Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral is a sequel of the award-winning historical film Heneral Luna that was released in 2015. The story is about Gregorio Del Pilar, the youngest general who is famous for dying during the Battle of Tirad Pass in the Philippine-American War. He became indulged in the popularity and praised that he was receiving for being the youngest general that he forget that he is not a hero but a soldier. He is also very famous with girls, that in every Barrio where he goes, he left a crying woman with a broken heart.
The story begins after the assassination of General Antonio Luna. Gregorio Del Pilar, the youngest general appointed by the president Emilio Aguinaldo, was tasked to purge the loyalist of Luna. Gregorio or Goyo, with his older brother Julian Del Pilar and best friend Vicente Enriquez captured the Luna's former military loyalist Lt. Manuel Bernal in the home of the merchant Don Mariano Nable Jose. Goyo also met Remedios Nable Jose, the daughter of Don Mariano, who catches his interest. Later, Goyo pursues Manuel to join his military personnel but he refused as he defined Goyo as blind and deaf for he’s too loyal to his president and not aware that it will lead the country as the slaves of America. Manuel also said they may be fighting for the same cause, but the difference between them is that he is loyal to his principle while Goyo is loyal to his idol (the president). "Hindi ka isang sundalo Goyo, aso ka", he added, before he was killed. Meanwhile, Joven Hernardo who works with his uncle as an assistant was contracted as Goyo’s photographer.
General Jose Alejandro visits Apolinario Mabini, who resigned from the cabinet of Aguinaldo after the death of Luna. They talked about the death of Heneral Luna and, while many poor Filipino soldiers are dying in a war, the rich are enjoying the safety and even celebrates the death of Luna. Mabini called Aguinaldo's people a bunch of clowns as it enjoys the propensity of a good time over serious affairs. He declared that Aguinaldo will be caused to the defeat of the Philippine Revolution by rewarding people based on loyalty to him, instead of talent or patriotism. He said that Filipinos deserve to be called children until we get our acts together. "Gusto kong patunayan na marunong tayong lumaban na may kadakilaan at paninindigan ngunit unti unti na akong naniniwala na tama silang tawagin tayong mga bata", he quoted. Gen. Alejandro added, “Isang henerasyon ng mga duwag at sinungaling ang naki-angkas sa labang ito. Umaasa na lamang ako sa susunod na henerasyon", as most of the soldiers rush into the battle without tactics.
Meanwhile, Aguinaldo joins Goyo in Bulacan and promoted him as Major-General of Pampanga. His ex-girlfriend Felicidad Aguinaldo¸ the sister of Emilio, was also there. A fiesta was celebrated for Goyo for his promotion. Later over dinner, he pledges his courtship with Remedios. But Remedios doubts his sincerity for he is known as a playboy and suggested that she is not the only beautiful woman out there and beauty will soon perish. Goyo replied, “'Pag sinabi kong maganda ka, kasama dun ang kagandahang loob mo," which argued that he did not fall for her physical beauty but to her kindness.
Joven feels like it is wrong for them to enjoy and relax while there is a war, he said that he wanted to see Manuel Bernal for him to remember what they are fighting for as he does not want to forget and act blind. He added the words said by Heneral Luna, "Ang taong may damdamin ay hindi alipin.’ Ngunit sa tingin ko’y kung ang damdaming ito ay sanhi ng pagkabulag natin, alipin tayo ng sarili nating damdamin," towards Goyo's action who enjoys being a hero but did not act like one.
During this time, Aguinaldo meets Mabini and offered him a post as Chief Justice in the Supreme Court. Mabini refused because he knows that his people do not like him for telling the truth. "Kaya na ba ng mga Pilipino na marinig ang katotohanan ng hindi napipikon?" he added if he will return and accept his offer. Mabini eventually accepted the offer for this for the sake of the country.
