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Review: ‘Goyo: The Boy General’ Examines a Philippine Hero

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By Ken Jaworowski

• Sept. 20, 2018

The heat only makes the hero more suave in “Goyo: The Boy General,” a serviceable biopic centering on Gregorio del Pilar, who fought United States forces during the Philippine-American War.

The film, the second in a planned trilogy about that conflict ( “Heneral Luna,” the first, was released in 2015), follows Goyo (Paulo Avelino), as del Pilar was known, as he matures from woman-chaser to resolute leader. Even at two-and-a-half hours there’s a lot of skimming over details and more than a little grandstanding, as well as numerous languid shots of the dashing 24-year-old general and his swooning devotees. “He leaves a heartbroken girl in every town,” one admirer helpfully informs another.

Given the straightforward script, Mr. Avelino’s performance is as understated as perhaps possible, while Gwen Zamora, as del Pilar’s main love interest, Remedios, helps generate some romantic tension as the final fight approaches. That extended, well-staged recreation of the 1899 Battle of Tirad Pass wraps things up on an especially strong note as enemies attack, bullets whiz by and del Pilar finds his courage.

Jerrold Tarog, the director, follows the same game plan as he did in “Heneral Luna,” with sweeping music and proud speeches (he wrote the script with Rody Vera). There are also some nice images of the lush Philippine countryside and of del Pilar’s troops. For sure, there’s quite a bit of prettiness here. In this war, apparently, it was just as important to look good as to fight well.

Not rated. In Filipino, Tagalog, English and Spanish, with English subtitles. Running time: 2 hours 35 minutes.

Film Review: Goyo: The Boy General (2018) by Jerrold Tarog

Considering the critical and commercial success of “Heneral Luna”, a sequel was bound to happen at some point, with Jerrold Targo deciding to focus on Gregorio del Pilar (aka Goyo) a young general who also played a crucial role in the Philippine-American war. Furthermore, since the character was already present in the prequel, he decided to cast the same actor for the role, Paulo Avelino , thus adding to the continuity of the two movies.

The story begins immediately after the events of the first film, essentially the next day, where we find Goyo being tasked by President Emilio Aguinaldo with hunting down Luna’s loyalists in the Philippine Revolutionary Army. His search is a success, although the schism within the Filipino army, following the murder of Luna, is evident. The result, however, is that Goyo is promoted to Major-General of the army in Pangasinan. From this point on, the movie is split into two parts, with one focusing on the relatively peaceful time Goyo spend in Bulanca, along with his unit, which includes his older brother Julian, newly assigned photographer Joven Hernando (who also functions as the narrator of the movie), and his best friend Vicente Enriquez. The second part starts with Goyo and his forces marching through the mountains of the Cordilleras, including a number of skirmishes with the Americans.

Evidently, “Goyo” screams epic with the job done in the costumes, settings, battles and locations being top notch, and Pong Ignacio’s cinematography capturing all in gusto, through the mostly sepia tones that dominate the movie. Furthermore, the fact that Goyo is a young man allowed Tarog to include another audience-favorite element, as the first part revolves around the way young women act as groupies of the young general, as much as his romance with Remedios, the daughter of Don Mariano Nable Jose, thus adding an element that was definitely missing from “Luna”. In that regard, Gwen Zamora beauty and charisma in the role definitely adds much to the entertainment the film offers.

At the same time, the despicability of the politicians and the lack of organization of the Filipino army are added, this time, to the feud between Luna’s former and Goyo’s current forces, in a series of issues the Americans exploited time and time again, form another of the bases of the narrative here, in probably its most interesting aspect. Particularly the march through the mountains highlights these issues quite intently, essentially being the main source of drama in the movie. Furthermore, the presence of Joven Hernando as narrator, through his writing in his diary, works quite well for the movie, filling some gaps and also adding a very pleasant “art” element to its crowd-pleasing nature. Lastly, Goyo’s death is probably the most shocking scene of the whole movie, since its suddenness finally induces it with a very welcome sense of realism regarding the blights of war.

On the other hand, the issues here are definitely more than in its predecessor. To begin with, the romantic aspect and the effort to show how handsome Goyo is ends up being annoying in its duration after a point, particularly in a film that is 155 minutes long. Furthermore, the character and the events that surround him are not as interesting (or at least not as interestingly presented) as Luna’s, while Paulo Avelino, although handsome, is definitely not on the same level in acting as Arcilla, whose energy truly filled the screen. Probably this time Tarog aimed at attracting younger audiences, considering the nature of the film, but the goal definitely had an impact on the overall quality of the movie.

In the end, “ Goyo: The Boy General ” ends up being an imbalanced film, with the second part being much better than the first, to the point that the former could have been restricted to just a few scenes. The battles and the production values save a film that will probably appeal to fans of epic war movies, but the comparison with its predecessor definitely leaves this one on the losing side.

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About the author.

