KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- The City of Koronadal immortalizes the heroism of Engr. Albert Luis Morrow and his aide, Santiago Odi, in a short film that premiered Thursday, January 12, as a highlight of its 83rd Founding Anniversary and 23rd Hinugyaw Festival. 

The short film is entitled “HANDURAWAN: The Trial of Albert Morrow.”

Engr. Albert Morrow, replaced Gen. Paulino Santos as general manager of the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA) during the Japanese occupation. 

Following the death of an Imperial Army soldier in the attack by the US Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) troops of the Japanese Garrison in Marbel Settlement (now Koronadal City),  a certain Capt. Oeshi,  arrested at least 28 settlers. 

Morrow pleaded for the release of his people, who he knew were innocent of the crime, with Oeshi but the latter refused to heed such pleas. 

Desperate to free his people, Morrow sacrificed himself by committing “hara kiri” on November 10, 1942. His aide Santiago Odi followed suit.  However, before taking his own life, Morrow wrote a letter to Oeshi expressing once more his pleadings to spare the lives of the civilians.

According to historical accounts, Morrow’s and Odi’s sacrifice led Oeshi to order the release of the captives. 

Handurawan: The Trial of Albert Morrow is written and directed by indie filmmaker Yen Morales, a Koronadaleño, and top-billed by Christian Vasquez as Morrow and Lowell Conales as Odi. 

"The heart of the story is a metaphor of a sublime manifestation of heroism, of friendship, and leadership. These are important messages that both characters want us to perceive and understand," Carlo Ebeo, NCCA commissioner said during the film screening event at The Farm@Carpenter Hill. 

"The deaths of our heroes, the massacre of many victims, especially the 17 martyrs, were viewed as heroic, underscoring the famous line which states, "to die so that others can live,'' Ebeo emphasized further. 

Ebeo, led the team that staged the first Handurawan as a two-act play. 

Elric Batilaran, culture and arts officer of Koronadal City said, "the entire Handurawan story is a product of almost two decades of research,"  including intensive interviews with the remaining original settlers and their descendants as well as records, most significant of which, was an exceptionally detailed diary of Guerilla Dar. 

Honored guests during the premiere screening were  descendants of  Morrow and Odi, of the original settlers, and of the 17 martyrs of Koronadal. Considered most notable among the guests was Mary Lou Morrow-Solomon, the eldest daughter of Albert Morrow.

"I am happy because at last my father was recognized and after this many will know [of his heroic deeds], especially those who really benefited from his life...," Mrs. Morrow-Solomon told Philippine Information Agency. 

She also expressed hope that  the lives of his father and that of other heroes of Koronadal will form part of the education of the young generation.

Handurawan was opened for public screening on Friday, January 13, at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center. 

Meanwhile, officials of the city government here consider incorporating the Handurawan film in the curriculum, initially, in schools within the DepEd Koronadal City District. 

"First thing that I will do, I will immediately issue an executive order, making it mandatory in all schools in the City of Koronadal, that on the first day [of classes] this film shall be screened," Mayor Eliordo Ogena declared. 

As head of the city's legislative body, Vice Mayor Erlinda Pabi-Araquil, is also keen on passing a legislative measure that will integrate Handurawan into the school curriculum. 

City officials also confirmed plan to produce a film about the 17 martyrs who were massacred on November 24, 1942 in retaliation for the death of the Japanese soldier.  

These 17 are memorialized by Koronadal City and the National Historical Commission in a monument built inside the Koronadal Central Elementary School (KCES) 1 campus where they were buried. 

It has been the practice of the city to kick off every foundation anniversary with a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of the 17 martyrs and the monument of Morrow and Odi at the old city hall compound. (PIA SOCCSKSARGEN)