Hi Prof Jorge,
Submitting my J. Campbell's Movie Synopsis & My Life Story...here it goes...
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HENERAL LUNA - J. Campbell Movie Synopsis & My Life Story
by Leader Analee Choco y de Jesus
HERO: Heneral Antonio Luna de San Pedro y Novicio Ancheta
(29 October 1866 – 5 June 1899), an Ilocano born in Manila, was a Filipino general who fought in the Philippine–American War. He is a Spanish-educated scientist-turned-soldier who was murdered by his rivals when he was just 32 years old, despite being regarded as the most brilliant of the Filipino military officers during the war.
Movie Synopsis: The film begins Hen. Luna recalling his rise to power - the recollections visualized as a long flashback - while he then gets to witness the general in action, during his final battles against foreign forces and then adversaries within his own ranks. He started out advocating political reforms rather than outright revolution. The film begins in 1898, when he has already delved headlong into the armed struggle and is the commander of the Philippine Republican Army. By then, the U.S. military have already defeated Spanish colonialists and readying themselves to annex the Asian archipelago, and Luna is busy steering the independence movement towards a direct confrontation with a superpower aiming to gain a toehold in Asia.
His boldness contrasts sharply with the meek, reconciliatory voices which dominate the movement. While Heneral Luna is constantly at feud with the former colonial-era political party lists who have reinvented themselves as pro-independence leaders. Luna's biggest adversary was actually the movement's leader Emilio Aguinaldo. While Luna is shown living and working alongside his soldiers and talks his talk of the need to put country before family and everything else, Aguinaldo operates behind a neat desk - an indecisive man under the sway of his backers, his cronies and even his mother. Luna's demise was very much predestined, in which a warrior defies his double-dealing detractors, rages against the dying light and lurches towards a grisly end.
The Stages of a Hero's Journey
· The Hero is introduced in his Ordinary World.
Antonio Luna, who has always been known as a gifted military strategist, capable of leading an army composed of farmers plucked out of nowhere to victory against both Spanish and American foes. As ferocious leader of a seemingly hopeless army, he is rabid and stern. As a comrade to his trusted lieutenants, he is unpredictably hilarious. As a son to a devoted mother, he is heartbreakingly dear, echoing the same sentiments he has for his family as if it were for his motherland. He would do everything for the country whatever it takes, just for the love of the country and his countrymen.
Learning: Leaders are born. Leaders are made. Leaders are situational. Heneral Luna is all that. He was destined to be a leader. Great leaders possess social intelligence, a zest for change, and above all, a vision that allows them to set their sights on the "things" that truly merit attention. Luna was not afraid to express his self, he is self-aware. He was a self-made hero who gave nothing but compassion to his countrymen whatever it takes. Though Luna is cruel, abusive and arrogant, his focus was not be loved by many but he want change, and that is freedom for his own country.
Self-awareness is having a clear understanding of your personality, including strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation, and emotions. Self- awareness allows you to understand other people, how they perceive you, your attitude and your responses to them in the moment. There came a point in my life where I lose focus and almost derailed life's goal. I succumb to life's shallow offering of material things, enjoyed life anyway I liked it and never thought about saving up for the future in my early days as an OFW. Emotional intelligence during bad times and openness to change was the key to self-leadership that I needed to be able to move forward.
· THE CALL TO ADVENTURE.
Heneral Antonio Luna and Heneral Jose Alejandrino want indepencence for the Philippines. President Emilio Aguinaldo together with his Prime Minister Apolinario Mabini and his cabinet members are debating the issue of the American presence in the country. Felipe Buencamino and Pedro Paterno support the American occupation while Luna and Alejandrino opposes the idea. The Americans have invaded key cities in Manila, despite Luna's attempt to do pre-emptive strike for the coming of the American troops.
Learning: The wake up call. Business or freedom, country or family. It's a choice. Most of the times, we came to a point where we are torn of extreme choices. We are afraid to leave the comfort and the convenience behind us. We all know change is inevitable. Some turn their backs in the midst of transformation. Great leaders envision change as a sort of new opportunities that ignites growth.
True enough for myself, when I almost lose my job due to the global financial crisis, I didn't look at it as a barrier but an opportunity to do better and make myself more valuable. We should embrace the idea that we can make things happen and create the change that we believe in. Sometimes you might go so far as to call it denial. It's a pretty limiting and unrealistic way to look at the world. We tend to miss a lot of opportunities for improvement, success, happiness, and truth. I prefer to put my best foot forward and look at change as a positive calling with open eyes.
