THE film Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral, the sequel to the blockbuster historical film “Heneral Luna” thrusts the character of President Emilio Aguinaldo played by Mon Confiado into the middle of the multi-layered conflict set during the Philippine American War.
Aside from the obvious war between the infant Philippine Republic and the invading American forces, the Filipinos are deeply ridden in strife. Its ablest general, Antonio Luna was just assassinated and loyal generals such as Gregorio del Pilar are busy rounding up remnants of Luna’s officers. There are divisions in Aguinaldo’s cabinet as well. Resigned cabinet member Apolinario Mabini’s scathing criticism of Aguinaldo’s leadership guides much of Goyo’s narrative.
The film strips Gregorio del Pilar and Emilio Aguinaldo of their heroic myths we read in our history books and some historical movies. It portrays them as flawed, imperfect leaders whose redeeming virtues were leading the fight and dying (in the case of del Pilar) against colonizers. That the lessons of the past still are very much relevant today.
This writer caught up with Mon Confiado in General Santos City during the Lantawan Film Festival where he served as juror and asked him about his take on the character he portrays.
Mon who had appeared in 300 movies in his 25-year career as an actor recalls the painstaking preparations he had in portraying the Generalissimo from Cavite. This includes immersion in the Aguinaldo’s house in Kawit, brushing up with lengthy reading materials and losing weight for the role.
“I lost 30 pounds for the scene where Emilio Aguinaldo and Goyo were fleeing from Pangasinan to Ilocos. That was a challenge.” Mon recalled the shoot.
In that scene Aguinaldo and his party were escaping from the pursuing Americans, for two months their food supplies dwindled.
DC: If you were Aguinaldo during the war, what would you have done differently from the real character you portrayed?
Mon: To be honest in the very long journey of making the two films (Heneral Luna and Goyo) I was able to absorb the character of Emilio Aguinaldo, I was able to understand him in a little way. Let us not forget it was the time of war, killings were common, it was matter of survival. If I were Aguinaldo I would not be perfect, I would still make the same decisions. For example in Heneral Luna, If I am the President and I see General Antonio Luna as a hindrance to my leadership and he has shown no courtesy and disrespected me, slapping my cabinet members I could also have him killed.
And between General Luna and del Pilar, I would understand why he chose Goyo because the boy general idolizes the President while Luna is a critic to his leadership. It is really hard to balance. To explain General Aguinaldo’s decisions there is a scene in the movie where Aguinaldo says “Kung ikaw nasa kalagayan ko sa gitna ng digmaan, sino ang pipiliin mo si Luna o Ako?”
DC: What was the difference between working with John Arcilla and Paulo Avelino, who portrayed your generals in the two movies?
Mon: They were both really good, they were both perfect in their roles John Arcilla as Antonio Luna and Paulo Avelino as Gregorio del Pilar. The two characters were very different. General Luna was loud, strong and straight-to-the-point. While del Pilar was quiet and young. We would describe the character of del Pilar as water and Luna as fire. Paulo was really fit for the role, Goyo was handsome and he has charisma with the ladies. I also like Goyo’s conflict with his conscience. For a time, he was confident, arrogant and relished his rank as a general at a young age but then he didn’t realize the big responsibility where the Filipino government would rely upon you for its very survival.
DC: How would you compare Heneral Luna and Goyo? How did it changed you as a person?
Mon: They were really great films. Before making the two films, I had little knowledge of history, Heneral Luna broadened and changed my perspective about Philippine history. Goyo is much larger in scope and Direk Jerrold Tarog’s approach to the film was different. Na-antig talaga pagka Filipino ko. I’ve watched Goyo ten times and everytime, I shed tears during the ending.
Goyo ang Batang Heneral is still being shown on movie theaters, please do watch the film perhaps one of the best Filipino movies in recent years.
The producers are offering student ticket prices at P150.