The movie Goyo : Ang Batang Heneral was an epic historical film to portray the story of Gregorio “Goyo” del Pilar that set around 1898. This was a sequel to the movie Heneral Luna which is both directed by Jerrold Tarog . The movie was screened on September 5, 2018 starring Paulo Avelino to portray the title role in the movie Gregorio del Pilar who died in the Battle of Tirad Pass during Philippine-American war. Carlo Aquino played the role of Colonel Vicente Enriquez Goyo’s childhood friend and one of the survivors in the Battle of Tirad Pass. Rafa Reyna as Colonel Julian del Pilar Goyo’s brother. Aaron Villaflor as Joven Hernando who became one of Goyo’s crew as the photographer. Mon Confiado played the role of President Emilio Aguinaldo. Epy Quizon as Apolinario Mabini the president’s adviser the “brain of the revolution”. Alvin Anson as General Jose Alejandrino. Gwen Zamora as Remedios Nable Jose the last great love of Goyo. Empress Schuck as Felicidad Aguinaldo one of Goyo’s girlfriends and younger sister of President Aguinaldo. Benjamin Alves as Manuel L. Quezon. Art Acuna as Maj. Manuel Bernal one of Antonio Luna’s soldiers. Last of the leading characters in the movie is Ronnie Lazaro who played the role of Lieutenant Garcia one of Antonio Luna’s sharpshooter.
Summary :
The gruesome death of Antonio Luna which was believed to be ordered by President Emilio Aguinaldo is where the story took after.There were two main parts of the movie the first one showing Goyo’s internal battles and the second one being the Battle of Tirad Pass. The beginning of the film showed Goyo’s cold character when they tortured Angelito to find his brother, Maj. Manuel Bernal one of General Luna’s men which later on they found and was beated to his death. The lines of Bernal pertaining to General Gregorio del Pilar as the president’s dog stuck through his mind. Goyo had nightmares and hallucinations of his death throughout the movie pertaining to the internal battles that he struggles with. General del Pilar proceeded to show his womanizing nature by pursuing Remedios Nable Jose.
His playful side was seen also when he sneaked out and went to swim in the river with Joven, Col. Julian and Col. Enriquez after having a nightmare. A fiesta was also celebrated in honor of Goyo’s bravery and deeds to protect his fellow Filipinos.At the fiesta there was a scene with his brother making him remember of who he is saying the words “Tandaan mo kung sino ka!” in which Goyo replied “Ang Agila!” because Goyo had creepy hallucinations. In the span of a 5 month break from war,the Filipinos were deceived by the Americans by making the Filipinos believe that they were going to help in building the country and thatg the Americans were just buying time to prepare to start again the war. The peace of the Filipinos was immediately replaced by chaos. The Americans attacked the unprepared President Aguinaldo’s army. General Gregorio del Pilar was tasked to lead the Philippines revolutionary forces as they went on their journey to Tirad Pass: Mount Balagbag. Although the plan of the Filipinos was brilliant the conflict was done and it was not enough to stop the Americans and Goyo’s life was taken away with a bullet through his head. The will of Mabini to prove that we Filipinos can fight with what we stand for was gone because we were under a regime that believes in only loyalty and camaraderie instead of the ability of the people who wants to fight for the country with love and passion. It showed how some of the Filipinos can quickly turn their backs on their country and put their own interest above it.
Analysis:
I love the movie it didn’t fail to give me goosebumps. It almost made me cry because my heart broke when the scene was when the Filipino soldiers was running away because they saw that the Filipinos were losing. It showed how some Filipinos can quickly turn their backs from our country just because they were losing hope for it. I also didn’t like where Goyo died just like that it wasn’t as legendary as our other heroes.The makers of the movie used historical approach to ensure that the movie is shown as what it was in history although i read in some online articles that Joven was just a fictional character in the movie to show future generation as Joven’s name means “youth” if translated to Spanish
The movie’s cinematography was brilliant. The scenes were executed perfectly and the set was made like it was really the past even the sound effects added to it.Since the characters were given the roles of persons who lived in the past, for me they conveyed the portrayal of their given roles excellently especially Paulo Avelino who portrayed Goyo. The characters really seemed to take their roles to heart because they delivered their lines and some even gave me goosebumps.The film showed what Gregorio del Pilar’s life in reality, even showing his womanizing nature with the scenes of Goyo sweet talking Felicidad and Remedios. It showed us a better glimpse into the life of one of our heroes.
Conclusion :
I recommend watching Goyo : Ang Batang Heneral. It didn’t only made me about to tear up about what happened in the past to our beloved Philippines but it made me laugh and made feel inspired to love our country more.It was a brilliant film that was able to show a part of our history. I encourage people to watch this movie and Heneral Luna because we shouldn’t restrain ourselves to be able to explore the history of our country. We can learn just by reading textbooks and articles online especially watching these kinds of movies that gives us the idea of what happened in the past. But we shouldn’t watch this film just because we want to see heroism we should watch this because we want to see a better glimpse into the real lives of one of our heroes.
Princes Balce 