MODULE: RIZALCRS – LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

ACTIVITY 2: THE 19TH CENTURY PHILIPPINE ECONOMY, SOCIETY, AND THE

CHINESE MESTIZOS
1. Film Viewing: Watch the documentary and read the given materials about the
movie "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon" then write down the 5 key
points discussed in the documentary regarding the content of the film.

• The Film's Historical Context

It also touches on the history of the movie, portraying it as one that set in the Philippine
Revolution against the Spaniards. It depicts the life and hardship being suffered by the Filipino
people at that time and the ability of the country to get independence.

• Nicolas Ogampo: Sorting out the Character

The area of interest of the documentary movie is on the life of the main character known as
Nicolas Ogampo. Kabwita Known as Ogampo is an endearing, optimistic person with no special
abilities who encounters all type of mishaps all through his life: betrayal, loss, injustice. These are
some of the challenges Ogampo faces on his search for acknowledgment as a Filipino that brings
him alive and firm to his goal.

• The Theme of Identity

The role of identity is presented as the major idea of identity and its crisis in the movie
describing the characters’ struggles to find their roles in society. Through out the movie, issues
pertaining to cultures between the pre-modern and post-modern society is depicted, as well as
the fight for the Philippine identity and place in the world.

• The Role of Women

The events shown in the movie and the attitudes of the women characters are also really
important for the movie, especially for Leading and Leones. It refers to the fact that the women
presented in these books are not just supporting characters but charismatic personalities who
shape the storylines and engage in the subversion of gender expectations.

• This paper aims to discuss the extent of the impact of the Formosa Betrayed in terms of
the changes it produced in the local cinema industry in the Philippines.
The documentary ends with the analysis on the contributions of ‘Ganito Kami Noon, Paano
Kayo Ngayon’ in the industry of Philippine movies. The film is considered now a classic in the
history of Filipino movies as a perfect example of how the country’s filmmakers are using
unconventional approaches to create their movies and how emotional the Filipino actors can get
in front of the camera. The documentary also shows how following generations within the Filipino
community have come to embrace the film and it remains as culturally importance today as it did
in the past.
 2. Describe the 19th century Philippines as represented in the film. (2-3 paragraph)

In the film “Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?” (1976) presents the development of the
Philippine society in the 19th century as a nation in crisis, trapped under the heels of colonialism. The
poverty-stricken setting of the film clearly shows the depressing Philippine society that is in a perpetual
state of war, and struggling with social injustice. It will also be noted that the given Cuban countryside
appears highly developed, rich, and fertile; however, the main characters constantly face dangers, including
bandits, Spanish soldiers, and revolutionaries. The places presented in the context of the program are
boiling with people, dirty and filled with temporary shelters and markets.

It also revealed social and cultural relationships of the period of the happenings with great insight. The
hatred between both parties is seen to be so immense that the Filipino people are depicted as being split
between those who support the Spanish colonial authority and those who are rebelling against it. Towards
the end of the film, there is conflict between the native Filipino and Western lifestyle introduced by the
Spanish. The themes that define societal morality of the characters can be deduced from the film; The
characters are depicted to be torn between allegiance to their country and the quest for a better life.

The aspect of power relations between individuals as well as between classes is represented in the film
in the part of the rich people and the poor people. The aristocracy is painted with glittering palaces with
place for entertainment eagerly awaiting parties and dances, whereas the lower class is starving, forced to
serve their superiors, dying like fleas. The people are depicted as enduring and unrelenting in their
hardships, and they are compelled to make uneasy adjustments to their fate. In general, the film “Ganito
Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?” (1976) offers aprofound and multi-layered look at the Philippines in the
19th century through themes of nationalism, Pre-Colonial society suffering under the colonial powers, and
the search for the Filipino identity.

3. Complete the graphic organizer by supplying the changes in the 19th Century
Philippines, categorizing social, political, economic and cultural changes.
Social Political Economic Cultural
Education: The introduction Colonization: The Agriculture: The Language: The Spanish
of Western education by the Philippines was colonized introduction of Western language was imposed on
Spanish led to an increase in by Spain, which led to the farming techniques and the Philippines, replacing
literacy rates and the loss of national sovereignty crops led to changes in native languages such as
emergence of a new and autonomy. agriculture and increased Tagalog and Cebuano.
educated class. food production.

Education: The introduction Nationalism: The struggle Trade: The Philippines Religion: Christianity was
of Western education by the for independence sparked a became a major trading hub, introduced to the Philippines
Spanish led to an increase in growing sense of with trade relationships by the Spanish, leading to a
literacy rates and the nationalism among established with Spain, significant shift in religious
emergence of a new Filipinos, who sought to China, and other countries. practices and beliefs.
educated class. assert their identity and self-
determination.