PHILIPPINE HISTORY

JOJO M. LUCION

II-BSED

REACTION PAPER

“SAKAY”

Summary

The movie was about the independence fighters during the American War that was led
by a man named Macario Sakay. Until today, there have been many misconceptions
whether this insurgence was truly patriotic or merely a bandit’s doing. This movie
emphasizes that the movement was truly a revolution and not just banditry.

Macario Sakay was a former revolutionary leader under the Katipunan. He was actually
a leader of the Dapitan chapter for the Katipunan. He fought relentlessly even if their
leader, Emilio Aguinaldo already surrendered to the Americans. He was then captured
but then freed later on. But Macario Sakay was a man who stood for freedom. He was
not able to bear the thought that the Philippines would be under foreign rule yet again.
He felt that everything they fought for would be for naught if he did not do anything
about it. After months or years, he would again take up arms and establish the so-
called Tagalog Republic.

The remaining revolutionary leaders who still were fighting for freedom in different
regions Luzon recognized the Tagalog Republic. They all combined their powers in order
to come up with a strong uprising against the Americans. They planned out to dress up
as contabularyos, who were Filipinos who worked for the Americans, to infiltrate the
American bases and steal their weaponry. They were successful at one point but then
again the Americans noticed their activities. As their counterattack, the Americans
relocated all the barrios that were supportive of the revolutionaries in one place. In
doing so, the revolutionaries began to starve.

The end of the Tagalog Republic is one that is truly remorseful. It is deceit or treachery
working as its finest. Mr Gomez, a Filipino citizen, sold the Revolutionaries to the
American government. They were promised of pardon once they surrendered
themselves.
On the understanding that the government had offered amnesty, Sakay and his officers
come down from the mountains. However, Invited to a reception in town, they are
arrested by the government. They are tried and convicted for brigandage. Sakay and
Colonel Lucio de Vega are hanged, while Montalan and others receive life
imprisonment.

Reactions

Sakay is a Historical Filipino movie. It was a great movie like any other
movies shown. Macario Sakay was a great patriot, unfairly pushed through
the dustbin of oblivion by the American conquerors. He deserves a better
place in Philippine History and the burning flames of his desire for true
independence for his county is still relevant to this day. I hope we can still
watch more movies about the patriotic heroes so that many of us would
remember them.

Recommendations

This movie would definitely worth watching especially to the people or students
who study about our history. We can learn the importance of our Independence
from various colonizers. It also shows the patriotic acts of a Filipino to fight our
Liberty. Young generations should also watch this historical movie to enrich
their knowledge and understanding about our Independence. Sakay was one of
our heroes who had courage and spirit to fight our Liberty. We should value our
liberty today because of heroic acts of our heroes. The “SAKAY” movie should
be recommended to all students from primary, secondary and collage that have
Philippine History.