· REFUSAL OF THE CALL.
Heneral Antonio Luna at one point filed his resignation, knowing that two cabinet members whom he asked to be arrested due to their acceptance of the American proposal for the Philippine autonomy had been set free. Aguinaldo refuses to accept his resignation, but agrees to let Luna establish a headquarters for the Philippine Army in the north. He also questioned the reality of life. "Ganito ba talaga ang tadhana natin? Kalaban ang kalaban. Kalaban ang kakampi. Nakakapagod".
Learning: This is where the hero attempts to refuse the adventure because he is afraid of something. When I was offered a post in Shanghai, I was reluctant at first, afraid of the thought that it was not my comfort zone and I don't speak Mandarin. The negative impressions for the Chinese mainland were also a concern in the beginning. To quote Dalai Lama on being negative, "See the positive side, the potential and make an effort". That's what I did. Instead of turning back, I welcome the call and start from there.
· MEETING WITH THE MENTOR.
As son to a devoted mother, he is heartbreakingly dear, echoing the same sentiments he has for his family as if it were for his motherland. Though he was stubborn as a man, he has high regard and respect to his mother, his mentor who developed him from childhood to a man he is.
Learning: This is where the hero encounters someone who can give advice and ready him for the journey ahead. I got two mentors in my life. Our dear Lord and my life experiences. We all believe in the power of prayers. Whenever you need something or you have no one to turn to, it is Him who we ask for help. As the bible says, Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. This is exactly what I did when one of my defining moments happened. Realizing that good things happen to those who persevere and seek help, I open my heart to Him and welcome all the changes that are bound to happen.
· CROSSING THE THRESHOLD.
Heneral Luna's lover, Isabel, turns out to be audacious and patriotic. After Luna's laments in bed about war being "a cross I have to bear," Isabel — who also happens to be a leader of the local Red Cross chapter — ends their relationship, proclaiming their respective public duties as more important than their clandestine affair.
Learning: "The best kind of change comes when you envision, initiate and control it. That type of change creates opportunities transforms oneself and ignites growth." These were the things lingering in my mind when I was posted in Shanghai. Despite all the apprehensions and uncertainties of the upcoming challenge, I still crossed the threshold for a new adventure of learning.
· TESTS, ALLIES, ENEMIES.
Luna and his trusted comrades – General Alejandrino, Colonel Paco Roman, Captain Rusca, Captain Bernal and Colonel Manuel Bernal – embark on an arduous campaign against the invading American forces. During an intense battle against American troops led by General Arthur McArthur., Luna asked for reinforcements from the Kawit Battalion but its commander, Captain Pedro Janolino refuses to comply because the order did not come from President Aguinaldo. Luna then assembles an army of 4,000 soldiers by declaring his infamous "Artikulo Uno".
Learning: Living in a society different from yours, befriend people from different culture, accepting weaknesses of others as well as your own flaws, living alone with no one to talk to after work, celebrating Chinese New Year alone, going to malls on weekends and having lunch all by myself, these are the tests of strength of will that I needed to endure before I was able to meet new friends and allies. Looking back at those times of my life, l learned that those hardships helped me to be a better version of myself. I learned that good leaders are more tolerant of ambiguity and remain calm in times of stressful situations, composed and steadfast to the main purpose. Storms, emotions and crises come and go and a good leader takes these as part of the journey and keeps looking forward and positively.
· APPROACH.
Heneral Luna was summoned by a telegram to the President's headquarters in Cabanatuan. Although his officers are suspicious, Luna rides to Cabanatuan, bringing only two officers with him. Most of the soldiers had already left headquarters under President Aguinaldo's orders, with the exception of some elements of the Kawit Battalion. Luna discovers upon arrival that Aguinaldo had already left and only Buencamino remains in the office.
Learning: When your back is against the wall, that's when the time you will learn to fight against all life challenges.
· THE ORDEAL and death.
As Heneral Luna and Buencamino engaged in heated arguments, a single shot is fired outside the Cabanatuan headquarters. Luna investigates and encounters Captain Janolino and his men, who attack him. Luna is shot, stabbed, and hacked repeatedly to death. Román is also killed while a wounded Rusca surrenders to the Kawit soldiers. All of Luna's remaining loyal officers are arrested, while some are killed, including the Bernal brothers.
