Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral

a tale of a young soldier.  It was directed perfectly by Jerrold Tarog. The characters of the movie have executed their roles amazingly as if it was them as if it was their own personalities. I give extra credits to the man who portrayed the role of Gregorio “GOYO” del Pilar, Mr. Paulo Avelino. Alongside him, are actors and actresses who themselves successfully managed to give justice to their roles;  Carlo Aquino who portrayed “Vicente Enriquez” a close dear friend of Goyo, Rafael Siguion-Reyna who portrayed “Julian del Pilar” the brother of Goyo, Arron Villaflor as “Joven Hernando” he became a dear friend of Goyo, Mon Confiado as “President Emilio Aguinaldo“, Epy Quizon as “Apolinario Mabini”, Empress Schuck as “Felicidad Aguinaldo” and the love interest of Goyo was played by Gwen Zamora as “Remedios Nable Jose” those people are just few who have been part of the historical movie. The movie was first screened on September 5, 2018, a year has passed since it was witnessed by audiences.

Summary ; 

After the assassination of General Antonio Luna enters the president’s favorite and the AGILA, Gen. Gregorio “GOYO” del Pilar who has known to have fought on one of the most historic battles in history but in every person lies a secret to be discovered,  inside himself was a battle over his sanity and yet he has seemingly portrayed throughout the movie regardless of the internal battle that lies in his head, Is his greater dedication to fight and be a soldier.. At the beginning of the movie, Goyo was tasked to force the Bernal brothers to be under his wing and fight alongside aguinaldo’s reign for the freedom of Filipinos from the Americans but it led to the bloody death of Manuel Bernal. But as the last words of Bernal were spoken  “Hindi ka Sundalo, Isa Kang Aso” Goyo’s sanity seems to be on chaos and it remained till the end. An interaction between Gen. Alejandrino and Apolinario Mabini was also showed where the General stated: “Isang henerasyon ng mga duwag at mga sinungaling ang naki-angkas sa laban na ito”. Wherein he also put emphasis on how disappointing is the congress of the Philippines, for they are the ones desperately bowing their heads to the Americans. The movie continues as it emphasis on one flaw of Goyo which is his womanizing ways but as his eyes were mesmerized of the regal and beauty of Remedios Nable Jose, as he had ventured to pursue Remedios regardless of the cold shoulder being given away nevertheless Goyo had somehow proved to Remedios his love but it was actually too late besides Remedios there was also Felicidad Aguinaldo, the president’s sister and a past lover of Goyo who had entered the scene and it seems she still harbors some unrequited feelings towards Goyo. The brotherhood formed between Goyo, Vicente, Julian, and Joven was also highlighted in amidst of everything they have bonded In the scene where Goyo had a nightmare and invited the three to swim but that was also the time where he foreshadowed his own death. It was yet a serene 5 months with no Americans attacking but between those months, monsters under the bed waiting till your alone they start to creep out and torment you. Goyo has experienced this as he kept having nightmares. And yet after 5 peaceful months unexpectedly and unprepared the war slowly haunted their system prior to what Joven stated “Dumating na ang panahon na kinakatakutan ko halos limang Buwan na kaming nalunod sa huwad na kapayapaan”  it was a sham and all along they were blinded on what has yet to come in front of their eyes and the Journey towards Tirad Pass has begun. Evident in their faces where hunger, pain, and exhaustion for the seemingly endless journey they have been venturing and in what they thought it was impossible to find hope, Goyo remembered who he was! He is not the dog of the president but he is a Soldier willing to fight for his country no matter what, he is the “AGILA”. Because what they are fighting for is their lives and at that moment, they found a possibility to be able to fight back with the Americans. “Walang mga bayani sa bundok na ito, tayo’y mga sundalo na puno ng pag-ibig at hindi ng galit” “Nais nyo bang mamatay na tumatakbong mga duwag o mamatay sa pakikipaglaban, Nawa’y mgaing tapat tayo sa ating mga salita” these were exactly the last reminders of Goyo to all the solders. But sadly, all their efforts were not enough if only the soldiers were brave enough and loyal with their principles to fight till the end but no, they have chosen to run, they weren’t loyal for what they are fighting for. And I quote once again what Gen. Alejandrino had stated: “Isang henerasyon ng mga duwag at mga sinungaling ang naki-angkas sa laban na ito”. As Goyo was fallen to death, it was as if the Philippines wals also shot to their death. As the movie ends with Mabini’s words “Paulit – ulit kong ipinahiwatig kay Ginoong Aguinaldo na ang tangi nyang kaligtasan ay ang marangal na kamatayan nya sa digmaan, ang kabayanihan na iyon ang magbabalik ng kanyang dakilang reputasyon at syang magbibigay ng karangalan sa Pilipino gaya ng sakripisyo ni Dr. Jose Rizal” “Gusto kong patunayan na marunong tayong makidigma na may kadakilaan at paninindigan pero dahan dahan na akong naniniwala na dapat nga tayong tawaging mga bata” that will always make us remember of the failed attempt to get the freedom and independence we have yearn from the Americans. We could’ve been successful if we are One.

