Mizpah L.

Salvador
Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral
Reaction Paper
“Tandaan mo kung sino ka.”
This film, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral, directed by Jerrold Tarog is another game-changer
for our local films; not just because of its historical theme but also due to its quality. Through little
by little steps, it leads more Filipino movies to more improvements that can be done; those that
can be in the same level with that of the international ones.
The acting skills of the actors and actresses were carried out in a powerful way. It is obvious
how much effort did they made for being attached to the character they portrayed. The statements
they throw to each scene made the film itself more realistic because of their effective delivery of
their dialogues and their expressions being very “Filipino”. The cinematography is very artistic
and vivid as well. The structure of the plot, most especially, made it to have a different point of
view of the Philippine-American war; which can also affect how we look into other parts or events
in our country’s history.
History itself is never my thing, but this movie made it more interesting for me, as a student
and as a Filipino. Movies of this kind would help the younger and future generations to look at
history in a different way, in a different perspective. They will not be boxed in the idea of hero
worship which is mostly what the textbooks are implying. It is noticeable how their acceptable and
favorable actions have been narrated since elementary but only a little or there is no even focus for
the faults they did. In which was given focus on here, that can give us lessons to learn from of and
not repeat it on the succeeding years of our life being a Filipino.
It is very insightful in such a way that it focuses on the self-reflection of flaws and mistakes
done by the protagonist of the story, Gregorio del Pilar or Goyo; unlike other motion pictures that
emphasizes only the positive stuff done by hero/es and not his/her/their errors before. Goyo’s
introspection helped him shift his mindset; and this resulted to him being able to fulfill his
responsibilities and duties despite his young age and lack of experiences in life.
All in all, I can say that to be able to satisfy and accomplish your roles and obligations, you
should learn to examine yourself. Appreciate yourself for your achievements and analyze yourself
on your shortcomings and downfalls; what you could have done and how you should have executed
it. So that in time, you will not be blinded by that imperfection of yours.