Analysis of the

Film
Heneral

Prepared by:
NAZARO, Maryjoy T.
Second Year - BS Accountancy AC2
Prepared for:
Mrs. Joyce Quiddam
Instructor, English 104

Luna

I. Introduction
In the study of the Philippine History, we will encounter General Luna as the head
of the military during the leadership of former President Emilio Aguinaldo. Do you know
exactly what he did? A 2016 entry for Oscars film by Jerrold Tarog opened the life of the
General to all his viewers.
Jerrold Viacrucis Tarog graduated from the UP Rural High School in Los Baos,
Laguna and spent two years in the University of the Philippines Los Baos, before
shifting to take a course at the College of Music at the University of the Philippines
Diliman, where he graduated with a degree in Music Composition, along with several
semesters worth of coursework in film theory. Today, he is a Filipino film director,
composer, writer, editor, and sound designer. His profession earned him numerous
awards.
According to GMA News Online, the films original scriptwriters Henry Hunt
Francia and Eduardo Rocha, conceived "Heneral Luna" two decades ago. They let
Tarog direct the film and make the vision made real! They began a partnership of
visionaries.

II.

Character Analysis

Protagonists
General Antonio Luna is the most brilliant Filipino general who led the
command and fought in the PhilippineAmerican War. He is the image of a Filipino man
who is willing to fight for the freedom of the country.
Col. Paco Roman and Capt. Eduardo Rusca are two of Lunas trusted soldiers.
They witnessed how the immoral soldiers murdered the General. Roman was also killed
but Rusca survived.
Col. Manuel Bernal is also a loyal soldier of Luna. He is one of the thirty
convoys of Luna before the Generals assassination.
Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar aided Luna in their quarter in Bagbag. He is one of the
youngest generals in the Philippine Revolutionary Forces during the Philippine

Revolution and the PhilippineAmerican War. Because of his youth, he became known
as the "Boy General."
Gen. Jose Alejandrino is one of the Filipino generals during the Philippine
Revolution and the Philippine-American War.
Lt. Garcia started being just a member of the troupe until he showed in Lunas
order his dauntless acts in firing the opponents base.
Isabel is Lunas sweetheart. She believed that Luna is more attached to his
leadership on the war than to his relationship with her.
Doa Laureana Luna is the mother of General Antonio Luna. She inspired the
General during the war.
Joven Hernando is a young journalist who interviewed Luna about all of his
actions on the PhilippineAmerican war. He became Lunas apprentice.

Antagonists
President Emilio Aguinaldo is the first president of the Philippines. He led
Philippine forces first against Spain in the latter part of the Philippine Revolution and
then in the SpanishAmerican War and finally against the United States during the
PhilippineAmerican War. Believing that Bonifacio is his greatest rival, Aguinaldo
ordered his people to kill him.
Apolinario Mabini lost the use of his legs because of having polio. Despite of
this, he is the first Prime Minister of the Philippines. He is the right hand of Aguinaldo
and part of the presidents decision making.
Gen. Arthur MacArthur Jr. is the Army General of the United States of America.
He became the military Governor-General in the Philippine-American War.
Felipe Buencamino is a businessman who is also a cabinet member under
Aguinaldos leadership. According to Luna, he is a coward just like his son who is
frightful to face the soldiers of America. He also considered Americans as partners in
economic building in the Philippines.
Pedro Paterno is a businessman and Buencaminos partner in pursuing the
good relationship between Philippines and America.

Gen. Tomas Mascardo is a Filipino General who refused in helping Luna in his
ambition of fighting for Filipino freedom.
Capt. Janolino led the troupe in murdering General Antonio Luna.
BI. Synopsis
After more than 300 long years of Spanish conquering, the Philippines was sold
to Americans in the amount of 20 million dollars. Cabinet members with Mabini and
Pres. Aguinaldo discussed on how to deal with the Americans. Businessmen and
politicians recommended having a peaceful relationship with the Americans. According
to them, this will help in the economic building of the country. General Antonio Luna
refused this idea and pursued fighting for freedom of our own land.
General Luna and his loyal men fought for the freedom of land and started the
Philippine American War. He considered plans and tactics on how to win over the
American soldiers. During the battle, Luna discovered the brave and coward soldiers in
the army and found out that most of the soldiers, even generals, are loyal not to him but
only to President Aguinaldo. He used the Article I in the Philippine Constitution that
whoever refuse in following his orders as the General will be arrested and killed even
without court hearing. With this, all of the soldiers and their family members followed his
commands.
Ultimately, it is the generals legendary temper and pride that bring him to his
death when a pack of presidential guards assassinate him in broad daylight. While
American newspapers are quick to point the blame to Aguinaldo, the mystery has never
been completely solved and the Generals killers were never put to justice.
IV.

Conflicts

Man VS Man
-

General Antonio Luna is conflicted with the other cabinet members who wants to
consider America in countrys economic building.

The Philippine soldiers who are fighting for Philippine freedom are conflicted with
their opponents from America.

Man VS Himself
-

General Antonio Luna is conflicted with himself because there is a part of him who
wants to stay with his love Isabel, but he needs to fight for his land.

President Aguinaldo is conflicted with himself because he has his own intentions
but because of his responsibilities with the country he is leading, he refused to do
it.

Man VS Society
-

General Luna is conflicted with the society because most of the soldiers from
different places do not understand his intention of making the country free from
conquerors.

Man VS Destiny
-

General Luna is conflicted with his fate because even if he really wanted to save
our country and make it free from conquerors, he was assassinated and many
people and events became the obstruction in his plans.
V. Values
Patriotism General Antonio Luna is attached emotionally to his homeland. The

film showed how a Filipino man could offer his own life for the freedom of the country.
Love Isabel and Doa Laureana showed their love to General Luna by trying to
stop him in putting his one feet into grave.
Colonial Mentality The antagonists in the film believe that the Americans will
help our economy grow and refuse to fight for our freedom.
Risk-taker Even if he know that the Americans are complete of weapons to
defeat them, Gen. Luna thought of plans and tactics to fight them.
VI.

Theme
For me, the film showcased patriotism. It teaches the audience how to love and

to fight for something we own. This is our country, Philippines. It is our home land. It is
what our other heroes fought for. As long as we live, as much as possible, we should
love and fight for our mother, the pearl of the east the Philippines.
VII.

Implications
The film shows the Filipino struggle today. There are so many politicians sitting in

their high government positions who think not for the benefit of the country but for the
benefit of themselves. People who wishes to be good and to fight for the people are

killed. Just like what happened to the late DILG Secretary Jesse Manalastas Robredo
who wished to fight for the right of the people in the Philippines.

VIII.

Over-All Reaction
Tarogs film moved a part of me. It caused me to think of everything that is

happening to our country today. But it was never too late. I believe that there is a hero in
everyones self. We can start it in a simple way to vote right. 2016 election is coming
and choosing the best leader is one way of becoming a hero and a savior of our own
land. Every single vote for a responsible leader, when counted in together, we can make
a difference.