The cinematography was superb I have nothing else to say but praises on how well is it done As if I was right in that same place. The setting was also convincing and realistic and appropriate to the movie. And every second of the story was never boring it was exciting , entertaining and thrilling to watch, as the movie has a humorous side courtesy of Goyo and his soldiers there was never a dull moment but it unleashes a heartbreaking, painful and resentment emotions to what has become to us, to our fallen brave soldiers that have fought in the war their lives were sacrificed for the glory of our country and they deserved to be remembered. to all those people who are responsible for a fraud government, they hadn’t contributed a worthy and noble sacrifice at all instead they are the ones who betrayed us. The movie was the key to open the eyes of every Filipinos towards the hidden story of our country that should’ve been seen and heard by all. A story to remind us that until now we are still the same. Its plot was not only about how Goyo was a hero, it was a reminder for us that while we are looking upon him he is also human full of flaws but regardless of it he had done everything he could for our beloved Country And at the same time, it was an evidence on how even fellow Filipinos, have been struggling to be one and how we shamelessly stabbed each other in the back just because they are a hindrance to our plans.

Analysis;

I have come to love and hate the movie at the same time. I loved every second of the movie and made me appreciate all those people out there willing to sacrifice for their lives regardless of the circumstances that might occur, I love the cinematography as it was beautifully done, Every battle scenes were very realistic especially their journey towards Tirad pass as exhaustion was really visible towards the face of every person,  The humor of the movie was also good it was all in all light but heartbreaking. The literature of the movie was also amusing, it brought emphasis towards yesterday’s culture that has been long forgotten now. Every detail screams our past. The courtship between Goyo and Remedios that took 5 months, Celebrations being celebrated and also our moral values. The movie was a ticket to our wonderful past. I have nothing against the movie but instead I have come to hate on what had happened to our beloved country why must we fall to the hands of wrong people that’ll lead us to our own despair, why must we be slaves and mute towards our freedom, why can’t we fight for what is ours? Are we really truly a bunch of cowards? This was exactly what Mabini pertained to “Nabigo ang rebolusyon dahil mali ang pamumuno dito. Sa halip na suportahan ni Aguinaldo ang mga taong tunay na naglilingkod sa bayan tinaggalan pa sila ng pakinabang, ang mahalaga kay Aguinaldo ay hindi ang abilidad at pagibig sa bayan ng isang tao kundi ang kanyang pakikisama. Dahil pinabayaan nya ang taong bayan iniwan din sya ng mga ito at mabubuwal syang parang estatwang walang halaga” and “Mas unang pipiliin ang kaginhawaan kesa sa sariling dignidad ito na nga ata ang tanda ng asal nating bata” Why did we ever end up in the hands of wrong people who have chosen their lives than our country. I hate how until now we are being dogs and afraid to speak out. This is not who we are, we are more than this. But the movie also depicts that until now our country is as bad as it is.

Conclusion:

I absolutely recommend this movie to all Filipinos, this not just a movie this our history that demands to be watched and demands to open our eyes towards what is happening, demand to hear the pleas of people in the sideline especially the movie was not just battling against the Americans but with also our fellow Filipinos, how we have stabbed each other in the back repeatedly out of fear and personal interest. Let us not make history repeat itself instead let us advocate towards one goal for the peace of our country. Let us not be foes instead let us be comrades fighting side by side until the end for our Inang Bayan. We lack to unite and be one. I recommend this to you not just because it demands to but because everything was beautifully executed and I will repeatedly describe to you how I was speechless for every scene I have watched it is not just a movie it is our story.

 

 

 

21st Century Literature

                  

Literature can be labeled as a boring subject by almost all of the students but I tell you I am different. Literature for me personally has been always an interesting and enticing topic for us to explore. Because I personally love Reading, I find genuine happiness and emotions once I am immersed with the books I am reading, I come to encounter to understand different lessons in life that is worth reading and through reading my eyes are open to see the things that I’ve been ignoring in real life.

But literature doesn’t only limit us to just “simply reading” it introduces us to different perspectives of authors, all their ideas and life lessons that help us realize the value of life. It also becomes an instrument to share personal experiences and creativity of one’s person furthermore it deepens our knowledge.

The 21st Century Literature became a reminder for us readers, to remember those we have forgotten. All those cultural values that should have been always within us and those moral values that seem to be stagnant. And through exploring the 21st-century literature we will be reminded of those values and maybe we can start applying those values with ourselves once again.

One of the best things that literature contributes to our life is that it helps us realize the importance of reading. Sadly, people view reading as a boring hobby but they have been misunderstanding the concept of reading which is to give entertainment and knowledge. One of its importance for me is that it helps me widen my vocabulary thus I love encountering unfamiliar words and knowing what it means.

Oh and don’t forget about how through poetry one’s deepest feelings can be interpreted but sometimes what we feel cannot be put into words. Poetry is literature that awakens our different emotions as we immersed with every word used and through poetry, we can describe every pain and happiness we felt just remember that words that rhymes make it better.

So, in conclusion, 21st-century literature is very interesting you just have to explore it further to understand more.