Make tickets affordable so more can watch quality films like ‘GomBurZa’

“GomBurZa,” the movie, is a gift to the Filipino people. Not only it is educational, but it restores the soul of the people in their quest for dignity, self-worth, and freedom.

“Wala silang kasalanan!” cry the people indignantly, their protests of the priests’ execution reverberating through theaters, through history, and through our souls. The three were not—and have never been—criminals. They served the people, and for that, they became victims of the Spanish empire’s intolerance of liberal ideas, radical thoughts, and revolution.

The movie said it loud and clear: it is noble to stand for liberation for the people, to engage the powers-that-be with reason and genuine desire for people’s welfare and humanity, and to side with the oppressed. There is nothing shameful about being a freedom fighter, and nothing wrong with defending the cause of liberation of the oppressed. It is not a crime to articulate subversive ideas—but a crime did happen: suppressing the people and using the arm of the law to violently punish dissent. That is why people fight back.

The conversation between Fr. Mariano Gomes and Fr. Jose Burgos was inspiring.

“Tungkulin nating alagaan ang liwanag ng kanyang kabutihan. Dya’n natin iaalay ang ating buhay, Pepe. Nawa’y maging mitsa ng ating pagkamatay,” said Father Gomes.

“Para sa liwanag,” responded Father Burgos.

The priests were very confident that truth and light were on their side. It is their hope that their deaths will never be in vain.

The killings of the martyrs were unsettling. They would later spark a movement, a revolution against the colonizers and powers-that-be that collaborate with the state powers and forces who enslave and oppress people. Toward the end of the movie, we witness the rise of the Katipuneros. It is not surprising that the struggle of the Filipino people for emancipation, freedom, and national sovereignty continues in the face of feudal bondage and modern-day slavery—and that these stories from our history continually resonate with activists today.

In the current context, “GomBurZa,” the movie, is a definite discomfort to those who are promoting Red-tagging, espousing trumped-up charges, and twisting truth into lies. It warns against those who use the machination of the state to force people to bear false witness and march to their deaths.

The movie must be watched by every Filipino. When you see the movie, take one character that you can identify with, and ask a question, ”Will you do the same?”

Watching it is a good and worthy treat. However, it is high time for the government to really consider how good films can be accessible to the majority of Filipino people who cannot afford to go to the cinemas. The movie will cost P370 or 60 percent of the minimum wage. If a worker watches a movie, it would mean members of their family will miss a meal or would be unable to go to school on the day their parent would watch the movie.

The Filipino poor deserve excellent movies that ignite their desire for genuine change. Inaccessibility for this opportunity would place them again into the position of the underprivileged like the indios. The oppressed and miserable—for which the movies were supposedly created—become remote to them.

I hope there will be community, church-based, workplace, and school watch parties where there will be sharing and reflection afterward. After all, “GomBurZa” is not just a movie, it is a story and journey of the people that will always need to be told and retold.

Norma P. Dollaga, Kasimbayan

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