An Analysis

On the Documentary

Film

‘Lakas Sambayanan’

Philippine History with Government and Constitution

History 103

Bagona, Mary Jane C.

Curilan, Dandy S.

Dungao, Yandle G.

Dy-Sekco, Ann Margareth E.

Rabanzo, Judy Ann A.

Mr. Mark Bon G. Basadre

Instructor

Father Saturnino Urios University

August 31, 2016

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 I. The Main Argument and/or Purposes of the Film

Lakas Sambayanan provides great insight upon two of the eternally clashing

perspectives: those of participation and protest. The movie primarily

stressed on the years of Marcos oppression. It gives pictures of problems

faced by Filipino society and how groups of people chose to respond in order

to resolve them.

What Lakas Sambayanan argued was that the masses were a force to be

harnessed and wielded to achieve social change. It spoke of popular support

as the basis of success of socio-political movements. It went as far as saying

that small and seemingly insignificant uprisings were what took to build the

momentum toward the EDSA revolution. However, a great deal of confidence

being put upon the masses rested on a stimulation of collective social regard

borne out of the unique force of Marcos’s martial law. There were groups like

the Nayong Pilipino Foundation, the Reform the Armed Forces Movement,

the female journalists—and in the tradition of the great “confluence of

factors” what that period gave them was the similarity of a singular partisan

interest that caused them to fight therefore for the collective interest of the

entire Filipino people.

Lakas Sambayanan film was written by Jose F. Lacaba not just to

commemorate the struggle that the Filipinos have been through during Pres.

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Marcos presidency. It gives a clear visions and views which concisely and

accurately present to the 21st century Filipinos the crystal clear events that

happen in our history. It vividly depicts the picture of circumstances with the

related Filipino main characters to let the viewers decide themselves & react

without bias to the controversial People Power which took place expense of

many Filipino citizens.

II. Summary of the film

The Philippines was praised worldwide in 1986, when the so-called bloodless

revolution erupted, called EDSA People Power’s Revolution. February 25,

1986 marked a significant national event that has been engraved in the

hearts and minds of every Filipino. This part of Philippine history gives us a

strong sense of pride especially that other nations had attempted to emulate

what we have shown the world of the true power of democracy. The true

empowerment of democracy was exhibited in EDSA by its successful efforts

to oust a tyrant by a demonstration without tolerance for violence and

bloodshed. Prayers and rosaries strengthened by faith were the only

weapons that the Filipinos used to recover their freedom from President

Ferdinand Marcos’s iron hands. The Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA)

stretches 54 kilometers, where the peaceful demonstration was held on that

fateful day. It was a day that gathered all Filipinos in unity with courage and

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faith to prevail democracy in the country. It was the power of the people,

who assembled in EDSA, that restored the democratic Philippines, ending

the oppressive Marcos regime. Hence, it came to be known as the EDSA

People Power’s Revolution.

The revolution was a result of the long oppressed freedom and the life

threatening abuses executed by the Marcos government to cite several

events like human rights violation since the tyrannical Martial

Law Proclamation in 1972. In the years that followed Martial Law started the

suppressive and abusive years–incidents of assassination were rampant,

particularly those who opposed the government, individuals and

companies alike were subdued. The Filipinos reached the height of their

patience when former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Sr. was shot and

killed at the airport in August 21, 1983, upon his return to the Philippines

from exile in the United States. Aquino’s death marked the day that Filipinos

learned to fight. His grieving wife, Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino showed the

Filipinos and the world the strength and courage to claim back the

democracy that Ferdinand Marcos arrested for his personal caprice.

