Ramos, Leila Czarina M.
July 14, 2023
Ma'am Melanie Rose Buted BSN 2-1
Guide Questions:
1. Describe the 19th century Philippines as represented in the film.
After watching the film "Ganito kami noon, Paano kayo ngayon?", I saw that
there are many differences between how people used to live. I would depict the 19th
century Philippines by the way people dress, communicate, and travel, emphasizing
on the changes in our lifestyle and culture between then and now. The way
individuals dressed back then communicated their social standing and the type of life
they led. They can determine if you are a Senorito or just a regular citizen. It is also
clear in the footage how transportation has vastly improved. The fact that there are a
lot of trees in your surroundings is the most important thing I admire about the
nineteenth century. Nature was still lovely and green. In contrast to now, all you can
see is infrastructure. In terms of infrastructure, most houses back then were made of
wood. A house made of rock denotes luxury because only the wealthy can afford such
a home. They use Calesa as their way of transportation rather than machines or cars.
They employ animals such as a horse or a carabao to draw the carriage and transport
them to their destination. It was evident in the movie that in the 19th century, Priest
have a huge role in the society. If we remember in the start of the movie, Kolas met
Padre Gil because he was being chased by the Filipino. This was the time when
Filipino are having a revolution towards the Spaniards that’s Padre Gil was being
chased and ended up meeting Kolas. It was evident in the movie that in the 19th
century, Priest have a huge role in the society. If we remember in the start of the
movie, Kolas met Padre Gil because he was being chased by the Filipino. This was
the time when Filipino are having a revolution towards the Spaniards that’s Padre Gil
was being chased and ended up meeting Kolas.
2. Based on the movie, what can you say about the film's representation of the
19th century?
In the question above, I have already described the life and cultures in the 19th
century, which I would like to reiterate that there were drastic changes. What I like
the most in the movie in terms of the people in the 19th century is that that they are
genuine. The people that Kolas met are true and did not forsake him. At first, I
thought his Chinese friend, Tsi, will betray them, but I was wrong. Until the end he
helped Kolas and he ended up dying for Kolas. Before Padre Gil left, he told Kolas to
not let people use him and be wise, to not let his money and wealth go to waste and
exhaust. At first I thought Padre Gil was a jerk for not telling the guards that Kolas
helped him, but at the end of the movie it was evident that Padre Gil was thankful for
him and cared for him. Another thing that this movie represented about the Filipinos
was the way they say “Mag tatagumpay ang rebolusyon”, it signifies their trust and
faith in the Filipino that they can finally claim their freedom.
The 19th century era shows a lot about the lives of the Filipino in the hands of
the Spaniards. Filipinos already had enough with how the Spaniards treated them. I
think this film represents the people in the 19th century where Filipinos back then
were willing to help without hesitation. They only have one enemy which are the
Spaniards,so they don’t hesitate to help their fellow Filipino.
3. What is the main question that the film seek to answer?
In my own perspective, the film seeks answer to the question “What
does the Filipino's really want? What does it mean to be a Filipino?”. Why did I come
into conclusion that these are the question that the film was seeks to answer? I’ll
elaborate my reasons on how did I come up with this. “What does the Filipino’s really
want?”, if we can remember in the movie, Don Tibor told Kolas that “Madami na
kasing nag bago nang dumating ang mga Amerikano. Kaya lang,mahirap talagang
intindihin ang mga tao. Noon, ayaw natin sa kastila. Ngayong wala na ang mga kastila,
inaaway naman natin ang mga Amerikano ganoong hindi naman tayo masyadong
inaano”. Maybe Filipinos back then couldn’t understand what is the real intentions of
Americans in our country. What the Filipinos wanted was full Independence, and
knowing what they have experienced from the Spaniards, maybe they have that fear
inside their hearts that they might experience the same pain they had experienced with
the Spaniards. Thankfully, the Americans helped us, educated us, and guided us so
that when they leave us, we know what to do without depending on others. For the
second question, “What does it mean to be a Filipino?”. As I watched the movie,the
term “Filipino” was not used to describe your nationality. You can’t easily say that
you are a“Filipino”. Kolas once ask Don Tibor, “Sino ho ngayon ang mga Pilipino?”,
and Don Tiboranswered, “Ang mga kagaya ko na handing mag lingkod at tumanggap
ng responsibilidad.”.Only the people who are worthy to be called “Filipino” can use it
to call their selves a “Filipino”.But, at the end of the movie, Kolas said to the children
that “Pilipino rin kayo”. This symbolizes that you are a Filipino, as long as you love
your country, you fight for it and do everything for your country. Pilipino ka, Pilipino
tayo.
4. What is your own reflection based on the film and your understanding.
Answer the question in a comprehensive manner.
Based on the film and my understanding, the Philippines had several obstacles
during the nineteenth century, including human rights violations, slavery, and unfair
rule. The Spaniards were able to control the people, and there were mass executions
under their reign. But, on the other hand, such problems have only revealed that
Filipinos have a strong sense of what is right for them and have been able to
overcome them. The Filipinos were compelled to change and abolish the way of life
that existed at the time as a result of the powerful people's unjust conduct. With it, the
Filipino people came together for a single cause and were able to gain independence
from the Spanish colony for which they had fought for so long. I've discovered that
the 19th century was not just about overcoming a cruel ruler, but also about
overcoming the task of nation-building.