Panos Kotzathanasis

Panagiotis (Panos) Kotzathanasis is a film critic and reviewer, specialized in Asian Cinema. He is the owner and administrator of Asian Movie Pulse, one of the biggest portals dealing with Asian cinema. He is a frequent writer in Hancinema, Taste of Cinema, and his texts can be found in a number of other publications including SIRP in Estonia, Film.sk in Slovakia, Asian Dialogue in the UK, Cinefil in Japan and Filmbuff in India.

Since 2019, he cooperates with Thessaloniki Cinematheque in Greece, curating various tributes to Asian cinema. He has participated, with video recordings and text, on a number of Asian movie releases, for Spectrum, Dekanalog and Error 4444. He has taken part as an expert on the Erasmus+ program, “Asian Cinema Education”, on the Asian Cinema Education International Journalism and Film Criticism Course.

Apart from a member of FIPRESCI and the Greek Cinema Critics Association, he is also a member of NETPAC, the Hellenic Film Academy and the Online Film Critics Association.

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Goyo: The Boy General Reviews

The battles and the production values save an imbalanced film that will probably appeal to fans of epic war movies, but the comparison with its predecessor definitely leaves this one on the losing side.

Full Review | Original Score: 5 | Apr 23, 2023

Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral is rich and elegant work

Full Review | Jul 17, 2019

...it's painfully cliché. Del Pilar is portrayed as a heroic, righteous figure who's admired by almost everyone, especially attractive single women.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/10 | Mar 27, 2019

Goyo: The Boy General offers American audiences a puzzling, inconstant vision of the past.

Full Review | Sep 20, 2018

A serviceable biopic centering on Gregorio del Pilar, who fought United States forces during the Philippine-American War.

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GOYO: THE BOY GENERAL Provides a Youthful and Naive Lens to the Heavy Consequences of War 5 min read

The story of Gregorio ‘Goyo’ del Pilar, one of the youngest Generals during the Philippine-American War who fought in the historic Battle of Tirad Pass.

Directors: Jerrold Tarog

Cast: Paulo Avelino, Carlo Aquino, Arron Villaflor, Mon Confiado

Country: Philippines

Language: Filipino

Runtime: 155 minutes

Three years after Heneral Luna (2015), Goyo: The Boy General (2018) picks up where its prequel ends: the day after General Luna’s much contested assasination. There are a few familiar characters from the previous movie ( check out our review of Heneral Luna ! ), such as the misguided President and his trusty advisor who has turned against him. 

And this time, the titular character here is General Gregorio del PIlar, played by Paulo Avelino. Young, handsome, and suave, General Gregorio – or more informally, Goyo – is leading his best life charming women with his looks and status everywhere he goes. War has come to a halt and life is good.

Watching both movies back to back, what stood out the most was the mood change from the fierce internal conflicts and heavy bloodshed in Heneral Luna to the romantic endeavours and lively celebrations in Goyo . Unlike his predecessor, General Goyo is not a chest-beating patriot who pledges his life to his country and would dive headfirst into war for the sake of honour. 

Acting a role almost 10 years younger than his actual age, lead Paulo Avelino still manages to convey a naive, youthful charm with his disarming smile. Pitted against the loud and commanding General Luna, whose death still influences division in troops, General Goyo initially comes across as a weak stand-in, one who winks at swooning ladies and is almost undeserving of an eponymous movie. 

For a supposed war film, much of the film is about the general’s romantic pursuits and his commanders are equally involved in frivolous entertainment. Having appeared in Heneral Luna , a familiar (but slightly redundant) young journalist ends up shadowing General Goyo and his troops, responding and reminding politely when invited to choose a girl, “We’re at war, Colonel.” 

Without many historical events referenced, the emphasis of the general and his playing-hard-to-get crush slows the film down a lot. Where is the war? The light-heartedness and fun threatens to dismiss the sobriety of war which Heneral Luna has laid the ground for.

But as the story progresses (slowly… but surely), we begin to realise that we are forced to take in General Gregorio’s naive perspective and sit through his complacency, which reveals themselves to teach him a hard lesson later. General Gregorio isn’t General Luna, who has years of experience under his belt and knows exactly what he’s doing. 

General Gregorio is nicknamed the boy general, but is also simply a boy. A boy who yearns for the childish pleasures in life. A boy who struggles with his own sense of right and wrong. A boy who fears death as much as anyone does. 

Instead of a film about war and history, Goyo is more inclined towards charting the growth of a young boy who has to mature quickly because of the circumstances of war. Using repeated scenes and tropes liberally to portray General Gregorio’s internal conflicts, the movie gives some depth to the otherwise unreadable and shallow general. Showcasing Goyo’s fears and trauma, the movie is more abstract and less didactic than Heneral Luna , leaving the audience to form their own judgement. 

If Heneral Luna is impressive for its never-before-done, large scale production of a Filipino historical movie, Goyo pushes it to another level. With more soldiers, more locations, and the setting of difficult mountain-top plains, the budget of Goyo is ostensibly higher ( almost three times that of Heneral Luna! ) and that truly pays off in the final fighting scenes. Engaging in warfare, tactics, and mind games, the last segment of Goyo finally indulges war film fans with its full on battles. 

