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.”
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?”
