Movie Analysis:

JOSE RIZAL

An old maxim in Latin says, “Nemo dat quod non habet.” “You cannot give what you do not have.” In the same way, we cannot learn to love our cultural heritage as Filipinos, a mighty race in the Far East, if we do not know our background and history as Filipinos. Moreover, as Filipinos we should also try to consider that our heritage is indeed of a noble race, able to produce such personalities as Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the national hero of our dearly beloved country Philippines.
It is indeed helpful to come up with a movie depicting the life of our national hero and I appreciate the noble intentions of the team of Marilous Diaz-Abaya in coming up with the film, Jose Rizal. The movie is great only for those who have critical minds and have known the national hero of the Philippines from lessons in history or from a book. The movie is fond of using a series of flashbacks, which may somehow baffle the innocent minds of the viewers. Moreover, the story line of the movies is crafted in such a way of mixing the life story of the hero with his two prominent novels, the Noli Me Tangere and the El Filibusterismo. But as I have said earlier, the movie is done intellectually. It refrains from the usual flow of Filipino movies. The director has done a great part in producing such great production. The presentation of the scenes is novel and interesting though sometimes confusing. It takes a critical mind to understand what is implied and given stress in the movie.
As expected, the movie may have some discrepancies with regards to the narration of events on the life of the hero. There are portions and details that are not in consonance with the narration of Sonia Zaide in her books. Such event as the scene where Dona Teodora was arrested is one of these inconsistencies. Rizal was not supposed to be present during the arrest, because he is supposed to be in Ateneo during that time, as what Zaide narrated in the book. An another very striking inconsistency is depicted during the final hours of Rizal on earth. In the movie, Jose Rizal given life by Cesar Montano shouted Consumatum est, as if he were Jesus Christ. I guess it relies on the ingenuity of Cesar as an actor and to add humor to the film. There were also scenes, which seem very typical to a Filipino movie. Some extras are not justifying their role and it turns out humorous instead of convincing.
However, I like the way Abaya make the film progress. She did it on using flashbacks, more on the part where Rizal confided his case to his lawyer Lt. Taviel de Andrade. I found it effective and ingenious. Other than that, the acting of the principal characters is very convincing especially on the part of Cesar Montano, who really justified his role as the national hero of the Philippines.
Another very striking in the film is the part where Simoun makes apparitions to Rizal. If you were not able to grasp it intellectually, you may misunderstand the point of the story. I appreciate that scene crafted by Abaya because it has a deeper meaning. I guess Rizal did really have a hard time on deciding whether to have Simoun killed or succeed in El Filibusterismo. It seems to be that many are not happy with the tragic ending of his second novel considering that Elias (one of the principal characters in jhis Noli) has died in his first novel. But Rizal did a great thing. Since the Simuon was not able to succeed in his novel, that gives the impetus to the Filipinos to end the novel the way they want. Thus if they really feel that enough is enough with all the injustices done by the tyrant Spaniards, then they are given the option to raise arms and have a bloody revolution. Had Rizal let Simuon succeed in his novel, the Filipinos might be contented enough to have win their cause in a novel. But because Rizal’s hero in his novel faced a tragic ending, the Filipinos are encouraged to change its ending and indeed it happened. As a result, the tyrant Spaniards, specifically the arrogant and immoral friars have met their final destiny. Finally, justice has reigned in the country long ago oppressed. That is maybe the reason why Rizal became the national hero of the country even if he did not indulge in bloody revolutions unlike what Bonifacio, Aguinaldo and the rest did. But Rizal’s novel is the very reason of the downfall of the Spanish regime in the country. It was his thoughts that inspire the Filipinos to be brave enough in facing their enemies. Indeed pen is mightier than the sword.

