History, it smells like home to me. Last December, I tried one of my long overdue goal, to watch a movie alone. It’s no secret that everyone is so curious of these kinds of movies since HENERAL LUNA in 2015. It’s December that time, of course a lot of people is flocking the malls, buying gifts, eating with the family and of course, its MMFF’s season. So I gave all my remaining confidence to go and watch this amazing movie, and I could say it was all worth it. Here are some of my takeaways that you may want to read?
GomBurZa, some fondly say MaJoHa, was mostly known as the three martyr priest who has been killed during the Spanish occupation through public execution by garrote.
Padre Mariano Gomes, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora was a highly respected secular and parish priest during their time. Padre Gomez in Cavite, Padre Burgos in Manila and Padre Jacinto in Marikina. They have something in common when it comes to fighting the rights of secular priest, that is why it is common for them to be linked to Filipino uprise against the Spanish government.
In this film, it shows the depth of how Gomburza is not just your ordinary “die to became a hero” type of history. The movie was so brave to show how dark is it during their times, how unfair and how selfish our invaders are. The GomBurZa are not a Filipino decent, they are “Creoles”, those who were born in the Philippines with Spanish parents. The three priest who have the invaders blood but with a heart for their country. The movie also shown how powerful the Church are. All over the world, the Philippines is known to be having the highest numbers of Catholic/Christian, and it started way back to the Spanish era, which being a priest is the most in demand and respected profession. With the case of Gomburza, they are fighting for the rights to give chances to secular priest to handle town churches. This was started by Apolinario Dela Cruz and was continued by Padre Pedro Pelaez, who’s heading Manila Cathedral that time, with him is his most loyal right hand, Padre Jose Burgos whom later on will become a professor in UST and one of his student will be Paciano Rizal (Jose Rizal, our National Hero’s older brother).
During that time, the Philippines has been lead by a Governor General, who stands as the representative of the monarchy from Spain. During the failed Cavity Mutiny in 1872, the Philippines was under the rule of Rafael Gerónimo Cayetano Izquierdo. He was known to be pro Spaniards and are against human nor equal rights. As the failed mutiny was exposed, one Filipino businessman named, Fransciso Zaldua has named the 3 priest as the brain of the plan attack. He said that the 3 priest lead the soldiers to turn their back to the Spanish Government, which is a very big sin to that time. They were tagged as “Pilibustero” or against the state. The three priest has faced court nor we can say, a puppet trial. Later on, they were convicted as guilty to the failed mutiny and were charged to be executed through “garrote”.
The film is so informative and so realistic, Padre Burgos, who are played by Cedric Juan won the MMFF Best Actor for the said role, has been the crowd’s favorite as he have questioned the decision and are claiming his innocence until his very last breathe. It was so emotional, as the first two before him has face the death in different perspective. Padre Jacinto has lost his mind, are just looking at one direction. It seems like he didn’t expected that the simple gambling words will put him to death. The most calm of them, Padre Gomez has been quiet throughout the situation as has accepted his faith earlier than the two. Padre Burgos cries as he can’t accept that this is his end but finally calm down accepted that this will end against his will. The story of the 3 priest was has lighten up the fire of freedom to the next generation especially to Paciano’s younger brother, Jose Rizal who dedicated his novel, “El Filibusterismo” to the martyr whom ironically will also be executed through firing squad with the very same reason and accusation, leading a rebellion.
Just like Mallari, this movie has less cinemas compares to others but was able to bounce up to 140 cinemas all over the country which was from the request of casual viewers. But after winning big on MMFF Awards Night and positive reviews, this movie was still shown cinemas until now. The great takeaways from this? People are looking forward for more movies like this. Real and backed up with facts.
I am so satisfied and are recommending the movie ever since I watched it. I am so excited to see more historical and local films. Way to go, Philippine Cinema.
