Reflection Paper about the Film "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?
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The movie is “ Ganito kami noon, Paano kayo ngayon?” directed by Eddie Romero.
Based on the movie, the language they usually used during that time is Spanish and Tagalog so
it's hard to understand. The transportation they used is kalesa (mode of transportation during
that time). The way of entertainment is through singing, dancing and stage plays. How Filipinos
are screaming for justice and freedom. And the sad part is the abuse and mistreatment of
Filipinos by Spanish colonizers and the lack of education to all Filipinos. The movie starts with
the main character Kulas played by Christopher De Leon where he has just lost his mom and
house due the fire. After all this happened he wanted a new life and he sold his land in
exchange for a horse. Because of a lack of education, Filipinos easily get into trouble. They
don't know the situation they go through is dangerous just like how the main character Kulas
experienced but lucky enough he survived. This proved that during that time the Filipinos who
have low social class are not safe to the country especially those who live in the provinces
because of lack of education.
Diding the love interest of Kulas played by Gloria Diaz, she is a performer and singer
who wants to be a famous Filipina actress. She is passionate to reach her dream and that led
her to play someone else's heart. It is not intention , she just did it to reach her dream and
during that time women are supposed to serve the man but that is not what all women want to
do. They don't have a chance to become wealthy for herself because almost all wealthy families
are from men. This type of situation is still common today. There are still many women,
especially poor women, who wish to marry a wealthy guy, generally a foreigner. It is because
they believe that marrying a wealthy guy will save them from poverty. The entire movie evolved
out of Filipinos that lost identity, the character of Kulas himself doesn't know the real definition or
why he is Filipino. During his journey he met a lot of types of people that describe being a
Filipino. He then realized that being born in the Philippines is enough to be called a Filipino.
During that time Filipinos are struggling around the Colonizer, they don’t have a voice to speak
up for them. And the life and happening during that time. The gap between the Filipinos and
Spanish, and the gap between rich and poor. The character of Kulas is very genuine to be
called Filipino, even though there are difficulties in his life where he lost his mom and house he
chooses to be positive and continue his life.
The title of the film asks “Paano kayo ngayon?” a lot of things change when the Filipino
finally feels the freedom. Still there are things that happen till this day. But I think Filipinos forgot
what sacrifice our heroes fought for and they go through just to just the justice and freedom of
our country that we experienced today. Young people are now violence because of the influence
of social media and society. But it doesn’t mean I don’t want to be a Filipino anymore. Instead I
am more dedicated to be successful in order to be one of the best Filipino citizen and I want to
show that our culture is important to remember and practice.
