(Side comment: I have waited so long for this film, and i guess the wait was worth it. Please see it if you still haven’t! Kudos to Tarog and team!  All photos are from the film.)

The Boy General

Gregorio del Pilar or Goyo from my younger student years was admired for being a general from a very young age of 23. If you expect to admire him more in this film, sorry to burst your bubbles. Tarog was able to shift our perspectives on issues surrounding the young general. Privileged, reckless, vain (who gets a gold tooth in Hongkong???? does anybody got time fo that General? we’re on a war, remember????), immature, and unfocused; this film has tried to break the pedestal, Goyo had long-rested upon.

Goyo’s validation and motivation mostly came from external factors. A crowd charmer, the Romeo with Juliet in every town, “Agila,” and Aguinaldo’s favorite general; there was less of how Goyo personally viewed himself, the principles he believed in (unlike with Luna). We weren’t given a clue as to what he was really fighting for. But if the film was able to make one thing clear, it’s Goyo’s loyalty to Aguinaldo. Goyo is the epitome of nepotism of Aguinaldo’s government. A young boy with a weight of commanding a bunch of immature, tired, hungry, and outnumbered army; the revolution was indeed doomed to fail.

Not Another Luna

The film has its own charm. It was actually a whole lot calmer but darker compared to Luna. The colors were also subdued. Heneral Luna’s so aggressive that you’d find yourself angry at the end of the film, while Goyo would make you ask a lot of questions. If Luna made you realize not everyone dies a hero’s death, Goyo would make you ask what really a hero’s death is supposedly? Do we really need heroes?

Soldiers Not Heroes

The film gives off a feeling of how Goyo was revered a hero even before his senseless death in Tirad. He was indeed well-loved by many. You’d also see how Goyo has enjoyed this much attention from people. But in contrast, it has also shown how the Philippines need not of heroes, not idols on pedestal. The Philippines during his time need soldiers; soldiers as defenders of freedom, loyal and focused to the cause.

The film was able to emphasize on how putting your loyalty on people you idolize would be pointless because they will eventually die over the course of time. But the Philippines will remain. Your loyalty should rest on your country.

“Ano ba ang halaga ng isang bayani? Bakit tayo pirming nakatingala, sumasamba nang walang pagdududa?”

Remedios

Remedios for me, is a metaphor to the Philippines in the film. One of my favorite lines was actually from her. It was when she said, “baka isipin ng heneral na madaling masindak ang mga babae dito.” #GRRRRLPWR

Goyo’s charm with the girls made Remedios feel a sense of insecurity to the sincerity of his intentions. After all, he was really unfocused and wavering. In her letter to Goyo she said that she need not of a hero in the clouds, she need a hero she can embrace in her arms because he has already accomplished his duties to his country. She was known to be the last of the many loves of the boy general.

Goyo’s of Today

Goyo must have died a long time ago but his case is still present today. The challenge of the film is to always ask and question, even the systems you benefit from. We may not learn anything right from our heroes, but let’s try to atleast learn from their mistakes. I’d end this with my fave line, “Kaya na bang marinig ng mga Pilipino ang katotohan na hindi napipikon?”