Considering the depressing economy of the country, Ninoy’s death further

intensified the contained resentment of the Filipinos. In the efforts to win

back his popularity among the people, Marcos held a snap presidential

election in February 7, 1986, where he was confronted with a strong and

potent opposition, Corazon Aquino. It was the most corrupt and deceitful

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election held in the Philippine history. There was an evident trace of electoral

fraud as the tally of votes were declared with discrepancy between the

official count by the COMELEC (Commission on Elections) and the count of

NAMFREL (National Movement for Free Elections). Such blatant corruption in

that election was the final straw of tolerance by the Filipinos of the Marcos

regime. The demonstration started to break in the cry for democracy and the

demand to oust Marcos from his seat at Malacañang Palace. The revolt

commenced when Marcos' Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and the Armed

Forces Vice-Chief of Staff command of Fidel V. Ramos, both withdrew their

support from the government and called upon the resignation of then

President Marcos. They responsibly barricaded Camp Crame and Camp

Aguinaldo and had their troops ready to combat against possible armed

attack organized by Marcos and his troops. The Catholic Church represented

by Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin along with the priests and nuns called for

the support of all Filipinos who believed in democracy. Radyo

Veritas aired the message of Cardinal Sin that summoned thousands of

Filipinos to march the street of EDSA. It was an empowering demonstration

that aimed to succeed peacefully with the intervention of faith. Nuns kneeled

in front of tanks with rosaries in their hands and uttering their prayers.

With the power of prayers, the armed marine troops under the command of

Marcos withdrew from the site. Celebrities expressed their support putting

up a presentation to showcase the injustices and the anomalies carried out

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by the Marcos administration. Finally, in the morning of February 25, 1986,

Corazon Aquino took the presidential oath of office, administered by the

Supreme Court Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee at Club Filipino located

in San Juan. Aquino was proclaimed as the 11th President of the Republic of

the Philippines. She was the first lady president of the country. People

rejoiced over their victory proving the success of the EDSA People’s Power

Revolution, the historic peaceful demonstration. Although in 2001, there was

an attempt to revive People Power in the efforts to oust then

President Joseph Estrada, it was not as strong as the glorifying

demonstration in 1986. The bloodless, People Power Revolution in EDSA

renewed the power of the people, strengthened the meaning of democracy

and restored the democratic institutions of government. Continue to the 5th

Republic (1986) up to the Present Time.

III. Examination in which the aim of the film’s argument is

supported. The following questions:

1. What is the filmmaker’s purpose?

The filmmaker’s purpose is to provide Filipinos the traces of origins

of “People Power” in history to determine how it has strengthened

democratic institutions in the Philippines. They showed that it is not

the title which is the sole source of democracy. Moreover, it is the

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 power of the people to defend and stand firm in their will in

accordance with the national betterment. It portrayed the ability of

majority to run over the unjustified rules & guidelines of

government officials.

2. What is the argument/thesis of the film? What assertions/claims are

made?

Small and usually taken for granted sectors in the country being

united is all it takes to press the evil governance of our two former

presidents down. When the use of power became abusive and over-

dominating the people had all the rights to terminate, give their

expressions as well as opinions and seek for social change if

necessary. The video claimed that in order for the Filipinos to raise

their arm, awareness that they’re being deprived of their rights,

must first be bestowed to them.

Now, then, if the people already felt being oppressed and being

denied by their rightful rights is the meantime they must take an

action. Without thereof, we must peaceful government must take

place and protests as well as actions against the government official

should not be conducted.

3. To what extent does the argument have validity? Are there fallacies,

contradictions, or inconsistencies in the argument?

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 4. What is the attitude or viewpoint of the filmmaker? Tone?

5. How does the structure of the film help achieve its purpose?

IV. Analysis & Explanation of the Best Scenes

(1) Issues against Estrada included his many mistresses to whom he

gave countless luxuries expensive mansions like the so-called

“Boracay Mansion”. That was when the Cardinal decide with our

support of course. This is very evil administration, he said, “ They’re

stealing from people … using government machinery to steal. This

is immoral. We should stop this”. Twice people gathered at EDSA

Shrine in response to the call made by Cardinal Sin & Cory Aquino

for Pres. Estrada to resign.

(2) Then they released a lot of money. This was exposed by delegate

Eduardo Quintero… Bribery was one way for Marcos to get what he

wanted from the Constitutional Convention.

(3) The Collective action of masses of people from all social classes and

sectors an outburst of rage and courage bad joyful & festival, a

revolution that topples rulers, but a peaceful one unarmed & non

violent.

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