FILM: JERROLD TAROG’S HENERAL LUNA (2015)

 FILIPINOS DESERVE GREAT EPIC FILMS, FEARLESS SCREENWRITING, AND THEIR STORIES TOLD

For his valour and integrity in serving the Filipino people and the Motherland, General Antonio Luna was killed by Aguinaldo’s men on June 5, 1899.

Mildred German 

Unceded Territories – It is the Filipino Heritage Month, a month-long celebration in Canada and some parts of the world, which takes place every June. It correlates to the celebrations pertaining to the June 12 Philippine Independence Day.

Celebrated by those in the Philippines and in the diaspora, June 12 Philippine Independence Day celebrations heighten many Filipinos’ sense of patriotism and love for the country.

Commonly referred to as the Motherland, the Philippines, its history, liberation struggles, and epic liberation battles magnetize much interest and inspiration intergenerationally and cross-culturally.

From cultural to political events, the June 12 event lures leaders, politicians, and those curious of the Filipino people to their stories and culture. Arts, poetry, music, stages, and films are some of the many venues where inspirations flow .

HENERAL LUNA (2015), DIRECTED BY JERROLD TAROG

“Ganito ba talaga ang tadhana natin? Kalaban ng kalaban. Kalaban ng kakampi. Nakakapagod. (Is this really our fate? Enemy of our enemies. Enemy of our comrades. So tiring.)” – General Antonio Luna, “Heneral Luna” film

Since time immemorial to modern days, storytelling, as a tradition, also has strongly influenced many Filipino values. Stories which present many real-life events and real-life lessons are still passed through many generations and remain influential in shaping our nation and history.

“Heneral Luna” is the 2015 film directed by Jerrold Tarog and produced by Artikulo Uno Productions which serves its purpose of modern-day storytelling. The highly acclaimed and much criticized film was the Philippines’ entry for the 2016 Oscars in the best foreign language film category.

Notably, Heneral Luna is one of the most expensive Filipino epic films ever released. Initially, this film was poised to be pulled from the theatres, until it became a subject of a successful campaign that put it back in the theatres.

This highly acclaimed and criticized film also answers to the long desire for great, critical, and epic Filipino storytelling. This film stands as proof that Filipinos deserve their stories told, and to do so.

PATRIOTISM, LOVE FOR THE MOTHERLAND, AND THE BRUTAL EXPENSE OF SELF-INTEREST

“Nasubukan mo na bang habulin ang hangin? (Have you tried chasing the wind?”) -Apolinario Mabini, “Heneral Luna” film.

The sense of patriotism, love for the Motherland, and the brutal expense of self-interest are well-reflected in Tarog’s “Heneral Luna”. It also touches themes of comradery and the failures of a “collective struggle” meant to protect and liberate (but did not).

Set in the time of the Philippine-American War (February 4, 1899 to July 2, 1902), Heneral Luna’s fearless screenwriting also speak to the many essences of the Filipino culture, including the bittersweet and the poignant. The film covers the happy, the good, and the bad essences and historical accounts surrounding a revolutionary movement during the Philippine-American War.

To those who do not know General Antonio Luna, he was a Filipino general, regarded as the most brilliant of the Filipino military officers during the Philippine-American War. He too was the founder of the Philippine’s first military academy which existed during the First Philippine Republic. He  is the brother of Juan Luna, the artist behind the world-renowned masterpiece entitled, “Spoliarium”.

ON VALOR AND INTEGRITY, AND THE HIGH MORALE RIGHTEOUSNESS IN SERVING THE PEOPLE AND COUNTRY

“Walang nakakaangat sa batas! (Nobody is above the law!”) -General Antonio Luna, “Heneral Luna” film

Not only is its cinematography superb, Jerrold Tarog’s Heneral Luna  upholds fearless screenwriting. Through its many quotable quotes, this film has unashamedly echoed the many wisdom and of the taboo present in the Filipino culture.

This biopic also testifies to the passion, valor, and high moral righteousness of the main character famous for his short-temperedness, strict commands, and discipline.

As this is a story based on the life and death of a high-ranking official, namely General Antonio Luna, the film also touches  on how integrity, high moral righteousness, and God-fearing service to the country and the people are rare and priceless.

THE MONTH OF JUNE NOT ONLY MARKS AGUINALDO’S PROCLAMATION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE, BUT ALSO THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF GENERAL LUNA

June not only marks Aguinaldo’s proclamation of Philippine Independence but also the untimely death of General Antonio Luna.  Luna was killed by Aguinaldo’s men in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija on June 5, 1899. https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1669/today-in-philippine-history-j une-5-1899-general-antonio-luna-was-killed-by-aguinaldos-men-in-cabanat uan

The Americans has pointed the finger to Aguinaldo for the mystery surrounding General Luna’s untimely death (although the assassination was never completely solved and killers were never put to justice).

