Manabat *Marife Necesito *Bong Cabrera *Amante Pulido *Abel
Napuran *Lowell Conales *Bernard Laxa *Ronald Regala *James Lomohan **Bani Baldisseri
*Leon Miguel *Vic Romano *Jun Nayra *Banjo Romero *Jack Falcis *Bobby Tamayo

Alfred Vargas, Miggs Cuaderno, Marc Justine Alvarez, Micko Laurente, Lou Veloso, Mon
Confiado, James Blanco, Loren Burgos, Kiko Matos, Marife Necesito, Ernie Garcia, Bon Andrew
Lentejas, Paul Sy, Alvin Barcelona, Gabrielle Concepcion, Lianne Valentino, Richard Manabat
and Joana Marie Tan. PRODUCTION STAFF: WRITER/DIRECTOR – Perry Escano; ASST. DIRECTOR
– Aurel Ayson; LINE PRODUCER – Maria Acris Tobias; PRODUCTION MANAGER - Lexter Favor
Tarriela; EDITOR – Roberto Reyes Ang; PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR – Steven Flor and Randy Cura.
135 Minutes Action, Drama, Based on historical true story, with English subtitle