But perhaps, in trying to outdo Heneral Luna and impress with its spectacle, Goyo seems to lose sight of its main protagonist. General Gregorio is mostly cast aside during the climactic confrontation between the Americans and the Filipinos, alongside other loose ends of the plot. 

Goyo fluctuates between telling the personal tale of a questionable hero against the backdrop of war and pushing for a large-scale representation of one of the turning points in Philippine war history. But by parallelling internal struggles with external fighting, Goyo seeks to question morality and patriotism from the nuanced perspective of a figure with less experience in life and in war. With General Gregorio, we see a more relatable figure who makes mistakes and shows weakness. And unlike the average youth, he has to pay a heavier price for them. 

Goyo: the Boy General is available on Netflix, but remember to check out Heneral Luna first to gain a clearer understanding if you’re going in without prior knowledge. Here’s the trailer for Goyo :

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Goyo: The Boy General

The story of Gregorio 'Goyo' del Pilar, one of the youngest Generals during the Philippine-American War who fought in the historic Battle of Tirad Pass. The story of Gregorio 'Goyo' del Pilar, one of the youngest Generals during the Philippine-American War who fought in the historic Battle of Tirad Pass. The story of Gregorio 'Goyo' del Pilar, one of the youngest Generals during the Philippine-American War who fought in the historic Battle of Tirad Pass.

• Jerrold Tarog
• Paulo Avelino
• Carlo Aquino
• Arron Villaflor
• 68 User reviews
• 5 Critic reviews
• 7 wins & 29 nominations

Top cast 84

• Gregorio del Pilar

• Vicente Enriquez

• Joven Hernando

• Emilio Aguinaldo

• Apolinario Mabini
• (as Epy Quizon)

• Jose Alejandrino

• Remedios Nable Jose

• Julian del Pilar

• Hilaria Aguinaldo

• Miguel Laureano

• Manuel Bernal
• (as Art Acuna)

• Don Mariano Nable Jose

• Angel Bernal
• (as Tomas Santos)

• Felicidad Aguinaldo

• Lieutenant Garcia

• Doctor Simeon Villa

• Doctor Santiago Barcelona

• Capt. Juan Del Pilar
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia This movie is a sequel of Heneral Luna (2015), also directed by Jerrold Tarog.
• Soundtracks The Star & Stripes Forever (1897)

User reviews 68

• joanacatbagan
• Feb 16, 2019
• How long is Goyo: The Boy General? Powered by Alexa
• September 5, 2018 (Philippines)
• Philippines
• Official Facebook
• Official Site
• Gojo: Dečak general
• TBA Studios
• Artikulo Uno Productions
• Globe Studios
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

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• Runtime 2 hours 35 minutes
• Dolby Digital

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Goyo: The Boy General

By Andrew Emerson | March 27, 2019

Jerrold Tarog’s Goyo: The Boy General aims to offer a Lawrence of Arabia -esque portrait of Gregorio “Goyo” del Pilar (Paulo Avelino), a Filipino general who was a national hero in the Philippines for his actions in the Philippine-American War. In the early days of said war, the film introduces del Pilar as a young, strong-willed fighter who also happens to be a notorious womanizer. The film proceeds to chronicle del Pilar’s initial experiences in battle, and it eventually concludes with a sweeping re-enactment of the Battle of Tirad Pass, the last-stand battle in which del Pilar and 60 other Filipinos were killed by a contingent of 500 American troops.

Overall, Tarog’s film suffers from two major flaws. To begin with, its attitude towards war is self-contradictory. As evidenced by the frequent dialogue about hunger, exhaustion, and the awfulness of combat, the narrative wants us to see that “war is hell.” Yet Tarog’s depiction of the Battle of Tirad Pass is – there’s no other word for it – beautiful, featuring breathtaking mountain vistas, soaring background music, and brightly lit shots. If you’re just going by these stylistic elements, war comes off looking as hellish as a summer walk through the countryside.

“… a Filipino general who was a national hero in the Philippines for his actions in the Philippine-American War.”

Meanwhile, the other issue with Goyo: The Boy General is that it’s painfully cliché. Del Pilar is portrayed as a heroic, righteous figure who’s admired by almost everyone, especially attractive single women. When depicting del Pilar’s death at Tirad Pass, moreover, Tarog goes out of his way to martyr him, setting scenes of mourning female admirers to sad music that underscores the “nobleness” of del Pilar’s sacrifice. Tarog’s film may not be quite as hagiographic as, say, Darkest Hour or Hacksaw Ridge . But ultimately, its view of del Pilar still proves maddeningly simplistic.