THE INGENOUSUS CLASS
By: Sem. Waldemar B. Castino


I do believe that no matter how simple we are we have our own unique talents. These talents set us apart from the rest and somehow celebrate our individuality. It reminds us that we are unique individuals. However, these talents must be nurtured within us and must be shared to the humanity for the sole purpose of glorifying Him, the giver of all.
Way back in the year 2004, 25 young men were accepted to be a part of the seminary family. Loaded with zest to follow Christ and calibered with talents, they showed to the community their worth. In the eventful moment of their Neophytes Night, they made their best in their showcase of talents. It was such a very wonderful night, full of fun and laughter as the talents of these young men came out to the open. That night was worth remembering because it was such a revelation.
One could spot a promising singing priest in the future in the person of Wit2.. Aside from Wit2 , there were still who were gifted with the voice of an angel and have the capacity to improve: Greg, Waldz, Jessie, Emm, Zai, JM, and Mon. The proof was they were now part of the prestigious chorale in the province, the IHMS Chorale. When it comes to dancing, this class had its bet on Miloy, Wit2, Gary ,Gel, and Mon who could do the moves with their dancing prowess. Moreover, when it comes to theatre arts, specifically in acting, the class had Gary, Chard, Emm, Mon, and Waldz as best actors. . The long list did not end here. Emm, Nardz, Mon, Mart, Greg, Jul, Jovic, and Sabine could handle comical ingenuity that could tickle anyone to death. There were also those who were gifted with the hosting stint such as Chard, Waldz, Miloy, Ajet, Darwin, and Emm. Nardz and Darwin can deliver a balak so well. And the musicals could be done with the guitar accompaniment of Ajet, Flor, Greg, Nardz, and JM. I guess nobody else in the seminary could do the best I drums than Romar. As the program ended, the class had proved their worth.
In one of his homilies, Rev. Fr. Martin C. Lupiba, the rector praised the class for their being talented. Since then, the class adopted the name “INGENOUSUS”, a Latin adjective, which simply means talented.
As the school year came to a close, Sabine, one of our classmates was evicted, while Dwacks preferred to take a voluntary exit. So the next year, the original batch of 25 was trimmed down to 21 as Mart and Greg were promoted to the 2nd year. On that same remarkable year, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, Msgr. Cirilo Darunday invested us with the sotana
Since then, we nurtured our talents within us. We also found out that there were some of our classmates who were talented in sports. Take Flor and Miloy. Others also did their best on arts such as Boysen, Gary, Ajet, and MJ. And this class was very proud to have Darwin, the living saint seminarian noted for his being pious and gentle. Academically speaking, this class is very competent with Waldz, Zai , Chard, Ajet, Wit2 , and Emm. And as usual, the school year ended with a smile.
Then the class is now on its third year of existence, but it is very sad to note that another two of the class did not able to join us because of some reasons. In fact, we terribly miss Gel and Jessie. But luckily, two from the regency program joined our class in the person of Florbe, and Rodel. They too are talented individuals. Be it on sports, arts, music and academics.

As we go on with our journey towards fulfilling our dreams for the priesthood, we know that God will always be there to guide our ways and to enlighten our minds. Though we are sure that not all of us will become priest someday but at least we have tried our best to use our God-given talents and faculties for His greater glory. He who is the reason of everything deserves such thing. We know that there are still a lot of trials coming along our way, but we will bravely face it with courage as we continue to unfold our history. At least, we are proud of ourselves that we are once a part of the INGENUOSUS CLASS, who were not self-conceited but devoted individuals for the greater glory of God.

