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Goyo: The Hero You Never Quite Knew

The film "Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral" is a sequel to the historical film "Heneral Luna" that focuses on Gregorio del Pilar, the youngest general in the Philippine-American war. It shows Del Pilar carrying out orders to eliminate supporters of Antonio Luna after his execution, and Del Pilar's struggles with his own doubts and mental health during the war. The movie highlights key battles like the Battle of Tirad Pass, where Del Pilar helped Aguinaldo escape but was ultimately outmaneuvered by American forces. While some found the main character lacking intensity, the film effectively conveyed the personal struggles of being a young war hero through its cinematography and portrayal of

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213 views3 pages

Goyo: The Hero You Never Quite Knew

The film "Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral" is a sequel to the historical film "Heneral Luna" that focuses on Gregorio del Pilar, the youngest general in the Philippine-American war. It shows Del Pilar carrying out orders to eliminate supporters of Antonio Luna after his execution, and Del Pilar's struggles with his own doubts and mental health during the war. The movie highlights key battles like the Battle of Tirad Pass, where Del Pilar helped Aguinaldo escape but was ultimately outmaneuvered by American forces. While some found the main character lacking intensity, the film effectively conveyed the personal struggles of being a young war hero through its cinematography and portrayal of

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Guian Eito
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© © All Rights Reserved
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GOYO: THE HERO YOU NEVER QUITE

KNEW
After the success of the Filipino historical film “Heneral Luna” in 2015 comes its sequel
called “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” (Goyo: The Boy General) with Paulo Avelino starring as
Gregorio del Pilar. A historical film that was set in the Ilocos Region during the Philippine-
American colonial period showed a closer view to who Gregorio del Pilar really is and his
involvement on the war against Americans including the events that took place in the famous
“Battle of Tirad Pass”. Goyo is a film that every Filipino needs to watch as it does not only open
our sense of nationalism but it also showed us the inside of a hero’s mind besides all faces of
bravery and nationalism lies fear and frustration to the cause that he is fighting for. With this I
can say it deserves a 4/5 rating.

The movie immediately took after where the film “Heneral Luna” ended and started the
morning after the execution of Gen. Antonio Luna. General Goyo, a 24-year old general and the
President’s favorite now carries the mission of eliminating every person who still swear by the
principles posted upon by the late General Luna. He was able to apprehend a boy named
‘Angelito’ who was actually the sibling of Luna’s former aides-de-camp, Manuel. Del Pilar was
able to locate Manuel in a merchant’s house, and with that was able to capture him and put him
into torture until he denounces his loyalty to General Luna and join as one of Del Pilar’s military
personnel. Manuel fervently refused Goyo’s offer by insulting him and comparing him to a mere
dog and with this he was put to death.

Jose Alejandrino, a former ally of Luna then meets up with Apolinario Mabini and talks
about the true cause of death of the late general. Aguinaldo is then promoted as a Major-General
by Emillo Aguinaldo and makes his way in courting the merchant’s daughter, Remedios.
Meanwhile, Aguinaldo also offers Apolinario Mabini as post Chief Justice who
unenthusiastically accepts the position.

Soldiers are seen at peace, taking a break, having fun at parties and of such portraying
that there has not been any conflict or war for at least five months, in this portion, we see
snippets of Goyo having personal breakdowns and hallucinations of the dead Manuel calling him
an obeying dog rather than a true soldier. Soon after, the Filipino soldiers are caught off-guard by
the ambush of the Americans. With this Emilio Aguinaldo orders for the army to proceed to the
camp of General Tinio in Pozorrubio, Pangasinan in order to strategize a counteract attack to the
Americans. Unfortunately, the forces of Gen. Tinio were defeated by the Americans, and with
this, Aguinaldo’s men were forced to go futher north to retreat from the Americans. Heading
north, the military had a lot of encounters with troops from the enemy, until an ambush led to the
family of Aguinaldo being captured.
Arriving at Mount Tirad in Ilocos Sur, Goyo was able to think of a way for Aguinaldo to escape.
Teaming up with former Lieutenant Garcia, they were able to corner the American troops in a
visible route of the mountain. But unfortunately, tables were then turned, when the Igorot
showed a secret pathway to the mountain where the Filipino troops were located. Overall, the
movie was able to strip history off from flowery adjectives and showcase the truth leaving us a
reminder:“to be loyal to your country, not to your idol”

The very noticeable movie aspect of the film was its cinematography. Jerrold Tarog was
able to maintain the same vibe from the first film. It was combined with music in order to help
convey a stronger emotion to the events in the movie. The flow divided the movie into two.
Namely, the war itself and the own struggles of Gregorio del Pilar as a hero who have seen two
sides of the Philippine Revolution. The storyline basically portrays that a hero such as Goyo has
his own inner demons and fear of death especially in the midst of war. Tarog was also able to
incorporate a smooth foreshadowing of later events in the film that will surprise you but see it
fitting in the end. The mental struggle of Goyo was able to portrayed as though the audience can
see what it feels like from his own perspective. The play in color grades of warmth and coolness
played a huge factor in the film that made a contribution in making it look like it was set during
the historical period. Overall, the cinematography was the aspect that stood out the best because
it is obviously seen that it was carefully edited, and thought of by the team.

The cast was able to execute their roles with justice and conviction, although some
people might view Paulo Avelino lacking conviction or “tikas” but personally, I think it was
fitting considering that Gregorio del Pilar was very young at that time, with this the audience
needs to consider the characteristics of a young person who shows timidness and hesitance rather
than a very brave, emotional and outright character.

Overall, the film was superb, it was able to show the intention of the director whether it
be heroism, personal struggle or the consequences of false idolatry. The only thing is that the
film could’ve elaborated how Gregorio del Pilar became a hero in the first place. History classes
only gave us a limited information with only the lines of “youngest general” and this film opened
a window on knowing who he is as a person but not much on who he is as a hero. With limited
information, we are immediately fed with the information on his idolization of the incompetent
President Emilio Aguinaldo that may view him negatively but besides this flaw, the details were
well-researched given with how detailed the movie is. The quality of the film was as if it wasn’t
an indie movie because it is very high quality. For those who are planning to watch the movie,
make sure to refresh those old history lessons in order to have a deeper grasp of the film. Now I
would like to end with a line from the movie that left a mark on me

“Tandaan mo kung sino ka.’


Film
Film review
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Review
“Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral”

Submitted by: Bianca Angela F. Balobalo


Grade 11- St. Lorenzo Ruiz
Submitted to: Ms. Melissa Pangilinan

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