In Tarog’s defense, however, Goyo: The Boy General does have two things working in its favor. For starters, Avelino does a decent job in his role, portraying del Pilar’s patriotism and obstinate idealism with admirable dedication. Additionally, for American viewers, the film will hopefully provide an incentive to learn more about the Philippine-American War, an important but frequently ignored chapter in American history. Thanks to all of this, Goyo: The Boy General avoids being a complete disappointment, and you’ll at least be glad you watched it.

Goyo: The Boy General (2018) Directed by Jerrold Tarog. Written by Jerrold Tarog and Rody Vera. Starring Paulo Avelino, Carlo Aquino, Mon Confiado, and Arron Villaflor.

3 out of 10

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Its not cliche if Tarog wants it to be more historically accurate..

Hilarious an American would say the way Goyo was portrayed was painfully cliched as a heroic, righteous figure as this film would be the revelation that most Filipinos have that the man himself is flawed and was undone by his own sense of vanity. The author would be surprised if he asks the regular Filipino about Gregorio del Pilar whom they would claim more valiant and admirable than the caricature he is portrayed as in this film. Oh sir you’d be so surprised how our history books used to romanticize him, and this movie does not do any of that at all. Yeah it shows he is a playboy and has charmed the ladies but it also exposes him as a self-absorbed lapdog obedient only to the president, his sense of self importance and not his nation. I rate this review 0/10 for being ignorantly American.

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Goyo: the boy general, goyo: ang batang heneral.

Directed by Jerrold Tarog

Remember who you are

With this film (the second war trilogy set during the Filipino-American war in the early 1900s), the revolution marches on against the Americans after the bloody death of General Antonio Luna. The conflicted philosophies behind the heroic struggle continue and become personified in the colorful character of General Gregorio "Goyo" del Pilar.

Paulo Avelino Carlo Aquino Arron Villaflor Mon Confiado Epy Quizon Alvin Anson Gwen Zamora Rafa Siguion-Reyna Che Ramos Jojit Lorenzo Arthur Acuña Robert Seña Tomas Santos Empress Schuck Ronnie Lazaro RK Bagatsing Karl Medina Carlo Cruz Matt Evans Roeder Camanag Cedrick Juan E.A. Rocha Miguel Faustmann Billy Ray Gallion Jason Dewey Hans Eckstein Brian Wilson Ethan Salvador Bret Jackson Show All… Perla Bautista Benjamin Alves Stephanie Sol Tony Ahn Gabby Padilla Nonie Buencamino Leo Martinez Ivan Padilla

Director Director

Jerrold Tarog

Producers Producers

Daphne Chiu Lexter Tarriela Joenathan Alandy

Writers Writers

Rody Vera Jerrold Tarog

Editor Editor

Cinematography cinematography.

Pong Ignacio

Assistant Director Asst. Director

Crisanto B. Aquino

Executive Producers Exec. Producers

Paulo Avelino Quark Henares Ting Nebrida Fernando Ortigas E.A. Rocha Joe Caliro

Production Design Production Design

Roy Lachica

Composer Composer

Sound sound.

Alex Tomboc Albert Michael Idioma

Costume Design Costume Design

Steve Salvador

Artikulo Uno Productions ANIMA TBA Studios

Releases by Date

05 sep 2018, 26 jan 2019, releases by country.

• Theatrical PG

South Korea

• Digital 청소년 관람불가 Netflix

155 mins   More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

Review by andrea🌹 ★★★★ 11

i would lay down my life for the philippine national heroes cinematic universe!!!! ALL MY FILIPINO MUTUALS LEMME HEAR YALL SAY FUCK AMERICANS

Review by jasmine 🍂 ★★★★

TANGINA ISANG LINGGO NA TAYONG NGUMANGATA NG TUBO!

Review by Philbert Dy ★★★½

There's a lot being said in this movie, the themes at times spelled out in character voiceovers that read the letters they've been writing to each other. Mabini's letters are especially of note, and in so doing it becomes much more about Aguinaldo instead of del Pilar, whose arc involves a rather vague connection between his love for a woman and his love for country. In all this, the movie doesn't really explore the relationship between him and the president, and it doesn't flesh out the growing conflict in him. It makes these broad gestures to a history of trauma, but it doesn't pay that off in a w ay that feels satisfying.

The flaw may just be casting del…

Review by Sabrina ★★★½ 3

every boy in goyo’s barkada (him included) had the hots for joven. let’s discuss

Review by Goob ★★★

i just wanted a ONE clear shot thru a white person’s head is that too much to ask for????

Review by allene ★★★★ 1

heneral luna: "bayan o sarili?" aguinaldo: "ako o si luna?"

Review by tyra ★★★★½

why do filipino directors even bother making romcoms when the mango scene tops literally every other scene out there

Review by steph ★★★★★

tag yourselves, im joven falling off the cliff

Review by pia ★★★ 1

my seatmate, mid-fight scene: "PUTANGINA BA'T WALANG NAMAMATAY NA AMERIKANO?"

Review by jess! ★★★★

Tahol! Goyo! Tahol! Ang ganda. Tangina.

"Why do we always look up and glorify without question?"