Learning: When my father died, I felt that something inside me was left in pain. The pain of losing someone dear to you is really devastating especially when that person is your strength. But we need to understand that it's the reality of life. We have to accept changes and true leadership is about coping with change as what I read in "What Leaders Really Do". Resistance to change does not reflect opposition, nor is it merely a result of inertia. Instead even as they hold a sincere commitment to change, many people are unwittingly applying productive energy toward a hidden competing commitment. And what commitment? It's my commitment to continue life to take care of my mother and to continue life to be the best that I can be.
· THE REWARD.
As ordered by Aguinaldo, Luna and Roman are buried with full military honors, ironically by the same men who killed them.
Learning: After surviving life's challenges, when one door closes, the other one will open for you. This is what happened when I almost lose my job, I learned to save for the future, learned to invest and learned to be ready for more challenges that life would give me.
· THE RESSURECTION.
While American newspapers quickly blame Aguinaldo for the death of Heneral Luna, Aguinaldo denies his involvement on the assassination; instead he acknowledged Antonio Luna as his most brilliant and most capable general. Otis and MacArthur acknowledged Luna as a worthy adversary, and the only real general Filipinos had.
Learning: After staying seven years outside of the Philippines, I was able to collect a lot of experiences, a lot of trials and a lot of memories. Those experiences, bad or good ones taught me the real essence of life as a person and as a leader as well. As what I read from "What Makes A Leader" article, it says that "Effective leaders are alike in one crucial way: they all have a high degree of Emotional Intelligence". Let me share to you the Five components of Emotional Intelligence at Work in relation to myself.
· Self-Awareness – it's the ability to recognize and understand your moods, emotions and drives as well as their effect on others. Knowing your self as what Enneagram tells us, we learn how to control ourselves and how to handle our association with others. If we know ourselves, we know what to expect, what to let go and what to react in certain situations.
· Self-Regulation – it's the ability to control or redirect disruptive impulses and moods. Again, what Enneagram tells us about ourselves, it taught us to think before we react.
· Motivation – this is a passion to work for reasons that go beyond money or status. All the negative things happened to my life taught me to be stronger, gave me the drive to achieve as well as the optimism even in the face of failure.
· Empathy – this is the ability to understand the emotional makeup of other people. It is also a skill in treating people according to their emotional reactions. Being able to withstand other people different from you in culture and other factors, I learned to accept cross-cultural sensitivity.
· Social Skill – it's the proficiency in managing relationships and building networks. This is also an ability to find common ground and build rapport. Being a leader taught me to be patient and persuasive at the same time. I tried to build personal relationship with my colleagues with a purpose. Social skill is friendliness with a purpose: its moving people in the direction you desire. I encouraged people to speak more openly by not judging them. I welcome complaints and treat it as constructive than destructive concerns.
· RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR.
"Business or freedom, country or family" was the remarkable words Heneral Luna gave great interest for the movie. Though Luna was been assassinated, he gave great learning and wisdom to the Filipino people. He truly exemplifies a true hero not by being a role model but having the compassion and great love for the country. He doesn't care about the standards, if the people will love him or hate him, but what he really want is the strong hold on his ideals. He also stressed out that our enemies bigger than the enemies are ourselves, which is true.
Learning: Being a leader now gave me a tough task to do. Not just work wise but learning to guide my colleagues the best way I could. It is my responsibility to give them directions with integrity and provide them the learning that will help them achieve their life's goals. As what we learned from the Jesuits, we are all leaders. You don't need to have hundreds of people following you to be called a leader. Corporate leadership is no different from self-leadership. Self-leadership is the most important competency for leaders to be successful. Self-leaders utilize strategies or rituals to align their intentions and actions to achieve success through creativity and innovation. Knowing all of these things, leading people would now be a commitment. A commitment I need to make better not just for myself alone but to others as well. This MBA program would help me understand more of myself, make better for my colleagues, aspire more and continue my journey for a heroic leadership.
My references: Wikipedia, Rappler, Heroic Leadership by Chris Lowney, Enneagram, Forbes Magazine, Youtube, What Makes A Leader by Daniel Goleman, Harvard Business Review.
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