Gen. Alejandro travels to Manila by the order of Aguinaldo to negotiate with the American generals in exchange for their American prisoners for accepting their Philippine republic, they refused his offer as their army is illegitimate and their republic is soon to vanquish. The American forces head north to put to rout the remaining Filipino forces and capture Aguinaldo, Filipino side is caught off-guard. Aguinaldo immediately ordered the march of the Army to Pozurrubio to meet with Gen Tinio and organize a fighting force but they are too late as Tinio's army was already defeated by the American. It forces Aguinaldo to retreat until they have arrived at the western mountainous terrain of the Cordilleras. The daily American attack and the tension between the soldiers of Luna's unit take in toll and weaken their defense; American forces attacked them and captured Aguinaldo's Mother and son. While traveling, Goyo remembered the letter that Remedios gave to him. The letter said that Remedios is waiting for Goyo’s return, not as a hero who walked above the cloud, but a man who will stay by her side. They soon arrived at Mount Tirad, where Goyo devised a delaying strategy to buy Aguinaldo’s time to escape. He pursued the remaining army who wants to join the battle and sacrifice their lives. He said that there are no heroes in that mountain, but soldiers who love his nation. He said that this is no longer a battle of victory, but a battle of dignity. Together with former Luna's sharpshooter Lt. Garcia, they fortified trenches to dug along the route of the mountain.
The following day, the Americans quickly capture a town at the foot of the mountain but are initially unable to penetrate their defenses. Americans find the secret path leading at the top of the mountain, behind the trenches, and flank the Filipino army who is outmanned. As every Filipino soldier falls dead, Goyo retreat to the top of the mountain to finish the fight, however, he was immediately shot and killed by an American Sniper. It is a lost battle. The American stripped him and gets his possessions and clothing wherein they found a letter from his bag. The letter was delivered to Manila for Remedios, Goyo's final words to her were written into it. “Nagbabalik ako sayo bilang marapat na diwa. Bilang lalakeng pinili ang pinakamahalagang bagay sa madilim na panahon: dangal, tungkulin, sakripisyo. Hindi mawawalan ng halaga ang kamatayan ko pagkat namatay akong nagbibigay puri sa bayan. At higit sa lahat, sa iyo.”
Aguinaldo was eventually captured by the American in Palana, Isabela in March 1901, effectively ending the war. He held as a prisoner in Malacañang Palace and visited by Quezon to verify his capture and consults whether Mascardo should surrender. Aguinaldo answered that it depends on Mascardo himself as he already signed the union between America. Mabini then captures by the Americans and exiled to Guam, he wrote his narrative of the war entitled La Revolución Filipina (The Philippine Revolution) wherein he points the failure of the Philippine revolution brought by the ineffective leadership of Aguinaldo. He quoted, " Sa halip na suportahan ni Ginoong Aguinaldo ang mga taong tunay na naglilingkod sa bayan, tinanggalan pa sila ng pakinabang." It is noble for the person in the low position to do small deeds, but it is negligence for the person in the high position.
Literary Critic about the film
General Gregorio Del Pilar reminds me of Rizal for being a womanizer, the reason why I choose to review this film. However, there is a difference between Rizal and Del Pilar because even though Rizal loved nine women in his life, he loved them truly that he wrote poems about them and make one of them as his inspiration for Maria Clara's character in his novels. On the other hand, Goyo only played women's hearts that in every barrio that he goes; he left a woman with a broken heart. There is even a saying that spreads in their place as a warning to women not to be fooled by him, "Huwag kang magpapa-Goyo".
Goyo’s character is not your typical protagonist. He is not someone who will boost your nationalistic passion. He is less exciting, less abrasive, and less funny as Heneral Luna. He is a loyal servant to Emilio Aguinaldo that Manuel Bernal, former Luna’s loyalist, said that he is not a soldier but a dog. He becomes a blind servant, idolizes the president, and enjoys the admiration that the people are giving. He is a fake hero; his achievements are a product of his connection and not by hard work. Even though the setting of the film was during American occupation, some of the problems in the period still reflect in the modern situation of our system. The film showcases the harsh truth of favoring favoritism or nepotism in the workplace or organization in our culture. Similar to our government officials, since most of them were only appointed by the president, they are incompetent for their jobs. They do not serve that nation but the president. They do not care about the consequences of their action; their only goal was to be praised by the president. That even though themselves disobey the rules and laws that the government set, they will be saved for their misconduct because they have the president at their back.