Review by adele_ajang ★★★★ 2

Goyo: Ang Fuccboi na Heneral

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Review: GOYO: THE YOUNG GENERAL, Reversing the Hero's Journey

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Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (2018) – Movie Review

September 6, 2018 Kyla Marie Tardecilla Movies 0

I honestly though this film would be a sort of carbon copy of the Heneral Luna movie. But it holds its own ground. “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” steps up with its predecessor but different in flavor. A must watch.

The movie portrays the Filipino hero General Gregorio del Pilar .  One of the youngest generals who fought in the Philippine-American War who is nicknamed “Goyo” or “Boy General”. It depicts the coming-of-age of the young general who’ll lead an army in a revolution that was doomed to fail because of the failed leadership in its highest ranks. It brilliantly shows the many flaws that corroded the revolution and how its leaders preferred to prioritize one’s self and leisure over dignity and responsibility.

Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral is a movie that offers many lessons a true Filipino should know by heart. The things you’ll learn in this movie will make you want to better yourself for your country. Just like Goyo, you’ll better understand the worth of what you’re fighting for if you fight with love and not with hate.

What you can expect

No, this movie does not “lionize” the heroes the way our history books do. As a matter of fact, it shows how selfish and cowardly most of them are, from the lowest to the highest of ranks. It also mourns the death of Heneral Luna but at the same time it follows through a new chapter of the Philippine Revolution. You can feel hope from the remaining few who still wishes to fight and keep on with the revolution, but there’s also a darker atmosphere where it makes you question if it was all just in vain.

The battle scenes are incredible. Simple and not too over the top. The American actors who played as soldiers did a great job in showing the prowess of the American military power over the revolutionaries. You wouldn’t be able to feel hatred over them because they were not portrayed as evil unlike in other movies with the similar theme. They were simply professional soldiers who did their jobs and fought courageously alongside each other. On the other hand, you’d feel a bit disappointed and frustrated towards the Filipino troops for their lack of discipline and cowardly attempts to escape their battles each time things became difficult.

The movie, as much as possible, accurately depicts how the revolutionary leaders failed to act upon their responsibilities in hopes that they can only save whatever remaining pride they have left in a war that’s fast becoming lost. Their own flaws has trickled down to the lower ranks and morale has become low to the point some wouldn’t even volunteer to fight in an important mission with Goyo, which would later be known as the Battle of Tirad Pass .

Most historians would say that Gen. del Pilar was often labeled as Aguinaldo’s “dog” for his blind loyalty to him. He would follow Aguinaldo’s orders and each time he acted accordingly, he would be rewarded with a promotion. This explains why at such a young age he became a Brigadier General. The movie exposes Aguinaldo as a man who favored relationships over principles. And because of this, Goyo became known as a puppet among the people who knew the real intentions of Aguinaldo.

But what I liked about the movie is that it also shows Goyo’s willingness to fulfill his duties as a true general. Even if it meant sacrificing his own life. What most do not see is that Goyo was loyal not to Aguinaldo the man, but to his rank as the President. He was a soldier and loyalty is demanded for that profession no matter who your superiors are.

Cast and performances

Gregorio del Pilar is played by Paulo Avelino. I’ve got nothing bad to say about him. His appeal is actually perfect for the role. I think he’s got a good future ahead of him in the film industry.

Gwen Zamora for me was too tisay for the role of Remedios Nable Jose. It’s just so noticeable how different her looks was among the others but I guess that also adds to the uniqueness of her character. After all, her character’s appeal  needs to stand out if she’s going to be the love affair of Goyo.

Mon Confiado plays a remarkable Emilio Aguinaldo once again just like in Heneral Luna. This actor has indeed come a long way in the Filipino film industry since beginning his career in the early 90’s.

Epy Quizon’s role is the wise Apolinario Mabini. I urge audiences to listen to what he has to say in the movie.

Arron Villaflor plays Joven Hernando, an innocent assistant photographer to Miguel Laureano camera man played by Jojit Lorenzo

Carlo Aquino and Rafael Siguion-Reyna also starred as young officers Vicente Enriquez and Julian del Pilar who’s regularly at the side of Goyo in his important moments and battles. They were effective supporting characters in bringing out more color into the movie.

Ronnie Lazaro comes back as Lieutenant Garcia who earned the admiration of Heneral Luna for being brave and honorable in actions during battles. He becomes and important soldier of Goyo in his last stand.

Empress Schuck is Felicidad Aguinaldo the jealous but hopeful past girlfriend of Goyo who also is the younger sister of Emilio Aguinaldo.

• Goyo Ang Batang Heneral
• gregorio del pilar
• Gwen Zamora
• heneral luna
• Paulo Avelino

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Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral Is a Slow But Masterful Follow-Up to Heneral Luna

Jerrold Tarog displays his excellence in directing with a humanizing story of Gregorio del Pilar.