In addition, in Philippine society, many collective flaws and failing actions are seen as part of human nature and of the Filipino culture, and the blame is usually on the targeted and the victim. Many have argued that the blame on Aguinaldo for Luna’s death is unfair, as there are other villains in the complex story, and that (again) there is no trial against Aguinaldo as the assassin to prove his guilt or innocence.

It is noteworthy that the movie depicts that General Luna’s military decisions are met with resistance from soldiers who are loyal only to “President” Aguinaldo and that there were others who have taken the stand to open arms to the Americans.

However, although deemed by General Luna as espionage, the elites and those who please the Americans and approve of their presence and wrong doings are conspirators and traitors.

Although  justice that has  not been served, General Luna’s death invokes lessons. His death is the result of the disloyalty of his fellow men, compatriots, and “comrades” in the Philippine liberation struggle.

TRAITOR! COWARDS! ASSASSINS! – A PATRIOT’S LAST WORDS

“May mas malaki tayong kalaban sa mga Amerikano – ang ating sarili. (We have a bigger contender than the Americans– ourselves).” – Gen. Antonio Luna

Undeniably, General Luna’s tragic death under Aguinaldo’s men portray insights into the dishonesty, lack of integrity, and self-interests which affect “collective struggles” and liberation movements.

General Luna’s tragic death also stands as a testimony to the failure and fall of a “collective struggle” with rotten values and low morale. It is indeed unfortunate that a patriot like the passionate General Luna was assassinated and killed by fellow Filipinos, rather than the Americans.

Thus, the Heneral Luna story is one that will be remembered  despite valour, high moral righteousness, and discipline, no one is spared from the fangs of those who lack integrity and those who uphold evil morale.

HENERAL LUNA: THE TRUE COST AND SACRIFICE IN LEADING MOVEMENTS

Lateral violence, brutality, colonial attitudes, and even extra-judicial killings have remained committed by fellow Filipinos in the name of national liberation.

Aguinaldo remains a key person depicted in the back of the Philippine 5-peso monetary bill, he remains a popular figure for declaring the June 12 Philippine Independence. As this independence proclamation symbolizes the Filipino nation’s liberation desires, it does not necessarily reflect the reality of the Filipino nation’s sovereignty.

As history repeats itself, so are the multiple errors that come repeatedly, remain committed, tolerated, condoned, or put under the rug.

Heneral Luna will also be amongst those films that highly cross recommendations, such as those who dehumanize others are not the ones who must lead the struggle. The Filipino people deserve better and  only true heroes who  are  willing to sacrifice, including their  self-centeredness and self-interests.

EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLINGS FOR VALIDATION AND TO PLEASE THE ENEMY

Films such as Heneral Luna depict true-to-life events that spur many thoughts and conclusions in the many accounts happening then and now.

Beside historical figures, we too are products of the history in the present making.

LASTLY, IS THE PHILIPPINES INDEPENDENT, OR NOT?

June 12 Philippine Independence Day is one of these influential events in Philippine history inspired by thoughts of freedom and independence.

As these  celebrations  are proof of the interest in  the historical events of the Philippines, critical conversations remain taboo.

“Is this independence a de-facto?” are some of the questions that remain taboo. There are still many debates and questions, particularly surrounding the Philippine-American War and the US motives and its presence from then to date.

Without General Antonio Luna, has Emilio Aguinaldo’s leadership and proclamation of “Philippine Independence” fallen into epic regrets?

These testify to the reality of how internal conflicts, lack of integrity, low morale, blind and rotten movements, are not the keys and not gatekeepers to our most-desired national liberation as the First Republic shows.

Heneral Luna is accessible and available via TBA Studios Youtube channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYWo6FoVacY&t=1729s.

Starring John Arcilla, Mon Confiado, Arron Villaflor, Joem Bascon, Archie Alemania, Art Acuña, Alex Medina, Nonie Buencamino, Lorenz Martinez, Epy Quizon, Alvin Anson, Mylene Dizon, Bing Pimentel, Leo Martinez, Ketchup Eusebio, Ronnie Lazaro, Paulo Avelino, Heneral Luna won multiple awards in the Philippines and acclamation from around the world.

Jerrold Tarog was born in Manila and grew up in Canlubang, Laguna. He was the only child of Jose, an Overseas Filipino Worker from Bicol, and Aurora, who hails from Leyte.