Amigo - From Philippine-American War

This is the only historical drama film that depicts the Philippine-American era which shaped our history at the turn of the 19th century. After Spain secede the Philippine Islands, the Filipinos were once again subjected to another foreign occupation by the Americans. The Filipinos initially thought the Americans would help deliver them from the 400 year abuse of the Spaniards. However, upon setting foot on the country, the Americans decided to stay colonizing the country again for another 40 years. Being likened to a bad ninong/godfather, it is a love-hate relationship that had started and transpired between the two countries as early as the outbreak of the Philippine-American war. Presumably, this relationship is still visible to date. Aside from showing Filipino resilience and patriotism, this film gives us an insight of how the Americans and Filipinos forged a relationship despite being at war with each other for a time.

Set in 1900, the citizens of the agricultural town of San Isidro in Luzon led by the cabeza del barrio, Rafael Dacanay (Joel Torre) enjoy a quiet afternoon performing their daily routines. Some farmers patiently till the soil while other women busily pound rice stalks; a normal job in barrios. Seen also is Rafael's wife, a devout Catholic taking time to confess her sins committed that day to the imprisoned Spanish friar when all of a sudden, an American regiment raided their town. Led by Colonel Hardacre (Academy Award winner, Chris Cooper) they searched for revolutionists wherein Rafael's son, Juaquinito and a fellow revolutionist (Bembol Roco) narrowly escaped death. In the town square, the subdued townsfolk were to coerced to tell who their cabeza del barrio is. By then, the freed Spanish friar, Fr. Hidalgo (Yul Vasquez) who is also fluent in English pointed to Rafael Dacanay as their cabeza and brother to the captain of local guerillas, Simon (Ronnie Lazaro). Rafael then introduced himself to Lt. Compton (Garret Dillahunt) as amigo, "Soy mun, Amigo." From then on he was called Amigo, the man in charge and accountable of all the affairs of San Isidro.

Garrisoned in San Isidro, Lt. Compton and his group of young men try to win the minds and hearts of its residents while serving the orders of their superior, Col. Hardacre. There were times when the Americans had put pressure on the Filipinos namely when they killed the buffaloes with the idea of preventing the people to transport goods to the revolutionists, when they set guard posts and perimeters that determine how far the people can only go, and lastly, when Lt. Compton particularly ordered Amigo, also a vast rice plantation owner, to plow the fields as well like the other farmers.

Despite the hostilities of war outside the town, the Americans and Filipinos developed a connection. The Americans promised protection for the people and had let them go about their normal lives. Under Lt. Compton's benevolent supervision, the barrio experienced an election of cabeza where the men unanimously voted for Rafael. The election was the townspeople's first taste of democracy which Lt. Compton referred to as the will of the people. In one scene, the young American soldiers talked about their appreciation of Filipina beauty and liquor. It is also hard not to notice Peterson's (Dane DeHaan) admiration and subtle wooing of a timid Filipina girl. Despite language barrier, the two expressed their genuine appreciation of each other's striking beauty with foreign banters and sign languages. Moreover, after a hard day's labor of both the Filipinos and Americans after building a hut for a quarantined old lady, Lt. Compton could not help but notice how the Filipinos still manage to smile which he mentioned as not such a bad thing.

The townspeople were even allowed to celebrate their annual barrio fiesta in honor of San Isidro, the patron saint of the laborers. Both group shared merrymaking, cockfighting or sabong, and dined altogether the food and alcoholic drinks that the Filipinos had prepared. Unbeknownst to everyone, the local guerrillas successfully launched an attack that same week on the supply train of the Americans in another station. An enraged Col. Hardacre roused the townspeople a day after the fiesta then reprimanded Lt. Compton for partying and befriending the natives. This incident pushed Lt. Compton and his men to shift their treatment of the Filipinos to enemies again. Amigo, being a brother to a revolutionist was therefore considered a spy, blamed of the aforementioned incident, and tortured to reveal the guerrillas' location.

In the movie, Rafael tries his best to lead his people under increasingly difficult circumstances. However, no matter what he does his fate is still appears to be leading him to his ultimate doom. Obeying the Americans branded Amigo as a traitor to the revolutionary cause, and almost got him assassinated by a fellow Filipino. On the other hands, spying for the guerrillas would instantly have him executed by the Americans. He struck the middle ground by focusing on his townspeople's needs during these perilous times. Unfortunately, it still did not save him.

After leading around in circles the American regiment en route to capture the revolutionists, the group was ambushed by the latter. "Damn, damn, damn the Filipinos!", the Americans merrily sing shortly before their ambush. With three American soldiers dead and Peterson becoming partly paralyzed from sustained gunshot on the hip, Amigo was incarcerated, and soon after sentenced to death.

In an unfortunate turn of events, what could have saved Amigo's life even to the last minute was sabotaged by his own son, Juaquinito. Juaquinito's saboteur by cutting the communication wire whilst Sta. Clara's American station was sending message of President Aguinaldo's surrender and amnesty for enemies to San Isidro ultimately ended his father's life.

Instead of letting Amigo suffer a painful death from hanging, Lt. Compton swiftly ended Rafael's life by shooting him point blank. The screams of Rafael's wife reverberated behind. Six months later after Amigo's death, his son Juaquinito and the remaining revolutionists surrendered themselves to the Americans and received 30 Mexican coins each in exchange for their Mauser rifles.

The squad shortly before their ambush singing, "Damn, damn, damn the Filipinos."