(SPOT.ph) Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral  was teased during the mid-credits scene at the end of the 2015 film Heneral Luna . Jerrold Tarog ’s award-winning opus about the fiery commander was a surprisingly stirring and resonant film that, for better or worse, opened the hearts and minds of the Filipino people to the possibility of a brash, arrogant, womanizing leader who’s wildly imperfect and foul-mouthed, but passionate about his love for country. In the context of 2015, Heneral Luna was incredibly apropos, almost providential, and stirred a great sense of national pride in every Filipino who saw the film.

Fast forward to 2018. Under a new political climate, Globe Studios and  Artikulo Uno Productions —which has, since the success of Heneral Luna , produced several fine and thoughtful films—gives us the story of Gregorio del Pilar ( Paulo Avelino ), the fabled boy general who rose to prominence with his courage, wartime exploits, and his womanizing. The film is a direct sequel to Heneral Luna and begins a day after Luna’s gruesome death upon the orders of President Emilio Aguinaldo ( Mon Confiado ). It follows the events of the last five months of Del Pilar’s life until his death at the Battle of Tirad Pass.

The film is masterfully done. The cinematography is breathtaking and brilliant, and the production design is some of the best in Philippine cinema . The actors are wonderful in their roles, and Avelino delivers a terrific performance as the baby-faced general. The only real trouble with Goyo is that it’s a film that probably didn't have to be made. Set after the most exciting and action-filled parts of Del Pilar’s life, most of the film drearily follows Goyo as he enjoys a false sense of peace following the death of Luna, and when he eventually flees with Aguinaldo as they’re pursued by the Americans.

Tarog, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rody Vera , attempts to fill the gaps with Goyo’s imagined internal struggles and his courtship of his last great paramour, Remedios Nable Jose ( Gwen Zamora ). The plot jumps from place to place because it also follows Aguinaldo’s dealings with Apolinario Mabini ( Epy Quizon ), who may well be the best character in the film. Quizon’s portrayal of the “brain of the revolution,”—easily one of the best parts of Heneral Luna —continues to be stellar and Mabini in fact delivers some of Goyo ’s best lines along with audience surrogate Joven Hernando ( Arron Villaflor ), the photographer’s assistant from the first film.

If Goyo succeeds in anything, it is in humanizing the lionized Del Pilar. While stories portray him as larger than life, the film grounds his exploits firmly in reality, even his womanizing nature. It’s wonderfully researched and—despite giving the disclaimer in the beginning that it uses fictional elements to deliver a cohesive narrative—gives audiences a better glimpse into the life of one of the country’s heroes. It gives its own version of events, such as sticking to the contention that it was Remedios and not younger sister Dolores who was Goyo’s true love.

Gregorio del Pilar was Aguinaldo’s favorite general, so the perspective is switched when coming from Heneral Luna . The boy general, in fact, was tasked to take down Luna but was beaten to the punch by mutinous soldiers. Early in the film, we see Del Pilar’s coldness when he orders his men to execute Luna loyalist Manuel Bernal ( Art Acuña ), revealing that the pleasantly faced general isn’t as pleasant when it comes to dealing with enemies. This sequence follows the Angelito short film that bridges the two biopics and gives a backstory to the boy, Angelito ( Tomas Santos ), who is shown being tortured for information at the beginning of the film.

Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral is a slow-paced story that contrasts greatly with Heneral Luna . It tries, without much success, to create some form of catchphrase with Goyo’s big brother Julio ( Rafa Siguion-Reyna ) psyching him up, “ Tandaan mo kung sino ka !” (Remember who you are!), to which he responds, “ Ang agila !” (The Eagle!). It just doesn’t compare to the crisp and utterly memorable, “ Punyeta !” of the combustible, mustachioed general.

Nothing much happens, either. There’s a barely-there courtship, a hint of political intrigue, a zarzuela , and a sad retreat from the Americans at the end that underscores how outclassed the Filipino forces were during the Philippine-American War. It equals Heneral Luna in terms of directorial brilliance , expert cinematography, and topnotch acting, but it falls short in terms of plot and greatness of ambition. This raises the question of why the film needed to have been made at all.

The answer lies at the end. As subversive as Heneral Luna was in 2015, Goyo rectifies the error of glorifying a strongman leader who would use such a cruel decree as Articulo Uno, which states that any soldier who refuses to follow an order may be killed without the benefit of a court martial. The film repeatedly and pointedly rebukes Aguinaldo for his directive to assassinate Luna, whom the Americans considered to be the Philippines’ best general.

The entire film, slow and plodding as it is, is a well-crafted argument against the selfishness of the men who shape this nation . Mabini narrates that it is only in fighting, in dying as a soldier, that Aguinaldo may regain his lost honor and prestige. But as the disgraced first President stares blankly at the sunset over Malacañan, he mutters that he has already given fealty to the United States. It’s a chillingly familiar refrain: A leader who seems to favor another country over his own.

Mabini laments that perhaps the Americans were right, after all—that we are but mere children trying to fight a grown man’s war. He says that Filipinos ignite with passion very quickly, but burn out just as fast . It’s a terrifying reminder that the Philippines may be doomed to follow the lead of people who put their own interests above the country’s.

