Lyceum of the Philippines University

A.Y. 2017-2018

Academic Reflection
Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita

Julius Lester B. Abiera Professor Jefferson Mendez

B324
 Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita

The movie Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita portrays the colonization period of Japan in the
Philippines. It also depicts how patriotic Filipinos are to the Philippines during that time.

The main characters in the story were Inya, Edilberto, Ignacio and Ichiru. The setting is in
the place of San Nicolas during the period of Japanese Colonization. Inya, Edilberto, and Ignacio
were childhood friends. Until the moment where Ichiru and his Japanese men came to San Nicolas
and stated that all they need is cooperation for them to defeat the Americans. They also said to the
Filipinos that Japan were their ally and not the America. Ignacio, who is a gay in the story, were
told by Edilberto and the guerillas (group of men that fought the Japanese troops) to pretend as if
she is a real woman to attract Captain Ichiru. The latter later on, was attracted to Ignacio who
replaced his name as Inya, for her to be believed as a woman. The original Inya was renamed as
Vinya .

The guerillas knew where they can attact the Japanese through Ignacio, who served as a
spy, and took advantage of Ichiru. Maura, the Japanese interpreter, revealed to one of the Japanese
army that Ignacio is a gay who later on was revealed to Ichiru. True love prevails as Ichiru knew
that Ignacio is a gay yet he continues to love him. He said that love is equal and had no gender.
The original Inya and Edilberto are married after which also signifies true love.

Edilberto’s family died for the Japanese army knew that his father was a part also of the
guerillas. This makes Edilberto more patriotic and focuses on loving his country by killing more
Japanese but Edilberto also died. Many Filipinos were killed by the Japanese. Ignacio changed the
heart of Ichiru and the latter set free some Filipinos who were in jail and that lead him to also kill
himself for he dishonor his country – Japan. Ignacio were arrested by the Japanese army and saved
by Inya, who lead the guerillas as Kapitan Berto, but at the end of the movie, Ignacio saved Inya
by tooking the fatal shot to Inya by using his body as cover. He said before his last breath that he
was a traitor and feel sorry for Inya and for the country.

The movie shows that Filipinos are patriotic. It illustrates love in a bigger picture and that
is love for one’s own country. The period when Japanese colonize the Philippines (1941-1945) is
only for four years through many Filipinos had sacrificed their own lives to save the Philippines.
It also shows how Japanese tortured Filipino people, especially once they knew that some were
gay and traitor to them. The Japanese became more brutal to the point that even mayors were
hanged at the plaza. But, Filipinos treat these scenarios for them to fight. These situations during
the colonization of the Japanese led the Filipinos to be braver and more determined to fight the
Japanese. The movie is very commendable by its lesson that is remarkable. It is to patronize one’s
own country, know our history, and use it as a guide for the future.