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mariannetrevy-blog · 6 years ago

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“Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” – Reaction Paper

Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral is a 2018 Philippine historical epic film starring Paulo Avelino as the titular Gregorio "Goyo" del Pilar, the youngest General during the Philippine–American War who died at the historic Battle of Tirad Pass. It is written, directed, edited, and scored by Jerrold Tarog, and is a sequel to the critically and commercially successful 2015 film Heneral Luna, which chronicled Antonio Luna's life.

The film narrated Gregorio del Pilar’s journey mostly based from his very own perspective. This way, the spectators are somehow able to empathize with the young general who had to grow up too soon. The boy general was depicted as someone who had a fair share of mistakes beneath his honorable façade. In fact, he might have likely suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder having displayed symptoms such as involuntary hand shaking, fear of death and frequent hallucinations. Being hailed by the people and being given a constant reminder of who he was by his brother was not enough to calm his anxiety. Goyo accomplished many feats starting at an early age. He did not only fought battles, he won wars and rose up from the ranks with every victory. In turn, he was favored by the President, Emilio Aguinaldo. Unfortunately, this seemed like his downfall. Working for someone who was pegged as a traitor lead others to believe that he was one too. Guilt got through him, doubting if he was a real soldier anymore. The spite of Manuel Bernal shouting “Tahol, Goyo, Tahol!” cursed him to thinking that maybe he was indeed a dog, blindly following an idol, fighting without a principle. The best turning point of the story was when Goyo was finally hit by the sudden realization that he was not doing what he ought to be. While reading Remedios, his last love’s letter, he mustered the courage to make a great sacrifice, to protect the nation rather than personal interests. With that, he gathered men and fought hard until his last breath.

Gen. Gregorio del Pilar’s death may have been in vain but through Apolinario Mabini’s words to Aguinaldo, “His only salvation was a glorious death on the battlefield, meeting death in a supreme effort to defend our national freedom, such a heroic act would restore his reputation and at the same time honor the Filipinos.”, his death was not absolutely for nothing. The cowardly president turned to his country and his people until the end but Goyo did not, although a little late. He was not a hero flying high above the clouds, far and unreachable, he was a man who served his duty to the nation, worthy of acceptance. He is no hero to be worshipped or put on a pedestal. Goyo was just a soldier, just like every other soldier, who served and protected the Philippines with everything he had.

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