Ang Misyon: A Marawi Siege Story

As a Muslim, my first thought was that the movie was a way of blaming our religion for
the terrorism within the country. From portraying our traditions to the way they say, “Takbir,
Allahu’akbar!” I felt like it was the blame in a form of a movie. That would be my permanent impression
of the film but as I watched it midway, I came to the point of understanding the purpose of the film. That
my reaction was a mere first impression.

Since I was not able to watch the whole movie, I am relying on its ending wherein I saw a
dilemma of what the character should do, to choose; to choose what is right or what they think is right.
What they think is right, is that the character must help his fellow Muslims who were part of the group
of terrorists. What is right is what is good and that is to help the innocent, to help his country. Either
choice he choose will cause the death of him. He was torn between the two. But in the end, he died
choosing what is right. Right for his country. He chose what he promised when he took the oath of
serving the country. I sincerely salute the character for his brave act of helping his country. He died a
hero.

I left the area where the students watched the film and went to interview the actors that pave
way to a deeper understanding. My question was answered by Juan Miguel Soriano, that the purpose of
the film was actually to promote unity.

There is a line in a song entitled Jet Black Heart by 5 Seconds of Summer that says, “There’s a hurricane
underneath us trying to keep us apart.” To this movie, I can use it to represent the theme of the film. To
explain its purpose. The hurricane is the discrimination, the differences, the misunderstanding of beliefs,
the art of stereotyping, everything that keep us apart from being united as one—as a country. Keeping
us apart from the love we need to have peace and unity. “But these chemicals moving between us are
the reason to start again,” and this line means the only thing left in Padora’s box, hope. There is hope
that the discrimination will fade and leave our hearts then love will stay. There is hope for us to start
again. United.

Unity amidst differences. Acceptance of contrasting and diverse beliefs. Understanding of

different traditions and cultures. That whatever skin color you have, whatever country you came from,
whatever is your religion, rich or poor; we are one. We should love one another.