Heneral Luna (2015)

Directed by: Jerrold Tarog

 Summary of the Film

General Antonio Luna (John Arcilla), commander of the

revolutionary army, is spoiling for a fight. After three hundred
years as a Spanish colony, the Philippines must endure a new
foreign power: The United States of America. General Luna wants
to fight for freedom but members of the elite want to strike a deal
with the Americans. The infighting is fierce in the new cabinet but
General Luna and his loyal men forge ahead even as his military
decisions are met with resistance from soldiers who are loyal only
to President Aguinaldo (Mon Confiado). Ultimately, it is the
general’s legendary temper and pride that bring him to his death
when a pack of presidential guards assassinate him in broad
daylight. While American newspapers blame Aguinaldo, the
mystery of General Luna’s assassination was never completely
solved and his killers never put to justice.

The story took place during the Philippine-American War, focusing

on the leadership of Heneral Luna to the Philippine Revolutionary
Army. It revolved not only about the war against the Americans, but
mainly on the conflict among Filipinos. The issue was about the
presence of Americans and other Filipinos supporting the
Americans’ ways such as Buencamino and Paterno. The idea of
fellow Filipinos supporting Americans enraged Heneral Luna for he
was very patriotic and strongly fought for the freedom of the
Philippines. Though Luna was considered to be a great leader of the
army, some were against his leadership for others envy or were
threatened by his presence. He had conflicts with other fellow
generals such Mascardo which lead to more hatred against Luna.

Luna was assassinated at Aguinaldo’s headquarters. He was framed

that the President called him, though upon his arrival he already
left and Buencamino was the one in the office. During their
argument, shots were fired outside so Luna went out to inspect. The
brutal killing happened as Janolino appeared, captain of Kawit that
he also had a fight with, killing him along with the other soldiers
against Luna. He was shot and stabbed repeatedly to death. Other
 loyal soldiers to Luna were killed including the Bernal brothers.
Heneral Luna was buried with full military honors as ordered by
Aguinaldo by the same men who killed him.

Heneral Antonio Luna’s killers were never found and still remains a
controversy up to now.

 Characters/Cast

John Arcilla…………......as…………. Gen. Antonio Luna

Arron Villaflor…………...as…............Joven Hernando
Mon Confiado…………… as…............Emilio Aguinaldo
Bing Pimentel…………… as…............Doña Laureana Luna
Mylene Dizon…………….as…............Isabel
Lorenz Martinez………… as…............Gen. Tomas Mascardo
Joem Bascon……………. as…………...Col. Paco Roman
Alvin Anson……………… as…............Gen. Jose Alejandrino
Alex Vincent Medina…... as……………Capt. Jose Bernal (as Alex
Medina)
Arthur Acuña…………….as…………...Maj. Manuel Bernal (as Art Acuña)
Archie Alemania.............as…............Capt. Eduardo Rusca
Jeffrey Quizon…............ as……………Apolinario Mabini (as Epy Quizon)
Leo Martinez………………as…………. Pedro Paterno
Nonie Buencamino….….as…………...Felipe Buencanimo
Ketchup Eusebio..………as…............Capt. Janolino
Paulo Avelino…………….as……………Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar
Dennis Marasigan………as…………...Esteban Costales
Marc Abaya……………….as……………Antonio Luna In Madrid
David Bianco………….….as……….…. Maj. Peter Lori Smith
Jennifer Blair-Bianco.….as…............French Lady
Julia Enriquez…............ as……………Head Medic
Anthony Falcon………….as……………Sgt. Diaz
Kevin Limjoco…………….as…………. Spanish Commanding Officer
Kuya Manzano...............as…………...Spanish businessman
Brent Metken……………. as……………Capt. Frears
Japo Parcero………….….as…............Female Soldier
Allan Paule....................as…............Juan Luna In Madrid
Edgar Ebro....................as…............Extra (uncredited)
 Film Review

