LUIGI DE REAL

BS ECE



REACTION PAPER
As expected, the beginning has a brief prologue with the countrys political climate
before jetting off to deal with the Seventies in a year-by-year basis, mostly revolving
around a rotation of drama between a married couples five growing boys, and their
growing involvement in the countrys politics.
I really cant imagine myself and my family facing the same problems that the Bartolome
family faced back in the movie. I think I cannot handle such situations like that. If I will
be in the situation of Amanda, I think that I cannot stand every word Julian will be saying
to me. Amanda is torn between the problems in the country, her family, her sons and
her husband. I do salute her for being strong. As for being a child, into that kind of
situation, I think that it isnt very good to see what the government has been doing back
then those bloodshed, wars and tears.
Suddenly, I realized how lucky I am that I dont have to face those problems anymore.
But I am really hoping that what happened in the martial law regime back then will never
happen again in the future because I simply wont know what to do when the time
comes.
Martial law really gives so much power to the government and they exercise much of
their police power. There is no equality, no respect, no human dignity, and no such
things as rights. Everything that the government will do, will eventually become all the
laws. It is merely not fair for all of us. In Martial Law, everyone needs to be very vigilant
since unexpected things might happen and your good fate might turn into hell. Theres
no blame on the president, though.
There are touches of seventies style Filipino humor that foreign audiences might miss;
they effectively establish that this is a real, average Filipino family trying to navigate
through the eye of the political storm. The acting is generally impressive, most
especially that of lead actress Santos, who gives a luminous, sensitive performance.
Santos essays the transformation of Amanda so effectively that we do see clearly at the
end of the film that there has been a fundamental change in her character.






FIVE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS PRESENT IN THE MOVIE
Article II Section 14: The State recognizes the role of women in nation building,
and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.
Article III Section 1: No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property
without due process of law, nor shall any person shall be denied to equal
protection of the laws.
Article III Section 4: No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of
expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and
petition the government for redress of grievances.
Article III Section 12 (2): No torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any
other means which vitiate the free will shall be used against him. Secret
detention places, solitary, incommunicado, or other similar forms of detention are
prohibited.
Article III Section 18 (1): No person shall be detained solely by reason of his
political beliefs and aspirations.

VIOLATIONS OF THE LAWS
Julian doesnt want Amanda to work. Julian uses his authority by not letting
Amanda work and just stay at home, without her having self-achievement. Julian
doesnt give Amanda her right and she is being discriminated by Julian, because
he thinks he is superior and what he does, which is working, is enough for their
family. Though Amanda just wants her self-fulfillment, Julian still doesnt want her
to work.
Jason was put into prison and the reason is that he possessed drugs illegally.
Jason shouldnt be put in jail instantly, nor killed, because he still doesnt get his
right to have due process of law to prove that he really does such acts like what
the police said about him.
Jules friend, Willy, was killed because hes a member of the Kapatiran, their
association against the government. Jules was also brought to prison because of
the same reason. Both of them were deprived from their rights.
Jules was totally tortured and brought to such places where he was detained. He
was being forced to say things against himself and it is not lawful.
Jules was put into jail because of his political beliefs, and the constitution doesnt
allow that.