EMONG'S JOURNALS

It's Independence Day! So let's talk about patriots and heroes. President-elect Rodrigo Duterte had been hugging the headlines lately with his engaging but very delightful rhetorics. Let's admit it. All those "tough talks" remind us of the original badass hero of the country. Here's a few quotes from the movie, "Heneral Luna": 1. "Artikulo Uno: Ang hindi sumunod sa utos ng punong heneral ay tatanggalan ng ranggo at ipapapatay ng walang paglilitis sa hukumang militar." 2. "Mga inutil! Hindi tayo namamasyal!" 3. "Para kayong mga birheng naniniwala sa pag-ibig ng isang puta!" 4. "Ganito ba talaga ang tadhana natin? Kalaban ng kalaban. Kalaban ng kakampi. Nakakapagod." 5. "Nasubukan mo na bang hulihin ang hangin?" 6. "Negosyo o kalayaan? Bayan o sarili? Pumili ka!" 7. "Ano bang akala niya? Ibang bansa na ang Cavite?" 8. "Nasa ibang ulo ang utak ng inyong ka...

So you think you know your Philippine history? After the screening of what may be the best historical period movie ever made in the country, the "Heneral Luna" biopic - some comments surfacing over the social media networks prove the most uncomfortable truth about most young Filipinos nowadays. That they don't know their history right. In his social media account, actor Epy Quizon -- who played the role of the paralytic Apolinario Mabini -- was wondering what kind of history class the present-day schools are teaching the young students of today. He was referring to a question thrown at him by some college students on why Mabini was always sitting all throughout the movie. He returned the question to them, saying "Don't you know Mabini?" Apolinario Mabini was struck by polio in 1895, and the disease gradually incapacitated him until January 1896, when he finally lost the use of both his lower limbs. Mabini was an educator and a lawyer, who s...

A history buff yourself? "Heneral Luna" movie is offering a 50% discount on all students who'd want to see the life story of the most controversial Filipino general to ever join the revolution. SYNOPSIS: Set during the Philippine-American war, a short-tempered Filipino general faces an enemy more formidable than the American army: his own treacherous countrymen. In 1898, General Antonio Luna ( John Arcilla ), commander of the revolutionary army, is spoiling for a fight. The Philippines, after three hundred years as a Spanish colony, has unwillingly come under American rule. General Luna wants to fight for freedom but members of the elite would rather strike a deal with the United States. The infighting is fierce in the new cabinet but General Luna and his loyal men forge ahead even as his military decisions are met with resistance from soldiers who are loyal only to President Aguinaldo ( Mon Confiado ). Ultimately, it is the general’s legendary temper and pride th...