El Presidente is a 2012 biopic film
based on the life of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the
Philippine Republic. It shows that he was used to be a general, a politician
and a revolutionary leader who lived a long, grim and gainful life from the
time of the Philippine’s revolution against the Spanish colonial rule to the American
and Japanese. The story touches the revolutionary encounters, as well as the
many issues that took place during Aguinaldo’s time. It also explores his inner
struggles as husband, war leader and politician.
The film made
me very proud to be a Filipino and thankful on the bravery of the people who
fought for the freedom of our country especially Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy who
played an important part on it. I can say that he was a good leader and a very
brave man. He was so unselfish and modest. He was ready to die in a battle just
to fight for our independence. It takes a lot of courage to all the things he has
done for the Philippines. He had shown his love for our dearest country until
he died. Since I was grade school, I only knew him as the first president of
the Republic of the Philippines and the man in the old five peso bill but after
watching the El Presidente I gain a deeper knowledge about Aguinaldo’s life and
the other Filipino heroes such as Andres Bonifacio, Gregorio Del Pilar and
Antonio Luna. I didn’t imagine that many Filipinos shed their blood in order to
free the Philippines from the occupation of other countries. I also clearly
understand some of the significant events that happen during that time. I hope
we will not forget to recognize these people who fought for our independence.