THE NOTEBOOK
By: Nicholas Sparks


It is such a very wonderful love story that let your hearts feel the nobility of real love. It can make you believe that indeed real love exist in a person’s life. Upon watching the movie based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, I have noticed that there are many alterations made between the movie and the novel itself.
First, let me tackle with regards to the sequence of events. In the novel, the ferris wheel scene is not found. It is where Noah is risking his life just to win the consent of Allie to date with him. However, in the movie, it seems to be exaggerated to make an impact. I have not also read the part shown in the movie where they are lying on the street. I guess it is just an addition to make the movie more romantic. In the novel, Noah’s childhood is given a flashback, wherein it is said that he is good at sports that somehow made him popular among kids. It also explains why Noah loves to read poems and memorize it by heart.
There are also scenes in the movie which are not found in the original idea of the novel. An example is the scene where Noah is listening to the argument of Allie and her parents. In addition, the fight they have before they part. These scenes are not found in the novel. It is not also written in the novel the part when Allie and her mother went to the construction and told Ann told Allie some secrets of her past. It is not also found in the novel that Allie almost met an accident upon going home to her hotel.
Aside from that, scenes are also altered. The scene where they have a reunion after fourteen years is one. In the movie, they just stayed in the house and do a lot of talking. However, in the novel, they used to stroll around hand in hand. Another is their lovemaking. It is supposed to be happened at the sala near the fireplace after Allie had taken a bath. Nevertheless, it is altered and they started to make it right after they got out from the boat. The scene also which shows that when Allie wake up the next day, there is a rose on one of the pillows and markers were made going down to the kitchen for her breakfast. The novel said that Allie has her breakfast in bed the day after their reunion and lovemaking. Another thing is that the letters of Noah which is hidden by Allies mother should be given while they were sitting from the porch from her mothers pocketbook and not from the back of the car when Allies’ mother is about to go. In the novel, Allie read Noah’s letters in the car upon reaching the parking lot of her hotel and not in the streets as shown in the movie. Finally, Allie on her old age ought to be thinning but the movie shows a stout old Allie.
Aside from alterations, there are also omissions happening in the movie (that is supposed to be there). An example is the persistence of Noah to look for the whereabouts of Allie. It is given emphasis in the novel because it shows how true Noah’s love for Alllie is. Another is the scene on a Christmas party, where Allie’s mother told Lon about the past of Allie and her puppy love with Noah. To make things clear, the scenes where Allie showed early symptoms of Alzheimer’s must also be included but it is not shown in the movie maybe to save time. Finally, it is not also shown that Noah now on his old age is reading their letters as a way of reminiscing the past.

When we talk about characterization. There also some details that does not fit with the novel. In the movie, it is not shown and given stress the character of Allie as an artist struggling to be recognized and motivated by Noah. The scene where Allie went to a shop is not found in the movie. Noah must have also left a note to Allie before they part. Lon is also given stress in the novel, being the third party where a conflict can be drawn. Some details about Lon are disregarded in the film such as his courtroom scenes wherein he is not properly disposed due to Allies indifference.
There are also minor characters who are absent in the movie. For instance, Morris Goldman, the owner of the scrap metal business where Noah was working and was later given a big sum of money for his good work. Another thing that I missed in the movie is Clem, Noah’s dog. She is supposed to be there since it was only her whom Noah considered companion before Allie came to his house. In addition, I didn’t see Gus, the 70-year old best friend of Noah in the film, who acts as a confidante of our principal character.
Finally, with regards to the overall effects. There are minor details about their story, which are not included in the movie. The scene where Noah is supposed to teach Allie how to bait is nowhere to be found. It could give more color to the story. Noah is also supposed to be strumming the guitar as his pastime but it was neglected as well in the movie. Noah and Allie are supposed to be fishing together. The newspaper must be discovered by Allie from her father while having coffee and not from her mother while wearing her wedding gown. The details about the dinner on their reunion are also neglected. They supposed to have crabs and have it prepared together.
However, even if they have a lot of alterations, omissions and differences. They still convey the same story of love of two beings. But for my part, the novel is better than the movie.

Reaction Paper:

