2 | Heneral Luna

          “Heneral Luna” has made me realized a certain point. It is the film’s slogan, “Bayan O Sarili?” This tagline is suitable in the era that we live in. During the colonial era, the Spanish, American and Japanese, Filipinos did put their sense of nationalism first before their comfort. 

             They have given so much for them and for us to experience freedom. They sacrificed so much, and put their lives in danger. One example is General Antonio Luna, the General during the Philippine-American War. He is known as a strict and disciplined general that is a total disciplinarian to the soldiers of that time. His attitude and his great sense of nationalism were misinterpreted by his fellow soldiers, saying that he is a misunderstanding and a rude general. Some of his political enemies were Felipe Buencamino and Pedro Paterno, they were the ones who are into the movement and colonialization of America in the Philippines. They were thinking about their riches which angered Gen. Luna. That was the time that he asked them furiously with determination, “Bayan o Sarili?” There are times that we only think the benefits for ourselves, selfish it is. That quote must be always in our mind and realize that we do not only live for ourselves but for other people too, especially our countrymen. I am on the side of Gen. Luna, which is on the “Bayan” side, because if not because of heroes like him, we would not experience the satisfaction of sovereignty and freedom that we have. 

No colonizers and no external control, we are independent. How lovely is that? The movie also made me realized that it was never good to separate with your group. In the movie, the group is the group of Filipinos. The point I am pertaining to is the bond between the government officials are weak. If the government is weak, then the country’s status will also be weak. A team should be together, not far away from each other. There should be one goal and one step in achieving that goal. The goal for Independence was not easily achieved during that time. In the present era, we could relate this to simple group tasks like group projects. If one member did not participate, the ability of a group to perform a certain task will be less than the full potential of the group to perform an excellent job if all of the members would be doing their responsibilities. These points of the movie are what struck me the most, lessons that we may bring anywhere. 

Heneral Luna is a movie that we did not have for quite some time now. It is the movie that has light up the inner spark of our nationalistic self. The movie that opened our eyes on the evil truths of our national history. A movie that has taught the lessons of nationalism, betrayal, love, faith and service. Truths that until now are lingering in our minds, hearts and souls. Truths that would tell us that Heneral Luna is alive and will remain alive - the way that we would like the story to have ended.