If you have watched Heneral Luna (2015) by Jerrold Tarog, one of the most striking props featured in the film were the different uniforms of the Filipino army under the First Philippine Republic. I have often remarked at how accurate those uniforms were portrayed, designed by Antonio Luna’s brother, the renowned artist of the Spoliarium, Juan Luna. Jose Alejandrino, one of the generals of the republic led by President Aguinaldo, and close friend of Antonio Luna, remarked in his memoir:
During that period, due to the difficulty of communication, the military contingents in each province wore uniforms made of any available material, while others wore uniforms chosen according to the caprice of their commanders who, in turn, carried any insignia which suited their personal taste or convenience. In order to remedy this inconvenience, Antonio Luna asked his brother Juan to make a color design of the uniform of each branch of the Army which he later submitted for the approval of the President. These uniforms became obligatory for the whole Philippine Army.
Thanks to old photographs, and consultants Mr. Pedro Antonio Valdez Javier and Mr. Macky Hosalla, we were able to recreate the designs of these uniforms, all sketched and illustrated in color by PCDSPO artist Derrick Macutay, in celebration of General Miguel Malvar’s 150th birth anniversary.
Visit the Presidential Museum and Library website for the infographic of these uniforms and their full cited sources. :)
I would like to personally congratulate the cast and crew of Heneral Luna and Artikulo Uno Productions, for hitting the PhP 200 million mark, making Heneral Luna the highest grossing Filipino film of all time! You guys took a great risk releasing such a movie, and the entire nation answered. Now the Philippine cinema knows that profit over story quality is no longer the ONLY way to go.
Infographic courtesy of the Presidential Museum and Library.