LES MISERABLES
By: Victor Hugo

It is a story with a long and intricate plot, of the heroic life of a simple and good man in the person of Jean Valjean. He is a very memorable character who is morally upright but guilty of certain thefts for which he feels remorse. To avoid capture and life sentence, he assumes the identity of Monsieur Madeliene, soon becoming the mayor of the small town he has adopted.
It is a very beautiful story packed with excitement. You will always try to think what would happen to the characters as they ventured into new frontiers. It talks about man’s struggle to escape the past and reaffirm his humanity in a society wherein poverty and ignorance prevails. Aside from being a superb adventure, it can also be considered as a powerful social document. It shows the inhumane treatment of the convicts and ex-convicts. It also shows how a man can be redeemed by accepting suffering, and by following the dictates of his conscience even if it entails suffering and ostracism from many people.
It also talks about the man’s struggle for existence in the case of the principal character, Jean Valjean as he tried to forget the past and go on with his life. He is such a remarkable character distinct to other people we met in our daily undertakings. He’s exceptional and one of a kind.
It also dwells with the supernatural power of love, the love to give up one’s freedom for the sake of justice. It is also quite romantic especially on the part of the love affair of Marius and Cosette that tickles your bones. However, it is more on being a melodrama, that let your heart cry out specially on the ending part where it is shown how noble Jean was in his lifetime upon his deathbed.
This novel has also convincing characterization. The character of Jean Valjean depicts a man who triumphs over evil in him and in others. He dared to expose himself, coined with it is accepting the suffering and sacrifices to prevent the conviction of an innocent man for a crime which he had committed in the past. This crime seems to be very forgivable. Thus, we can categorize it as a justifiable act of theft since it is done as a last recourse. Stealing a loaf of bread to feed a sister and her starving children is not bad at all, considering that life is the highest value that should be given stress. But Jean Valjean accepted his fate and has proved to himself that he has triumphed over his fear and had done justice. At least he had lived his life with love and he had been loved by Cosette, his so-called adopted daughter
Cosette is also a very striking character. She too has her share of the cup of sorrow, being a daughter of Fantine who was left to the Thernadiers only to be maltreated. At least she found consolation, because she is well loved by Jean and had been rescued from the Thernadiers. Marius on the other hand, complicates the plot of the story when he thought of Jean as an evil person upon learning things about Jean from the past. He didn’t even know that it was Jean who saved his life, when he was almost facing death.
Another memorable character is Javert, the inspector who always followed Jean in the hope of capturing him. He is very much obsessed about it that leads to his death in his own hands. He can’t accept that he who is trying to inflict harm to a person was saved by the same person. Moreover, the bishop who had a great influence on Jean is also a very remarkable character. Without him, Jean would not triumph over evil in himself and in others. It seems to be that he is an angel sent down from heaven to enlighten and inspire the principal character of the story.
This novel teaches us many things. Such as we can’t escape our conscience. Even if we have successfully hidden our secrets in the form of misdeeds in the past, it will continue to haunt us until we face it and divulge it in public. Such was the case of Jean. This novel also opens our eyes about the reality in our society we belong where there are lots of injustices, discriminations and the like. It also tells us not to judge the book by its cover in the case of Marius. We should not let pass any judgement over anybody because that person might have a golden heart hidden within him.
We should also put in mind that if there is life, there is hope. No matter how messy our past had come, we could still make amends to it and make our lives better. Jean is a great example of such thing; he succeeded to become a mayor in a town despite his dark past.
Life is difficult but it is in difficulty that we can appreciate its meaning. The miserable character of Jean in the novel teaches us the reality in life. Nevertheless, the bottom line is “It does not matter how many heartaches, sufferings and pains we encountered in life as long as we have loved and we have been loved

A CHILD OF SORROW
By: Zoilo Galang


It is such a very wonderful love story that tickles your bones and tells you that it is a nice feeling to be in love. Though, its title suggests its tragic ending, but still I on my part like the simple yet elegant story crafted in this novel by Zoilo Galang. Considering the fact that this is the first Filipino novel written in English, it follows suit that it lacks sophistication. The characterization, plot and setting of the said novel are simple. However, behind this simplicity, it is still a good try and a nice start for the future of novels being the youngest literary genre in the Philippines.
The story is very well sequenced. It refrains the use of flashbacks as possible in order to avoid baffling the minds of the readers. Thus, somewhere in the part of the novel, we could somehow surmise and predict the flow of events, which is very typical to a Filipino author. Each chapter has its own theme developed and united in one thought.
With regards to characterization, Galang made it by having memorable characters as Rosa and Julio. They are very ordinary characters but their love story is unique. I could somehow identify myself with Julio. Like him, I am living in illusion with reading too many books. Sometimes I detached from reality as I try to imagine things which are very fiction in nature.
The story of the novel revolves around love as its theme. Love is such a very powerful feeling that could not be prevented by anything else. But inasmuch as love is a feeling, it also demands sacrifice. True love is tested by trials that come along in a relationship. It may come in the form of a third part, rumors and etc. Our cherished lovers in the novel also encountered such things. It is also stressed that inspiration brings change. When we are inspired brought about by being in love, we could have the zest to do things better and could change for the best that we can be. Failures in life must not be considered curses. Failures are sometimes blessings in disguise. If we only have the proper attitude towards life, thus counting the trials that come along our way as another challenge for us to grow, then life is worth living.
The novel teaches us a lot of things. It teaches us the reality in life that we fall in love even in an unexpected time. Love buds everywhere and no one is exempted to fall in love. As long as we live, it is inevitable for us to fall in love.