Recson Jade P.

Boongaling

TVL-CSS

Characters :
Antonio Luna Younger Antonio Luna Sgt. Diaz

Emilio Aguinaldo José Alejandrino Spanish Commanding

Officer
Joven Hernando Maj Peter Lori Smith
Costales
Apolinario Mabini French Lady
Pedro Paterno
Gregorio del Pilar Felipe Buencamino
Tomas Mascardo
Paco Roman Isabel
Juan Luna
Eduardo Rusca one of the General
Laureana Luna
Manuel Bernal Nurse
American Officer
José Bernal Pedro Janolino

Settings :
Binondo, Manila, Santo Tomas, Pampanga, Calumpit, Bulacan, Plaza Lucero,
Cabanatuan City

Summary :
Set during the Philippine-American war, Heneral Luna follows the life of one of
Philippine History's most brilliant soldier, General Antonio Luna, as he tries to lead his
countrymen against colonial masters new and old, and to rise above their own raging
disputes to fulfill the promise of the Philippine Revolution. Set during the Philippine-
American war, a short-tempered Filipino general faces an enemy more formidable than the
American army: his own treacherous countrymen.
Reflection :
In this film, Antonio Luna is depicted as a real human being, full of virtues as well
as faults. It stimulates a special kind of reflection we need in rethinking our own state of
patriotism and sense of nationalism and nationhood. This film enables us to understand
not just the life of Luna but also the historical context of his struggle and heroism. The
Choleric Filipino General Antonio Luna as what I have perceived from the movie has this
notoriety of being a “hot-headed” individual but he is beyond than that. I find Antonio
Luna as powerful, passionate and resilient. He is fierce and is not afraid to go after what
he wants. He has a very complex personality he is extremely powerful and capable but is
also highly emotional.

Reaction :
The movie is a real eye opener. I felt sad, angry, and even almost hostile towards my
fellow countrymen who betrayed Luna. T h e r e a l “ E n e m y o f t h e F i l i p i n o s ” a r e
their “Fellow Filipinos”. Unless there is no unity among ourselves, how
can we expect our country to be independent and win agai nst the
invader? It is such a pity that betrayal and corruption are evident
before, which led to our defeat against the Americans. The film shows
that aside from arms and weapons, education should also be used to
fight the colonizers.