One of the most expensive and highest-grossing Filipino films of all

time, “Heneral Luna” is a rousing, warts-and-all portrait of Gen.
Antonio Luna, the brilliant and brusque strategist whose command
of troops in the Philippine-American War (1899-1902) was cut
short by betrayal from within his own ranks. Film critics may
argue how today's mainstream industry only seem focused on
pandering audiences with popular love-teams, zany comedies,
recycled plots, and the latest adultery drama - sometimes (if not
most of the time) slapping a popular song as a title to go with it.
Perhaps it is our inclination to play it safe. What works with one
movie will surely work with another – and nine out of ten usually
do. With such easy success, moviemakers almost seem afraid to
break out of their comfort zones.

Heneral Luna happily moves away from the mainstream. Not only
is it an indie film, it is also a historical one at that. A film that is
undoubtedly a big risk. A big risk that pays off. Initially slated for
very short screenings in theaters (to give way to Hollywood
blockbusters), public clamor and online protests have prodded
cinemas to give Heneral Luna an extension. It has garnered praise
from both critics and viewers as a triumphant masterpiece. The
film has also been chosen as the official Philippine selection for the
Best Foreign Language Film category of the 2016 Academy Awards
(Oscars).

So, what is it about Jerold Tarog’s film that seems to resonate with
audiences? What makes Heneral Luna stand out from other
previous historical biopics? All the answers lie in the film itself.
Heneral Luna succeeds in a lot of areas without skimping on
quality or relying on popular actors to garner publicity. The
cinematography is stunning and the rarely-done period backdrop
of a young Philippines is a character of her own. Complemented
with a score that is subtle, haunting, and powerful, the scenes are
both evocative and provocative. The special effects are not jarring,
but play like a natural element in the story. Perhaps the only gripe
is this: some animated sequences as well as a couple of awkward
transitions could have been executed better. But as a whole the
film has heart, its characters the very beat that makes the plot
throb with life. Antonio Luna’s character is the fiery general with a
vision – a Philippines liberated from the enemy. But it is not the
Americans that pose the biggest threat. Regionalism, self-interest,
and divided loyalties create the downfall for not only one man but
for the entire country.

John Arcilla’s portrayal of Luna, together with the rest of the cast,
is human – flawed, engaging, and relatable. In fact, there is no
attempt to portray any of the prominent historical figures free of
flaws or to make them absolute paragons of nationalistic idealism.
They are as they were in the past: of flesh and blood. This film
provokes issues regarding our past, such as the questionable
motivations of our leaders and the swept-under-the-rug political
agenda. It has also led to an ardent discussion on the concepts of
patriotism and nationhood, sparked a renewed interest in the
somewhat tragic past of our country, and raised uncomfortable
questions about our leaders and ourselves.

Tarog’s film proves that historical film can be made and can be
successful. It is especially timely considering we are near the cusp
of electing our country’s new leaders. Just like in the country’s
Revolution, our downfall or victory is in our hands. Do we charge
for change like Luna in the battlefield? Do we sit in a table and
argue among ourselves? Or are we all Joven, watching the flag of
our potentials burn to ashes? Sadly, history is too easily forgotten.
The film reminds us that history has lessons we could learn from,
it cautions us from repeating mistakes made in the past. We only
need to take a look at our country today to realize that history has
never left us.

Production design by Benjamin Padero and Carlo Tabije, art

direction by Katrina P. Napigkit and costume design by Padero
vividly bring to life an era that few viewers outside the Philippines
will have seen on big or small screens.  Cinematographer Pong
Ignacio confirms his rising-star status with gorgeous widescreen
lensing of lush rural areas, artful compositions in sequences inside
the corridors of power and fluid, exciting coverage of the many
combat set-pieces. Tarog’s traditional orchestral score is big and
brassy when the moment calls for it, and nicely restrained when
quiet is required. A high standard of excellence is achieved in
pyrotechnics, vfx work and all other technical areas.
 Reaction Paper

Nowadays, people who would rather risk their lives for the sake of
their country are rarely to be found. It’s actually unusual and
weird to implant in the mind that some would actually do that. It’s
hard to choose between your family and your country, but what’s
harder is to risk your own happiness for a satisfying painful death.

