Written by Jericho Gingoyon

Heneral Luna is one of the biggest films to hit Filipino theaters — with its amazing combination of action, drama and comedy, it is no surprise that the show garnered many views and much appreciation. But have you ever wondered what would have been different if The General were an OrCom student? As OrCom Majors, we learn how to communicate both efficiently and effectively — the General might have been even more formidable if he had learned and could apply the principles that are taught in the OrCom curriculum.

According to the dual-processing theory, the way a message is delivered is just as important as the content of the message. The General showed blatant disregard and ignorance for this principle during his negotiation with General Mascado — an impatient and envious man. Because Luna sent envoys to negotiate and send orders to General Mascado, he became even more impatient and envious due to the apparent sleight towards him. Mascado explained that Luna was undermining his authority by sending mule boys instead of Luna speaking with him personally. Later on, Luna showed willingness to speak with Mascado personally at Pampanga and even comically brought a casket. Because Luna did not meet with Mascado earlier, the Americans were slowly able to conquer the stronghold. By applying the dual-processing theory, Mascado would have followed Luna’s orders outright, Mascado would have felt less disrespected, and the stronghold would not have been lost.

Another principle that is taught in the OrCom curriculum is the avoidance of committing face-threatening acts. The General stepped on a lot of toes during his reign. Mascado felt his face, character, and reputation were threatened. Pedro Paterno was another character subject to the general’s criticism. He was often called a “sissy” for supporting the Americans during cabinet meetings. Additionally, Luna would also loudly challenge and insult the family of Buencamino. Many more insults flew out of the General’s mouth, showing his lack of delicacy and social skills. Luna was a very intelligent military strategist, but when it came to politics, he was incapable of playing the Game of Thrones. Respect and kindness towards allies is a must during all times. Luna’s no nonsense attitude was very refreshing and very entertaining to watch, but imagine being in the shoes of all those that Luna had insulted — we would definitely not be smiling. We all have attractive faces. As OrCom students, we must always attempt to refrain from face-threatening-acts against our own friends and allies, despite their incompetence and insecurities.

Lastly, Luna could have greatly benefited from applying the principles behind the Human Relations Approaches and Human Resources Approaches. Luna’s descent started when he totally annihilated the face of the leader of the Kawit Brigade. Like Mascado, the Kawit Commander disobeyed the orders of The General. Unfortunately unlike Mascado, the humiliation dished out to the Kawit Commander by The General was far worse and graphic. Already distressed that a skirmish with the Americans was going poorly, the legendary Luna stormed the headquarters of the Kawit Brigade with haste. Along the way, The General physically abused a number of soldiers of the Brigade. The abuse of the soldiers paled in comparison, though, to the abuse that Luna enacted on the Kawit Commander. Luna punched and pounded the Commander in the presence of his frightened lover. Luna would throttle the genitals of the Commander in front of the Commander’s own brigade. Imagine the CEO of a major company being dragged out and embarrassed in front of his or her own employees. The General applied concepts from one of the Traditional Approaches of Organizational Communication. To him, the Kawit Commander was merely a cog in a machine that needed whipping and discipline. The General could have opted to engage in a private conversation with the Kawit Commander instead of publicly humiliating the man.

Admittedly, if General Luna were an OrCom student, the movie would not have been as exciting — albeit history could have been very different. Heneral Luna as Heneral OrCom would have made a fascinating page in the history books. The way a message is sent is just as important as the content of the message. As people, we must not neglect in our actions the reputations, characters, faces, and feelings of others especially in times of conflict. People should also avoid humiliating others in front of an audience. Heneral Luna was a brutal, ruthless, and unstoppable military mind but he was an unwise public relations practitioner. With the training that we receive as OrCom students, we will be more formidable in the corporate world and in other fields so long as we continue striving to be wiser and more intelligent — General Luna would been a lot wiser if he had been an OrCom student.