Movie Analysis

1. El Presidente
Our history is full of mysterious and tragic events due to the cruelty that our ancestors felt in the
hands of the colonizer. Numerous individuals who put their lives in order to save and depend our
country to the tyrants that keep on colonizing our precious land. Individuals who kept their dignity
and have an outstanding leadership that made us to attained the freedom that we are enjoying
nowadays. Among our heroes, some of it showed an eminent personality in guiding our country,
such as the first president of the republic of Philippines: Emilio Aguinaldo. Emilio Aguinaldo is a
divisive character in Philippine history, and depending on your viewpoint, he is either a hero or a
villain. He is without a doubt a pillar of the revolution and a fascinating figure. They made a film
about his life during the war against the Spaniards and Americans to recognize his valor. Watching
the film “El Presidente” gives us pause to consider whether it does honor to Emilio Aguinaldo, a
forgotten hero. He mostly contributes to Philippine history, teaching numerous lessons to our
current leaders. His importance in the formation of our country has not been recognized. Revisiting
Emilio Aguinaldo’s tale is crucial to understanding Philippine history. While the Americans
watched on, Aguinaldo’s troops subdued the Spaniards. And it was Aguinaldo who led the charge
against two-thirds of what was then one of the world’s most powerful armies. Emilio Aguinaldo’s
life is chronicled in El Presidente, from his youth to his role as a significant figure in the Philippine
Revolution, the American period, World War II, and his death.
One of the connection of Aguinaldo in Rizal’s life is the fact that Jose Rizal was the creator of La
Liga Filipina, the organization that gave birth to Bonifacio’s Katipunan, the society that led to
Emilio Aguinaldo proclamation for being the First Philippine Republic. This historical assertion
demonstrates the national hero’s indirect but significant relationship to ‘El Presidente.’ Jose Rizal,
who was in prison and due to be executed at the time the film was made, was not mentioned until
a conference where the Katipunan leaders resolved to hold an election to establish a democratic
government. It was known by anyne that, Jose Rizal was never involved in the Katipunan’s
organization or activity, yet the Katipuneros still looked up to him as a leader. In reality, the
society’s highest-ranking members, used Rizal’s name as a password and consider him as their
national bayani. General Aguinaldo called a meeting of revolutionary generals at Biak-na Bato in
San Miguel Bulacan, as depicted in the film. The council made the decision to establish a
constitutional republic. The newly enacted constitution called for the establishment of a Supreme
Council, with Aguinaldo as its president. As the film progressed, Aguinaldo and Bonifacio had a
conflict that leads to the decision of Aguinaldo that he will not joined the revolution that Bonifacio
wanted to happen. When Bonifacio proposed the revolt, Aguinaldo was hesitant, and they agreed
to consult Jose Rizal in Dapitan first. Rizal later came to agree with Aguinaldo, opposing a
premature revolt and advocating for better planning ahead of time. As a result, Aguinaldo and his
league did not participate in the initial onslaught. Several Filipino revolutionaries perished as a
result of this, and the battle against the colonizer began. Emilio Aguinaldo is truly a Hero in our
country because of his numerous contribution to our country and as a first president of the Republic
of Philippines. Some say he was a traitor other say he was a hero. Either way may he rest in peace.
2. Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo
Our past is full of incredible history that was molded by our patriots who willingly put their
lives in the brink of death, to fight for our country from the tyrants. By reminiscing to their bravery
through conducting a documentation or making a film about how they fought and protect our
country, is one of the things that we do to honor their nationalism for our country. One of the
heroes who showed his patriotism is Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo. In this movie that was solely
created for him portrays the life of the Katipunan during the Philippine Revolution. This movie is
a historical action epic that brings to light the powerful, true-to-life drama of Filipino revolutionary
Andres Bonifacio one of our country’s national heroes with his virtues and humanity, unfolding
through the eyes of a young man in this day and age. It was directed by Enzo Williams and it was
an official entry to the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival. Andres Bonifacio, known as Supremo, is
the leader of the Katipuneros who revolt against the Spaniards during 1800s. He is one of the well-
known hero in the Philippines because of his characteristics that is hard to compare to others. In
this movie, It demonstrated the Spanish savagery in the Philippines during their reign. People were
arrested for violating their imposed rules and regulations, people were killed for crossing their
lines, people were taxed through cedulas, people were forced to labor for them, and so on. This
type of treatment instills a strong sense of nationality in every Filipino in that time Whether men
or women, they all want to return to the peaceful country that was once theirs.