Ultimately, the film’s title reveals it all. As some of the town lasses fawn over the good-looking boy general, they also talk of his improprieties with numerous women—such that anyone who falls for him and is eventually dumped is considered to be, “ na -Goyo”. The name is a warning. Don’t be fooled. Not again. Never again.

Rating: 3 out of 5 spots

Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral premieres on September 5.

Photos courtesy of TBA Studios

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An Honest Review Of 'Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral'

' Tandaan mo kung sino ka .'

The Long Plot, Sans Spoilers

General Antonio Luna has been killed, but the war is far from over. Known by many as "the President's favorite," Gen. Gregorio "Goyo" del Pilar ( Paulo Avelino ) is tasked to lead the Philippines' revolutionary forces against the Americans. Alongside him are his brother, Col. Julian del Pilar ( Rafael Siguion-Reyna ) and dear friend Col. Vicente Enriquez ( Carlo Aquino ).

To the Filipinos, Goyo seems to have everything under control. He is confident, loved by many (especially the ladies), and people look up to him. " Ikaw ang agila ,"   as mentioned by his brother.

But there is a side of Goyo that Filipinos do not know or have not seen. Underneath all his charm and success lies an internal struggle, and it just goes to show that in every battle, even the strongest, most idolized heroes are still human beings.

The Short, Honest Plot

Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral  is a movie that shows the human side of famed and glorified heroes.

The Main Actors And Where You Last Saw Them

Paulo avelino as goyo.

Paulo was last seen in the movie Kasal with actress Bea Alonzo . He also starred in the musical film Ang Larawan and in the romantic comedy I'm Drunk, I Love You.

Rafael Siguion-Reyna as Col. Julian del Pilar

Prior to this movie, Rafael appeared in one of this year's Cinemalaya entries, ML. It's an independent film about a soldier who served during Martial Law. He is also known for his roles in the TV series Kambal, Karibal and the movie Hari ng Tondo.

Carlo Aquino as Col. Vicente Enriquez

One of our fave '90s kids is making his way back on the big screen. He was last seen in the movie Meet Me In St. Gallen starring Bela Padilla . Carlo also had roles in the movies Throwback Today and Bar Boys.

Arron Villaflor as Joven Hernando

This 28-year-old actor last appeared in the film Mata Tapang and Spirit of the Glass 2: The Hunted. After his appearance in Heneral Luna , Arron starred in the short film Angelito, which was also directed by Jerrold Tarog .

Mon Confiado as Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo

Mon was last seen in Chito S. Roño 's film, Signal Rock . In the past years, he has taken on several roles in the TV series Maalala Mo Kaya on ABS-CBN.

Gwen Zamora as Remedios Nable Jose

This Filipina-Italian actress is known for her roles in the films Si Agimat Si Enteng Kabisote At Si Ako and Si Agimat At Si Enteng Kabisote.

Did You Know?

• Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral is a sequel to the 2015 film Heneral Luna and is produced by TBA Studios. They're also the production company that created films such as I'm Drunk I Love You , Smaller and Smaller Circles , Sunday Beauty Queen , and Birdshot .
• The creators, cast, and crew of the film went on a nationwide school tour. They visited Siliman University, Asia Pacific College, De La Salle University, Xavier University, and Philippine Normal University, among others.
• Paulo Avelino attended lectures by Filipino historian Ambeth Ocampo to prepare for his role as Goyo.
• The final movie in the war trilogy will be about President Manuel L. Quezon. In Heneral Luna and Goyo , a young Quezon was played by Benjamin Alves . The mid-credit scene in the film, however, hinted that an older Quezon will be portrayed by TJ Trinidad .
• One of the film's main theme songs is "Susi" by indie band Ben&Ben . Director Jerrold Tarog even took part in the recording by playing the drums.

What I Think:

What I liked most about this film was its cinematography and production design. The aerial shots, specifically the ones highlighting Tirad Pass, really stood out for me. I'm not really sure if I'm making this up but I think those particular shots were filmed in such a way that it would resemble that of an eagle's perspective. Eagle = Goyo. Mind blown.

The production design was excellent. From the costumes to the props, I can say it definitely captured the period setting. Hands down to the set design crew who built most of the sets from scratch! Choosing Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar as one of the locations was also a very good call because that place is just perfect for the film's time period.

As for the characters, I think Paulo Avelino was a good fit for the role. He did a good job in delivering the right amount of authority that was required of him, especially since the personality of his character isn't strong and intimidating.

Carlo Aquino and Rafa Siguion-Reyna were also commendable for their roles. Their chemistry with Paulo was very natural, and the bromance was evident. Though the formation of their small group with Arron Villaflor was somehow forced, it was entertaining to watch the four men experience friendship and brotherhood together.