For instance, Major General Sinas who managed to celebrate ‘mañanita’ even though the metro manila is under enhance community quarantine and disobey the protocol of social distancing, was saved for his misconduct because he was loyalist to the president. It depicts how inefficient our justice system is. Poor Filipinos are the one who suffers from the incompetency of these people, like how Apolinario Mabini defines Aguinaldo’s leadership during the Philippine Revolution against American occupation. The one the risking their lives during the wars are the poor Filipino armies, while the rich loyalist of the president are enjoying the comfort of safety and are willing to order the death of necessary and responsible general just to remain at this comfort. What a bunch of clowns. In current time, the people that are affecting by the closure of industries and by the unprepared safety measures of the government during the covid pandemic are the no-work-no-pay Filipinos like jeepney drivers. To prevent the spread of infection, the restriction of public transportation is implemented. Resulting to the loss of daily income sources of public vehicle drivers, they protested and convicted for disobeying the social distancing. Why do they punish poor hungry Filipinos for doing small bad deed while letting powerful people from their big crimes?
“Nabigo ang rebolusyon dahil mali ang pamumuno dito. Sa halip na suportahan ni Ginoong Aguinaldo ang mga taong tunay na naglilingkod sa bayan, tinanggalan pa sila ng pakinabang”. –Apolinario Mabini
This is one of my most favorite lines from the film, it reflects to our current situation. Our incompetent government cannot see what is more important during the pandemic and it brings misery to the people. Spending billions of funds to put fake white sand made of dolomites to Manila Bay as a believe that it will help the mental health of the people, instead of investing it to purchase additional supply of medical equipments and PPEs or develop hospitals as “true help” to our health is an act of incompetency. If only our government is capable of prioritizing the safety of our front liners, we may be enjoying the fresh air outside now. But we don’t because our leaders are incompetent.
Back to Goyo, I love his character development from playboy hero to a soldier. When he choose to risk his life in the battle in Tirad Pass against American army to prove Remedios that he is deserving of her love is one of the “Mapapa-Sana All” moments for me. “Hindi mawawalan ng halaga ang kamatayan ko pagkat namatay akong nagbibigay puri sa bayan. At higit sa lahat, sa iyo”, Goyo to Remedios. Power of love really changes a person. But it is sad to know that their love ended before it has even started.
Ang mahalaga kay Ginoong Aguinaldo ay hindi ang abilidad at pagibig sa bayan ng isang tao, kundi ang kanyang pakikisama.” -Apolinario Mabini
The Emilio Aguinaldo;s cowardice reminds me of our current president. When Emilio choose to run away from the American soldiers instead of fighting them with dignity like how Rizal suggested Filipino to be, he proves that he only cares about himself and not about the people. I am really disgusted with him calling himself a president when he can’t even risk his own life for the nation. He becomes a dog of American for his own safety and power. Just like our president, willing to be China’s dog for what? To secure our safety from China’s declaration of war? Or, to enjoy the benefits of Chinese investments in exchange of our natural resources? I don’t know, but whatever it is, it is an act of cowardice and stupidity. Despite the incompetency of our president and government, there are still millions of Filipinos blinded by the truth of our system. Many Filipinos still idolizes the president for the false sense of safety that he declares from his “Kamay na bakal” leadership.
My realization upon watching the film is that it seems that nothing changes with our messed up system as well as the Filipino themselves during American colonization and the present. The problem during their time still exists in the present. Colonized or not, we are not truly free. Filipinos remain a prisoner of their own selfish desires, blindness and cowardice that hinders their capability to grow and excel. Our resiliency is taken advantage by the higher ups to continuously abuse us. It becomes their excuse and escapade for their own incompetency and failure in leading the nation. To add more fuel to the fire, most of the Filipinos still support them blindly. Disregarding the most reliable individuals who have true contributions to the development of the nation. Therefore, I quoted words by General Jose Alejandrino, “Umaasa na lamang ako sa susunod na henerasyon.” May the failures of our present government mark the minds of the new generation to not be deceived by their fears to speak for the benefit of this nation.
