Cumigad, Ignatius Dominic P.

Evangelista, John Andrew

Socio 10 THR
October 18, 2014

Reflection Paper on Lino Brockas Ora Pro Nobis (Fight for Us)

Ora Pro Nobis is a 1989 film that depicts the violations of human rights and liberalism of
the administration in its support for cultic vigilantes who call themselves Ora Pro Nobis for the
purpose of fighting communism during the end of the Marcos regime and the beginning of
Aquino administration.

There are three issues shown in the movie that has made a great impact to me: Political
issues, Moral issues and Social issues.

For the Political issues: the protagonist, Jimmy Cordero, an ex-priest-activist, was more
of a symbol rather than a complete character: He was the symbol of the ordinary Filipino who
has become lax in the skin-deep safety the weak democracy has promised. It was also implied in
the last parts of the movie that the decision for quiet aggression and diplomatic means of fighting
oppression will not work within a system that is so corrupt to its core, that is why Jimmy, during
the last minutes of the film, called his friend to join in the group and become an activist once
again.

For the Moral issues: I was disturbed by the act of rape being used as a weapon against
the underground movement, which is portrayed by Commander Kontra. I was pressed to find out

Cumigad, Ignatius Dominic P.

Evangelista, John Andrew
Socio 10 THR
October 18, 2014

why moral issues and human rights are so closely tied and why rape is such a prevalent and
widespread practice used to oppress people during times of war. I feel that the use of rape as a
weapon of war is an illegal, disgusting, and inhumane war crime. It is disturbing how widespread
its use is throughout history to prove dominance. Among these acts of sexual violence, there
were other oppressive situations that demonstrated the broad range of human rights violations
that took place during that period.
For the Social issues: The use of guns as weapons portrayed by the Ora Pro Nobis
vigilantes depicts their power. The mass killings also shows their power, even though they do not
have a definite proof on who are the rebels or not, they just pinpoint random civilians and
refugees, and out of rage, they just kill them without warning.
At first, I was confused on the title Ora Pro Nobis which really means Pray for Us,
however, it also means Fight for Us. It was really ironic since the Ora Pro Nobis vigilantes,
which has the job to fight for the eradication of rebellion and communism, seem to become the
rebels themselves, because instead of bringing peace and order, they bring chaos to society.
I was also disturbed on the brutality even if it is just a movie, but when I read an article
that it is based on real-life events that happened during that time, I was furious and many
thoughts came to my mind. I imagined what if the portrayed issues in the movie will happen
again in the near future here in our country?
Ora Pro Nobis shatters our vision of the current system of our state, even though so much
has changed in almost 28 years. This film will help us seek for the much needed change in the

Cumigad, Ignatius Dominic P.

Evangelista, John Andrew
Socio 10 THR
October 18, 2014

society. It carries our call to end the oppression of the Filipino people may it be political, moral
or social.