BALSAMO, JULIA R.

BSME 2A

Please do watch:

DOCUMENTARY: Ganito Kami Muli (with ENGLISH Subs) | Cinema One Originals - YouTube

Based on the movie, please answer the following guide questions to assess further your
understanding of the film and how it depicted the nineteenth-century Philippines.

1. Describe the 19th century Philippines as reflected in the film.

As depicted in the film, the Philippines was a Spanish colony for the majority of the nineteenth
century. People's lives in the nineteenth century were very different from those of today. The
majority of Filipinos sought refuge in the mountains because they were in danger due to the
Spaniards' atrocities. The Filipino identity was created in some way in the Philippines during the
nineteenth century. It is the tribulations, challenges, and realizations of being Filipino that shape
who Filipinos are.
2. Based on your understanding, what can you say about the film’s representation of the
nineteenth century?
The film depicted the Philippines' situation in the nineteenth century. Abuse of power, the
practice of executing prisoners, and imprisoning innocent people without a trial all of which
were common at the time because, without money, you had no power, as well as slavery, are all
very obvious.
3. What is the main question that the film seeks to answer?
What exactly is a Filipino? is the main question that the film seeks to answer as the lives of
Filipinos under the Spanish Constitution are reenacted in this film, it appears that the answer to
the question is unclear. It shows that even in the nineteenth century, Filipinos were unsure of
who they were. These issues have merely demonstrated that Filipinos are resilient and possess a
strong sense of what is right for them. This question reminds me that, despite the colonial rule,
we are still Filipinos.
4. What is your personal understanding of and own reflection on the film?
People suffer as a result of Spanish colonization. Slavery, human rights violations, and unjust
rule were among the many issues confronting the Philippines in the nineteenth century.
However, these issues have only served to highlight the Filipino people's unwavering sense of
what is right for them and their ability to overcome challenges. With its assistance, the Filipino
people were able to rally behind a common cause and finally achieve their long-desired
independence from the Spanish colony. Furthermore, the film contains numerous lessons. Not
every battle is physically or harshly fought, but when the peaceful revolution fails, the bloody
revolution always follows.