Act4 G2 Rizal

Group Members : CABUNGCAL, keneth Joe

ORPILLA, Princess
DELA CRUZ, Maeden
JAVIER, Maribel
TUMAGCAO, Precious
Course and Section : BS Management Accounting
Subject : The Life and Works of Rizal
Professor/Instructo : Mr. Geremy Bayang
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A. Describe the nineteenth-century Philippines as represented in the film.

The Film, "Ganito Kami noon, Paano kayo ngayon?" it highlights the cultural and societal
aspect of the Filipino experience during the colonization period. The film shows the transition of
administration from Spaniards to Americans. It shows in the film how powerful priest because of
their connection towards Spanish government as well as their wealth. The priests have
connection to the Spanish Government. Filipino's are living in fear because of the cruelty of
Spaniards that is why some of them are living in mountainous areas to hide themselves, to
protect their families and real identity. The nineteenth- century Philippines represented in the
film is uncivilized, unequal and chaotic. Uncivilized it is because the people in the film
specifically Filipinos were intimidated by the occupiers so they did not know where and what
race they belonged to, their plans for this country are forbidden to be executed, their life are
being controlled and manipulated, and the ability to perform their responsibilities as Filipinos are
limited under Spanish regime. Unequal because people are not treated well just like in part of the
movie that Nicolas Ocampo was imprisoned even though he is innocent or biased treatment can
be seen in the film as a result of being on the bottom of societal hierarchy, that is, if you are poor
and uneducated, people will judge you for being ineffective and unproductive part of the society
while if you are rich and educated, people will adore you because you possess something like
such power and/ or authority to act in accordance with self-interest and supremacy over weak
and unable. On the other hand, the Philippines during the nineteenth century was chaotic it is
because at that time Philippines were still occupied by the conquerors. It really depicts the life in
which people are distinguished by background and status that even indirectly but explicitly told
by Rizal through his novels and other writings.
In terms of societal and cultural representation, during that time there were no taxis, buses,
and highly rated cars. They used to ride on a transportation done by horses or kalesa. There were
no flat screen televisions that time, there were still no laptops and any other platforms for which
the entertainment can be viewed by many. All forms of entertainment are done by stage or
theatre or singing like in an opera although they are still being patronized today but not as like
that before. Schools are done in churches so they can only teach children with limited knowledge
that will not cause unfavourable repercussions to their interests and agendas. The food they eat
were all inspired by the Spaniards, the way of courting, unlike today that we can just have one
click on a computer or cellphones we can already do courting, but they used to ask permissions
to the parents of the girl before do the courting as a sign of respect and sincerity.
B. Base on your previous readings and recorded discussion, what can your group say
about the film’s representation of the nineteenth-century.
The film was represented in a comedic way, so the mood was not so heavy, however, it does
not fail to show the struggles of Filipino people as discussed in the previous lessons. As the story
goes, it shows the situation of the Philippines in the 19th century in different aspects such as
political, economical and social. Concomitant development of agricultural industries and
domestic as well as foreign trade was represented. Foreigners were allowed to engage in
manufacturing and agriculture. Merchant banks banks and financial institutions were shown. The
rise of new breed was also represented. There are Chinese Mestizos like Lim, who helped Kulas.
Filipino Spanish like Bindoy whose mother is a Filipina and a Spanish Father who was actually a
Priest. Social status was also classified. Those who are in upper class study in Spain while
majority of those who are poor, were not given an opportunity to study even in the Philippines,
especially those who are in provinces. The character of Kulas also represented the innocence of
the Filipino people but also became aware in the latter part. That moment that he became aware,
that represents the rise of nationalism and patriotism of the Filipino people.
In other words, it’s amazing in a way that the movie was represented really look like the
Philippines during the nineteenth century. The way they speak, the way they act, the way they
portrayed the Spaniard rulings; the innocents were being imprisoned without laws governing
their execution, the shift of government from colonizers after colonizers, then the gradual shift of
society to traditional living into exploration and discoveries.
C. Give the main question that the film seeks to answer, give your own reflection (as a
group) based on the film and your understanding.
The main question would be, "Who are the Filipinos?" The beginning of the film does not
clarify who the Filipino was. It is not enough that a person is living in a certain place or country
without knowing who he really was. Nicolas “kulas” Ocampo say that the Filipinos was the one
who was born and living in the country but one of the character say in the movie that the true
Filipino’s is willing to serve and accept responsibility. Likewise, there are moments in our lives
where we felt lost. We tend to question ourselves, what are we made for. What is our purpose?
There were confusions, doubts and worries but as we continue to wander, life will give us the
answers. Just like Kulas, as he finally found his self, everything else followed. He found his
rights, his worth and the people who are fighting the same battle as him. For that reason, in the
end of the film, he finally found a goal to strive for, which leads him into a tough decision to
leave Diding and Bindoy.
Today, we see minimal people especially students or youth that have been so much covered
with societal affection and the advancement of technological innovation as the nineteenth
century continues to affect and place the world into more discovered and easiest way of living by
means of discovery and exploration. The point is, we may see the big changes in political,
societal and economical aspects of our country but those big shifts makes more the Filipino
people apathetic with country’s interests. Who are Filipnos? The answer for this question does
not end to a Filipino born in the Philippines. The question should be who are the real Filipinos?
Real Filipinos as depicted in the film and portrayed by the main character Kulas are those only
not naturally born in this country but those who perform their duties and responsibilities as part
and born and from this country.

Act4 G2 Rizal

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Group Members : CABUNGCAL, keneth Joe

A. Describe the nineteenth-century Philippines as represented in the film.

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