I can’t help but feel proud that I understood what they were all saying and that finally the subtitles weren’t intended for me but were for viewers who are unfortunate enough to not have learned my mother tongue. It’s nice to watch at last a Filipino movie that uses the Filipino language in all its beauty. And who would ever forget him saying, “ Heneral, bibili po ba kayo ng manok?” I still picture him informing the general that they are ready, while standing by the door of the kamalig na nagtitinga (removing food stuck to his teeth using his tongue). I really enjoyed Archie Alemania’s slapstick performance. It’s the gestures that are silly and uniquely Filipino, the lines that are designed to appear unintentionally funny, and the unfortunate scenes that are comically portrayed. I don’t know if foreign viewers could have appreciated it, but it’s in a sort of deprecating way we Filipinos see ourselves and being able to laugh about it at the same time. They were unruly and unorganized, ironically reminiscent of the times when the present Philippine congress has been chaotic.įilipino humor was also an element that was constantly present and appropriately highlighted. In scenes where several of the famous names in Philippine History during Emilio Aguinaldo’s presidency were having their meetings, you can observe their hot headedness and the swiftness by which they react to provocation. Even from the very beginning, we are introduced to General Antonio Luna’s explosive temper, but it wasn’t only him. Heneral Luna, the film, perfectly captured what Filipino temper and humor is. General Antonio Luna is the Manila-born Ilocano who was among the Ilustrados that took part on the Propaganda Movement during the Spanish Colonial Era and who eventually became the commanding officer of the Philippine Revolutionary Army. Heneral Luna is an epic biographical film set during the time of the Philippine-American War, after Spain surrendered to America (or in other accounts, after the Philippines was sold to the United States). Gripping scenes, emotional lines, punchlines with perfect timing – this is a movie that shall leave a mark for decades. Finally after years, here is a movie every Filipino would be proud of.