Why Heneral Luna is NOT a historical film

Why Heneral Luna is NOT a historical film

Yes. I’ll tell you right away this recent motion picture is NOT a film about history. I’m not saying this as a criticism to the characters, the Philippine history or the national pride itself. I’m pointing out not because this film, whose disclaimer says: “This film is a work of fiction based on facts” but because it asserts, “…while historical accuracy is important, there are bigger truths about the Filipino nation that can only be reached by combining the REAL and IMAGINARY.”

I’m not quite certain what this IMAGINARY truth is. Is it implying our history books have never been accurate similar to the way some theorists believe Constantine tampered the Bible? Is it suggesting we need to connect the dots through logic and imagination that even our beloved heroes have committed villainous mistakes?

Let’s start with the film’s depiction of the lowest hierarchy of heroes – the inexperienced Filipino soldiers themselves. Was it ever mentioned by our HEKASI teachers and their books that most of our soldiers those days are treacherous bad-mouthed cowards? No. This truth is only left to our IMAGINATION. For instance, during the first battle of Luna versus Gen. Arthur MacArthur the film shows how male soldiers tremble and run away from a gun fight while their women stayed, holding their own rifles; laughing at the irony. Did they ever mention to us that they swear “Putang Ina” or “Punyeta” when they’re mad?

No. This is not a historical film.

Then, which of these are real events and which ones are imaginary? Do we have to burry our heads again in piles of Philippine History books for us to say that it matters? Do we have to be surprised how the film tells us that Filipinos those days are no different than Filipinos today? How many men like the antagonistic Kawit Brigade’s Captain taking a nap with a woman instead of helping his dying comrades for us to be shocked and to understand what’s real and what’s not? Or does it take a deeper investigation of historically acclaimed famous heroes such as Paterno, Buencamino, Bonifacio, Del Pilar, Quezon, Mabini and even President Aguinaldo himself?

Time and again, history writers are washing their hands. The pride of our beloved heroes’ families will certainly get hurt when truth about their mistakes and weaknesses are written in books. Yet legends will always live from generation to generation through word of mouth. For certain, historical accounts will never be based on these as they belong to categorical hearsay and thus, as what the film claims: “…BIGGER truths about the Filipino nation…can only be reached by combining the REAL and IMAGINARY.”

As humans, it’s not easy for us to accept our own mistakes and weaknesses. What’s more with our heroes? They have certain negative qualities manifested in the film that most of us are not even aware of. We would all accept Luna’s recklessness, frank speech, brutality or what his American counterparts would [use his name as pun to] describe as “Lunatic actions” as necessary evil (not considering his adulterous womanizing). On the other hand, it would be hard to believe seeing scenes such as Mabini, playing safe all the time advising Aguinaldo along with Paterno and other members of The Cabinet. He even stayed blind and silent after seeing the bloody blades of Luna’s assassins. How about Aguinaldo’s recorded denial on his involvement in the said crime the way he denied his indirect murder of Bonifacio saying “…walang sabwatan, walang nagbanta…natalo lang ako sa digmaan…” (No conspiracy, no threats. I’m just defeated at war.) Both Luna and Bonifacio are noted as threats to his presidential seat.

No. This is not a historical film. History they say, repeats itself. So if everyone’s saying it’s a film about our history do we also say that this is a film of our present? Or even worse, is it a vision of the Filipino future?

Open your eyes then look around you. We would all be HYPOCRITES if we say, we love our country. In the name of progress, we allowed Western mentality to invade us slowly. Through what the foreigners are showing us in our televisions, smartphones and computers we are no longer aware that by being almost entirely dependent on them we have lost our Filipino identity. Sooner or later, we will lose the Philippines itself. Are you prepared to call one another as Americans?

Gradually in just a century, our islands are taken away from us. The film may not be accurate on how much Spain sold the Philippines to America but, it’s no wonder if China will sell Spratlys to them as well. What’s next, Palawan? Rebels are demanding that Mindanao be left alone to become in itself a new country and it’s still a mystery who’s supplying their firearms. Left and right, there’s a threat of dividing Philippines and looming all above us watching is the all-powerful U.S.A. waiting for us to give in knowing every one of us is entirely dependent to them.

There is no escape to independence. Sadly, in the words of General Luna, “…mas magandang mamatay sa digmaan kaysa tanggapin ang pamumuno ng dayuhan,” (it is better to die at war than to accept being dominated by foreigners) which means dying for our country is the ONLY WAY. He knows Filipinos lack willpower, courage and discipline which is why “…meron tayong mas malaking kaaway kaysa sa mga Amerikano – ang ating mga sarili.” (…our biggest enemy are not the Americans but ourselves.)

No. This is not a historical film. This is a modern political satire as a wakeup call to Filipinos. This is what Gen. Luna calls as “…lihim na mensahe…” (A secret message) – To all of us in choosing between the eternal conflicts of our self-interests or national independence. “Bayan o Sarili?”