Surely, many people have heard about Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres
Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo – the Philippines most famous
heroes, but actually they aren’t the only heroes we know, and not
all the “truth” are stated in the books. Heneral Luna is a historical
film about one of the Philippines’ greatest generals.  He was the
most intelligent in the Philippine military, the wisest man who ever
ruled the Philippine system in fighting using brilliant tactics
instead of technology. “Hindi natin sila matatalo sa teknolohiya,
pero tatalunin natin sila sa taktika” This was one of the lines that
caught my attention proving that his decisions are different when
it comes to winning wars. Emilio Aguinaldo even stated that
Heneral Luna was one of his best war generals under him and he
never regret anything during his time simply because Luna was at
his right side.  Heneral Luna doesn’t fear anything or anyone
except his mom.  He would even go after corrupt officials and even
the president, Emilio Aguinaldo if he thinks that Aguinaldo was up
to something bad but still some people are stupid, idiotic, pea-
brains, and they would go after Luna without thinking that they
could eat a “knuckle sandwich” after their confrontation. I still
don’t get why they killed our bravest general. People were
consumed by their infinite greed and vanity.  People got angry at
him for being so short-tempered, he was not a smooth-talker,
smart, and being the president’s favorite general. Even Gen.
Douglas McArthur said that they could have been best friends by
any circumstances but the people before were demonic enough to
kill the Philippines’ only hope for liberation against the Americans.

He is uneducated when it comes to English nevertheless, he was a

great doctor. Even if he belonged to a wealthy family, he still chose
to live a hard-troubled life in order for him to accomplish his
mission in gaining Philippine independence. His patriotism can’t
be measured and it is boundless as the ocean, as high as Mt.
Everest and as strong as a tree bowing its branches up to God. He
might be arrogant sometimes, hot-tempered but he had respect
and basically not everybody possesses that trait.
 This movie is awesome! And surely it would create droplets of tears
in your eyes whenever you remembered the movie. It would really
touch your heart and would make you realize that life isn’t all
about happiness but of sacrifice. He never had justice at his death
But God Knows that He accomplished something great. Few only
truly love our country, we don’t know and even heard but Luna
truly sacrificed a lot.

 How it Reflects or Reinforces Cultural Stereotypes

“It is better to die in war, than to be invaded by Americans”

Heneral Luna is without a doubt a work of art, which illustrates

how power, in terms of political circumstances, affects our history
and the whole mankind. To see the film for the first time has driven
me into this feeling of immense anger and sorrow for our much-
loved country. The fact that Filipinos themselves have killed our
own fellowmen and even the most capable hero in war, General
Antonio Luna, made me realize to see humans, but no humanity.
Indeed, we had a greater foe than Americans, and that is ourselves.

General Luna’s death was horrendous, and should always be

acknowledged, in order to prove how faithful, he was towards the
country. On the other hand, I am in love with the idea that there
are still patriotic Filipinos, who were able to create films like this,
which signifies a slice of our country’s history and protest against
cruel military actions. A huge thank you to Mr. Jerrold Tarog, who
is the director and of course, the artist who was able to teach us to
fight for our rights, be devoted to the country, and affirm the values
of politically repressed people. This is really a film that I will always
look forward to, especially because of its beauty (not to mention the
humorous script). Also, it was truly intelligent to insert an
imaginary character like Joven Hernando, which pertains to us: the
new generation of Filipinos; we who kept asking questions towards
the glorious and action filled event of the war. The ending scenario
where the General was reciting his poem, and was then continued
by Joven, was powerful; representing that we should carry on the
ideas and love of Luna for the country. We should always remind
ourselves that we are blessed to have the freedom that was hoped-
for. I hope and pray that this freedom will never be taken away
again from us, and that we, Filipinos, should change for the better,
and learn from the past.