The student watched the film "Sigwa" which depicts the proclamation of martial law in the Philippines under former President Ferdinand Marcos. The film uses flashbacks to show the experiences of activists during the 1970s, who were hunted and tortured by the government for opposing martial law. While set in the past, the film also reflects on how experiences of betrayal can damage friendships. Overall, the student found the film to be an excellent portrayal of this period that provides lessons about being trustworthy to others.

1. Salas, Mark Wilson Sept. 24, 2010
History 1A (4:30-5:30)
Prof. Hamilton Rabaca
REACTION PAPER
(Film: Sigwa Directed by: Joel C. Lamangan, DGPI)
Last September 22, 2010 we’ve watched a film which was entitled SIGWA at the
CAP auditorium.
At first, I could not understand because it starts with violence, so I got confuse on
what the movie is all about. As the movie goes on, I slowly understand that the film is all
about the proclamation of R.A. 1801 or the Martial Law on which the former president
Ferdinand Marcos signed. The film was more on flashbacks and most of the characters
tells what they’ve experienced way back 1970’s. The actors/actresses were excellent on
how they portray their roles because it’s like that their putting their self on the character
meaning they act normally as if it’s real or true to life. And base on the story as what I
have observed, being an activist was a hard thing. After the proclamation of the Martial
Law, the government treated the activists as their enemy and they were being hunted
and killed in the way of torturing them. And way back to their present time, we all know
that it is normal to us the situation like our friend/s traitor us for their common good or
for their safety, in this situation, it is hard for us to forgive them though in some way we
forgive them but, the friendship was never before. And also lying is very much normal to
us nowadays. It’s good to know that, after what happened in the past, our friends are
still the same the way we first met them though there are some changes in physical
appearances, but the memory stays as what it was.
As a whole, the film was excellent and it gives some ideas to us students that on
what happened during the proclamation of Martial Law. And it gives lessons that we
must be true to others for them to trust us.