In relation of this movie of Andres Bonifacio to Dr. Jose Rizal's life, as the movie progress
from Bonifacio's early ages up to the uprising of the katipunan. Rizal is one of the people who has
a huge impact in the story and the emergence of the katipunan organization. As one of Rizal's main
tactic in rebelling to the Spaniards, Rizal consciously planted and nourished the seed of
nationalism. His novels, essays and proclamations he promoted the idea of freedom and the
eventuality of national independence. Rizal was a reformer at start. When reforms failed, he
campaigned for independence, even if it meant revolt. This may be seen in his novels "Noli Me
Tangere," which focuses on reforms, and "El Filibusterismo," which preaches revolution.
Bonifacio read Rizal's books and probably his two nationalistic pieces, which were published by
La Solidaridad, a reformist Filipino emigres' monthly in Madrid, which Rizal had joined but
subsequently abandoned when he saw their reformist agitation was falling on deaf ears. Rizal wrote
"El Filibusterismo" about this time. Due to this, the katipunan began to emerge and was and was
thus a direct extension of the Liga Filipina. One of the passwords used by Bonifacio for members
of the secret club was "Jose Rizal." That was in honor for Rizal as Bonifacio was admitting that
Rizal was his mentor and inspiration, if not his leader. As it progress the katipunan create the
uprising against the Spaniards, but before it happen, Bonifacio informed Rizal about the revolution
however Rizal objected to Bonifacio’s bold project stating that such would be a veritable suicide.
Rizal stressed that the Katipunan leaders should do everything possible to prevent premature flow
of native blood. Despite of Rizal's disapproval the revolution still occurred and lost numerous lives
from the hands of the tyrants. Rizal sowed the revolution's seed, while Bonifacio watered it. They
were considered as the historical necessity's twins. The forces of history drew them together,
destined for specific roles in our people's battle for nation-building and freedom. The idea of pitting
their legacies against one another goes against the law of history, which states that each historical
figure, like every generation, has a certain role to play in a nation's destiny.
3. Heneral Luna
In every history, there is someone that will have a huge impact to anyone due to their outstanding
heroism that place a certain country in their greatness. One hero that have a strong will power to
guide and persuade people to stand and fight for our country. In honor of the hero who fought until
his last breath against his traitor comrades, is Heneral Antonio Luna. Due to the movie of Heneral
Luna, several youth and individuals had a knowledge about how Luna and his comrade fought
against the American and their people. Set during the Philippine-American war, Heneral Luna
movie follows the life of one of Philippine History’s most brilliant soldier, General Antonio Luna,
as he tries to lead his countrymen against colonial masters new and old, and to rise above their
own raging disputes to fulfill the promise of the Philippine Revolution. Heneral Luna is a film that
not only entertains but also educates audiences on the Filipino people’s struggle against imperial
tyranny. General Luna is a figure of patriotism who fights valiantly for his country’s independence
from imperialism. He was known as a feisty yet intelligent military thinker, which was wonderfully
captured in the film. He’s a man with a lot of flaws, and he’s far from perfect. He is a
knowledgeable and strict general, using his Artikulo Uno, he created fear in his warriors across
the continent. Due to his short temperance, several of his comrades has a grudge and anger towards
him that leads to his death. Betrayal from his own people Is the one that he brought in his grave.
