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Viewing the Past: Movie watchers’ take on Filipino Historical Films

Maria Joanna A. Luciño1 and Ina Mae B. Peñafuerte1

Asst. Prof. Jonalou Labor2

* ** ************* **** ******, Institute of Communication, CSJL

2 Faculty, Languages Area

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Colegio de San Juan de Letran

ABSTRACT

Two historical films namely El Presidente and Supremo are deemed to have brought contribution

to the better understanding of historical versions among Filipino film viewers. As store houses of

historical accounts, these films are necessary to be identified as motivators for a nation to use films as

tools to instruct a nation of its heroes and culture. Using the theory of Polysemy, th is study aimed to

identify the perceptions of students on the presentation of historical events. As a qualitative inquiry, this

study used data from focus interviews of the filmmakers in order to get cogitations on their motivations in

creating the film. Moreover, data from focus group discussion were taken from eighteen students who are

representatives of three collegiate schools in Metro Manila. Data gathered were laid down in tabulations,

schematized through a dendrogram and were validated through member cross-checking procedures.

Results of the interviews revealed three themes: iconic, cathartic, and iconic considerations in making

historical themes. Moreover, results of the FGD revealed that student viewers consider academic and

protagonistic stance in viewing historical films. Finally, when the students were able to watch the films,

they mentioned that the movies are just reinforcements of their previous perceptions of the heroes

featured in the film. In conclusion, films are mediums that effectively ca pture the attention of the viewers.

Furthermore, the student viewers perceived historical films as reinforcements of their past knowledge of

the heroes.

Keywords: Historical Films, Interpretation

Presentation and Publication:

2nd Likhang Arriba: Research Colloquia, Colegio de San Juan de Letran (February 3-5 2014)

Alay at Laya @ 150: National Historic Commission – Ateneo de Manila University (April 24-25 2014)

Title:

Philippine Cinema is dead? Call Indie for help

Subject:

Philippine Independent FIlm

Rationale:

Independent films are becoming popular. Many people are attending the annual Cinemalaya

Film Festival. Also, they are getting noticed and awarded overseas. Numerous articles on film

have said that Philippine cinema is dead or in a comatose state. The proponents are interested

to know if Independent film with their current state will uplift the comatose state of Philippine

Cinema.

Scope:

This report will tackle how film developed, how independent film came about, and in depth

look at how indie films are produced and its transition to its current state.

Investigative Hypothesis:

Whether Independent Film will uplift the comatose state of Philippine Cinema.

Nominee for Best Explanatory Report

Excellance 2013: First Class, Dusit Thani Hotel

Title: Sincerely, Anonymous

Subject: Letran Secret Files

Rationale:

Since March 2013, secret files of colleges like

University of the Philippines, De La Salle

University, Ateneo University started popping

out. In a few days, the page gets thousands of

likes. On November 27, 2013, Letran Secret Files

or LSF was created. Today, it has almost 6000

likes. The page publishes stories evolving around

misbehavior of students, the administration, the

faculty and even the staff.

Scope: This paper aims to discuss what motivates

the student to use the Letran Secret files as their

outlet and why they choose to express their

concerns and complaints there rather than with

the Student Council or the Office for Student

Affairs.

Also, this paper will discuss how is the Letran

community is affected by the LSF.

Investigative Hypothesis:

The students are motivated by the idea that they

will never be known.

Best Investigative Report

Excellance 2014: Glitz and Glam, Fairmont Hotel

Title:

Tug-of-War: Lions versus Knights

Subject:

Beda Letran Rivalry

Rationale:

In the NCAA, the famous rivalry of Colegio

de San Juan de Letran and San Beda College

senior basketball team has been going on

since they first come face to face during the

championship in the 1950’s. With them

meeting twice in the championship and

issues rising on imports, where is the rivalry

now?

Scope:

The report aims to explain how the rivalry

started and how it is now. This report will

include the views of the players of both

teams, the alumni and the current students of

both institutions.

Investigative Hypothesis:

The rivalry does not exist in court or within

the players but it can be more felt within the

audience.

Nominee for Best Explanatory Report

Excellance 2014: Glitz and Glam, Fairmont Hotel

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