However, one of the characters that didn't resonate well with me was Remedios Nable Jose ( Gwen Zamora ). I didn't really feel that she was the love interest of Goyo. There was more passion for Goyo from the three Filipinas who were crushing on him during the fiesta.

Overall, this film excelled through its visuals and characterization but it lacked in its storytelling. Goyo was a completely different film from Heneral Luna . While Heneral Luna revolved around the themes related to authority, strength, and war, Goyo felt more emotional and light. It had more heart, in a sense that it tackled love—for a significant other, for oneself, and of course, for one's country.  

What My Friend Thinks:

"Unlike its predecessor, Heneral Luna , which wanted its audience to get angry, and to fight, Goyo makes its audience feel. It showed the internal struggles experienced by Goyo, portrayed amazingly by Paulo Avelino, as well as the rest of the ensemble cast. Being a hero came with making a lot of sacrifices because with great power comes great responsibility. His love for the country is eventually what made him lose the chance with the love of his life, Remedios, something the young hero has been yearning to find all his life, evidenced by all the girls he has wooed and flirted with. It showed that sometimes, loyalty and principle don't necessarily go hand in hand, also shown by his determination to do his job, which, unfortunately, was also to be fiercely loyal to the president, Emilio Aguinaldo. Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral is a movie that shows the human side of famed and glorified heroes: the weaknesses they had, as well as the pain and heartbreak that came with what they had to do."  —Jonina

I'd Recommend It To:

Every Filipino! Goyo is a film that shows a piece of our history in a very emotional, yet artistic manner. With everything that's been going on in the country at present, this film will seriously make you think about nationalism and patriotism.

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I just watched Goyo: The Boy General and Heneral Luna as a Filipino-Canadian! Here's a review of Goyo.

Kumusta! I'm a young Filipino-Canadian and I'm trying to learn more about Filipino history and where I came from as an immigrant. I was up until 5am watching Heneral Luna and Goyo. I was really skeptical, as I've seen very few Filipino films that I think are actually good. But both of these films stand out in Filipino cinema.

All I need to say about Heneral Luna is that it's Filipino military propaganda with higher than usual production value and decent cinematography.

But I truly enjoyed Goyo. It was just finer execution of storytelling techniques without being overtly military propaganda. The cinematography was beautiful. And the writing was top notch, maintaining its seriousness throughout.

Yes it feels long, but I actually think the slow burn works. It's a careful deconstruction of what I assume is a character taught as being a hero in Philippine schools. The character development is actually well done and the pacing felt perfect – at least by Western indie standards. And the common criticism that I've seen that Goyo dies unceremoniously – well, I think that's a great idea. He's shown as not actually a hero, so why not kill him in an anticlimactic way to show the fruitless efforts of the Battle of Tirad Pass.

The character of Goyo is portrayed as a tragic hero. Throughout the movie, he's presented as a hero. But he's shown as being ineffective as a military tactician, as well as being a womanizer and vain – which is why he hires Joven to photograph his "accomplishments". But what the film does best is explore Goyo's psyche and his fears.

The political intrigue is more nuanced and that the military decisions aren't just binary good or bad. Aguinaldo is seen not just as a villain, but as an ineffective leader. Mabini shows his deft understanding of what the Revolution needed to survive. I don't know much about Filipino history, but what I get away from this is that early Filipino Revolutionary leaders were incompetent and ineffective, standing no chance against the American behemoth.

I also loved that the film had a period piece element, with romantic dance scenes that is reminiscent of any Jane Austen movie adaptation. The scene with Remedios and Goyo dancing, talking to each other, feels lifted from Pride and Prejudice. Unlike Luna, where the love storyline was useless, the romance with Remedios pushed the plot.

In the end, the film is a great war epic, learning from the story beats of films like Lord of the Rings. The Battle of Tirad Pass demonstrates a fruitless effort, but it tugged at your heartstrings. You felt compassionate for what the Revolutionaries were doing, fighting as a smaller force against a bigger, better army.

Goyo was just incredible. And I know I am often disappointed by Filipino cinema, but Goyo transcends that cynicism.

Thanks for letting me rant and share my thoughts on Philippines history!

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Goyo: The Boy General (2018)

Directed by jerrold tarog.

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Description by Wikipedia

Goyo: The Boy General, or simply Goyo, is a 2018 Filipino epic war film starring Paulo Avelino as the titular "Boy General", Gregorio del Pilar, who fought and died at the Battle of Tirad Pass during the Philippine–American War. It was written, directed, edited, and scored by Jerrold Tarog, and is a sequel to the 2015 film Heneral Luna, which chronicled Antonio Luna's life. Additional members of the ensemble cast include Carlo Aquino, Mon Confiado, Epy Quizon, Gwen Zamora, Empress Schuck, Alvin Anson, and Rafa Siguion-Reyna. It was released on September 5, 2018.

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Goyo: The Boy General

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The bayani collection.

A collection of biographical films about Filipino heroes - Antonio Luna, Gregorio del Pilar, and Manuel Quezon by director Jerrold Tarog

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