Must watch Filipino historic films
A lot of Filipinos criticize the Philippine film industry for ripping off foreign films, showing mainly cliché romance-comedy flicks in an attempt to rake in the money from the Filipino’s addiction to “kilig”, and simply showing off good looks without much of a story behind it.
Despite all that, the Philippine film industry did make awesome and insightful films that will go down in Philippine history as must watch films!
Jose Rizal (1998)
José Rizal is a 1998 Biographical Film of the Filipino national hero José Rizal directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya and starring Cesar Montano as José Rizal.
The film Jose Rizal, is a story that focuses on the life and works of Jose or Pepe through flashbacks. The story reflects on different aspects of his life; being an activist, artist, lover, novelist, poet, writer, physician, revolutionary, friend, son and a brother. In his search for the freedom of the country, he opposed the oppressors not by gun, but by using pen and paper. He had written poems and novels for the people to know the real situation of the country. He wrote his novels as a form of propaganda, which was a wake-up call for he Filipinos during the Spanish regime. He was the inspiration of the revolution against the Spanish Colonizers.
Heneral Luna (2015)
Heneral Luna (lit. General Luna) is a 2015 Filipino historical biopic film Directed by Jerrold Tarog and produced by Artikulo Uno Productions.
The story revolves around the Philippine-American war, during the years 1899–1902. The main protagonist is Antonio Luna, a short-tempered chemist turned top Filipino General who commanded the revolutionary army. General Luna wanted to fight for freedom, but the other elite members of society did not like the idea of war. Instead, they wanted to make a deal with the United States.
General Luna together with his men decided to go on and fight the American soldiers. However, men loyal to the president opposed his plans. Luna was summoned by telegram to the President’s headquarters in Cabanatuan. Although his officers were suspicious, Luna proceeded. Upon arrival, Luna was attacked by Captain Janolino and his men. General Luna was shot, stabbed and hacked repeatedly to death. The American newspapers blamed Aguinaldo for the death of Luna. Gen. McArthur and Gen. Otis said that Luna was a worthy adversary. They laughed at the fact that the Filipino killed the only real General they had.
El Presidente (2012)
El Presidente is a film based on “Memoirs of a Revolution” by Emilio Aguinaldo, directed by Mark Meily. Produced by Scenema Concept International, CMB Films and Viva Films. E.R. Ejercito played the character of Emilio Aguinaldo.
The film begins with Aguinaldo’s capture by the Kapampangan in 1901, then flashes back to 1886, when an old woman gave him a strange prediction. Ten years later, Aguinaldo was inducted into the Katipunan by the Supremo and later assumes the leadership of Cavite chapter called Magdalo.
As the katipunan rebels gain ground in Cavite and several provinces, Magdalo and Magdiwang factions convene a provisional government. Bonifacio oversees the Tejeros Convention, which elects Aguinaldo as president, Mariano Trías as vice-president, and himself as interior minister. Months later, Aguinaldo leaves Cavite with most of his forces intact and makes it to Biak-na-Bato in Bulacan, where he signs the Pact of Biak-na-Bato and heads for Hong Kong.
After General Luna’s assassination, Aguinaldo proceeds to the North of Luzon. General Gregorio del Pilar volunteers to hold off enemy forces at Tirad Pass and buy Aguinaldo time. Having been made to accept the American occupation over the Philippines, Aguinaldo lives a quiet life. He met and married Maria in 1930. While at home, as Aguinaldo lies in bed, the same woman who gave gave him his prophecy appears to him one more time.
Dekada ’70 (2002)
Dekada ’70 (English: “The ’70s”) is a 2002 Filipino drama film released based on the acclaimed novel by Filipino author, Lualhati Bautista directed by Chito S. Roño. The film was restored by the ABS-CBN Film Archive. Vilma Santos stars as Amanda Bartolome and Christopher De Leon as Julian Bartolome.
This story if based on a middle-class Filipino family during the repressive dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. Amanda and Julian are trying their best to take care of their five sons. They became aware of the political policies that have led to tyranny and a state of martial law. Amanda realizes the effects of living within a dictatorship after evaluating the contrary reactions of her husband and five sons. Her husband supports his eldest son’s endeavor to rail against the government while he refuses to allow Amanda’s wish to find a job. Her third son Emmanuel (Marvin Augustin), is writing illegal political write-ups. Her fourth son Jason (Danilo Barrios), experienced to be a victim of a corrupt police department and the youngest son Benjamin (John W. Sace) is still a kid.
Oro, Plata, Mata (1982)
Oro, Plata, Mata is a 1982 multi-awarded Filipino film directed by: Peque Gallaga. The meaning of the title is either “Gold, Silver and Bad Luck” or “Gold, Silver, Death.” The title refers to an old Filipino superstition saying that all design elements of a house such as staircases, must not end in multiples of three, for which it is said to have bad luck.
The film begins during World War II in the province of Negros, Philippines. The story is about how two haciendero families handle the changes brought by the war. The Ojeda family is celebrating Maggie Ojeda’s debut (Sandy Andalong). In the garden, Trining (Cherie Gil) got her first kiss from her childhood sweetheart, Miguel Lorenzo (Joel Torre). The celebration was interrupted by the news of the fall of Corregidor. As Japanese forces invade the city, the Lorenzos invited the Ojedas to stay in their provincial hacienda for safety. Trining decides to go with bandits, despite crimes they committed against Trining’s family. These experiences brought Maggie and Miguel closer. Miguel is determined to search for Trining to bring her back. He catches them, but his courage was replaced with blood lust, driving him to a killing spree. After the violent climax, an epilogue followed. The Americans have liberated the Philippines from Japan. A party is held in the Ojeda home to announce Maggie and Miguel’s engagement. The survivors attempt to reclaim their previous lifestyle, but the war has changed the world, just as it has forever marked each of them.
The film is rather unique because it follows a pattern of oro (gold), plata (silver), and mata (bad luck) played out in the lives of the main characters. Oro, depicting the luxury and comfort in the city; Plata, a still-luxurious time of refuge in a provincial hacienda and lastly, Mata, a time when they were victimized by the bandit guerillas.