Oval, Charlynne Marie R.

2015 – 12316

ORA PRO NOBIS

I just watched Ora Pro Nobis, a 1980 movie by Lino Brocka. Since my History class required me
to write a paper about the movie then here’s my reaction to it.

Ora Pro Nobis (means Fight For Us) is a group of anti-communist vigilantes but can be best
described as slaughterers, they are criminals playing innocent under the protection of the military. Led
by Commander Kontra, they kill whoever they met in the street, brutally, and accuse them of a rebel but
reports will say they were murdered during an encounter.

I always believed that after the EDSA Revolution peace prevailed but after watching the movie I
learned that the violations of human rights never really ceased. The abuses continued and seeing the
situation of the Filipinos in the movie, it has become worse. People were terrified during those times
when they can’t even say what they want, do what they please, fight for what they think is right, protect
who they want and even walk around not worrying about being accused as a rebel. Throughout the
movie, I became emotional realizing how lucky I am to have lived in the present generation and at the
same time I felt an ire towards the politicians playing deaf and military covering up crimes to keep their
power.

How could someone be so stupid? Well, I don’t know who fits the description most. It could be
the colonel who thinks an explanation such as “They were killed in an encounter.” is enough for
someone who just lost their love ones, or the people on the street including the lawyers and police who
were there when Ester and Camilo was kidnapped by the members of the Ora Pro Nobis and done
nothing but watch, or Kontra himself who thinks he is the good guy, or maybe even the President. I kept
saying the word “stupid” until the movie ends because I cannot understand how the President Cory who
was chosen by the people to protect them and who they believed will give them peace did nothing
about the issue of the foreign priests and months passed I never heard anything in the movie saying that
the President did anything about it and the following incidents. Why didn’t she took the power of the
Ora Pro Nobis, captured them within days because only stupid people believe they are the good guys.
Anyway, my point is, if I cannot fight for my right and I watch someone else (Jimmy fought for Human
Rights) risk his life to do it of me or if it pleases me to see my fellowmen suffer for me to be safe and
have power, I’d rather be stupid. This whole Martial Law and after EDSA facts I just learned makes me
hate Marcos more, so smart yet so stupid.

The movie inspired me to fight for my rights as a human being and surely did invoke a lot of
people to do the same during oppression. It is very appealing to the audience since it the scenes in the
movie are authentic and informative. I pay respect to all who contributed to the success of the movie
and who supported the making of it privately. This movie speaks a lot to the people.

Reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubJtywJcS6E