In regards to the connection of Heneral Luna to Dr. Jose Rizal’s life, this two heroes are
acquaintance. In the movie it was mentioned by Luna itself that there was a moment where they
almost brawl because of a woman. It was a summer of 1890 when the two attended a reunion
during which Luna got drunk. Under the alcohol’s influence, he made a sarcastic remark about
Nelly and Rizal. Nelly Boustead, a beautiful mestiza of English and Spanish descent. Luna felt
that he had the first claim on Nelly Boustead but Boustead appeared to be becoming infatuated
with Rizal. In fact, Boustead later became one of the many girlfriends of Rizal. That resulted to an
argument making one challenging the other to a duel. It was one of the moments that made the
movie in a lighter tone. Not only that Luna and Rizal are friend and compatriot when they’re both
studying in Europe. They were belong in an organization known as La Solidaridad or The
Solidarity. It was an organization created in Spain on December 13, 1888. Composed of Filipino
liberals exiled in 1872 and students attending Europe’s universities, the organization aimed to
increase Spanish awareness of the needs of its colony, the Philippines, and to propagate a closer
relationship between the Philippines and Spain. Several Philippine hero are part of the organization
such as Jose Rizal with a pen name called Laon laang, Antonio Luna with a pen name called Taga
ilog, Marcela Del Pilar and so on. Overall their relationship are mainly about being acquainted
since they studied in the Europe, however the relation of Rizal in the movie was all about the
continuation of the Philippine revolution that was created by the Katipunan of Andres Bonifacio
due to the influence of Rizal’s writings and nationalism. Since the Katipunan didn’t accomplished
their purpose it was Luna’s league who continued their revolt towards the tyrants that keep on
pushing forward to conquer our country.
4. Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral
As the time passed by, several Individuals showed their greatness and capabilities at a young age.
In every circumstances you can shine and outshine someone who is far from you, this shows that
age doesn’t matter in accomplishing and proving that you can be on the top. One of the Philippine
heroes who proved that age doesn’t define your leadership was Gregorio Del Pilar or commonly
known as Goyo. In honor for his outstanding leadership and heroism, there is a movie that was
created about his biography. The story of Gregorio ‘Goyo’ del Pilar (Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral
Goyo), one of the youngest Generals during the Philippine-American War who fought in the
historic Battle of Tirad Pass. The film depicts Gregorio Del Pilar’s war as the Republic of the
Philippines’ General Luna died. It was the continuation of the struggle against the Americans,
which Luna failed to complete due to Aguinaldo’s underlings’ deceptions. Gregorio del Pilar, the
famous eagle of Bulacan, is portrayed as a hero, known as fearless and everyone’s sweetheart. He
led the liberation of Bulacan at the age of 23. Due to his popularity, President Emilio Aguinaldo,
adored and idolized by many, propelling him to greater positions. Emilio Aguinaldo favored his
appointment because he was his favorite. He is Aguinaldo’s favorite because he led a platoon in a
fight and they won, which is how the president saw his potentials, and also because he is still
young, Aguinaldo may have felt he is strong and highly loyal, which led to Aguinaldo’s decision
to raise him in rank. However, there is a side of Goyo that most Filipinos are unaware of or have
never seen. Underneath all of his charisma and success is an internal struggle, demonstrating that
even the most powerful, admired heroes are still human individuals in war.
Moreover, the relation of Goyo to Rizal’s life is one of the first things we learn about Jose Rizal
is that he was linked to several women during his lifetime. As a matter of fact, he found a suitable
paramour practically everywhere he went. Segunda Katigbak, Leonor Valenzuela, Leonor Rivera,
Consuelo Ortiga, O-Sei San, Gertrude Beckette, Nelly Boustead, Suzanne Jacoby, and Josephine
Bracken were among the ladies associated with Rizal. His knowledge, charisma, and humor may
have enticed these women. When his heart ultimately settled on Josephine Bracken, an Irish
beauty, he had already established himself as a ladies’ man. As a result, Bracken’s adoptive father
was opposed to the 18-year-old girl marrying a 30-year-old doctor. Similar to Goyo, it was showed
in the movie about his several relationship among woman. They said that Goyo had a reputation
of jumping from one woman to another, also it was mentioned that in every district or places he
step on, he would have a woman beside him. He was known as a playboy and some even say the
term “na-Goyo” to those woman who got fooled by him. In the movie it was also showed a moment
where he ordered the best horses and showed off his horsemanship for all the girls to see his
impressive qualities. One lady caught his eyes known as Dolores Nable Jose, a beautiful heiress
whom he actually looked forward to marrying as soon as the war ended. Besides Dolores, one of
his love interests was Emilio Aguinaldo’s very own sister, Felicidad who reportedly knelt, prayed,
and wept at the exact spot where the young general died in Tirad Pass. Despite of their flaws and
imperfection, their heroism and contribution on eliminating the tyranny of the colonizer in our
country is unforgettable and one of the most significant event in the Philippine history.