I can’t just understand why good and relevant films have not been popular in our times, especially those that are of Philippine history genre.
In the recent past, there were films like General Luna (Antonio Luna), Goyo (Gregorio del Pilar) and Gomburza (Frs. Mariano Gómes, José Burgos and Jacinto Zamora). Period films that are worthy of being watched and patronized.
But look! Movie theaters here in Roxas City didn’t have that good number of movie goers for these worthwhile movies.
Then lately, Quezon (Manuel Quezon) and Lakambini (Grogoria de Jesus). Same thing happened. In the particular time schedules when I watched these movies, there were only two of us who braved to watch them. But then I can honestly that I got my money’s worth and enjoyed such films. Even learned a lot from them.
In particular in Lakambini, since Gregoria de Jesus was the wife of Andres Bonifacio, many things were mentioned about him too. Let me single out this great nationalistic poem of his reminding us Filipinos of our love for our country the Philippines. Yes it was Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa that was highlighted in the final part of the movie.
Let me quote the first lines if only to remind us of our noble and sublime duty to our beloved country:
Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya,
sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila.
Gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa?
Alin pag-ibig pa?
Wala na nga, wala.
