"Pepe, The National Hero"

Pepe was born on the moonlit night of June 19, 1861 in the lakeshore town of Calamba, Laguna which his mother almost died during the delivery because of his big head. He was given the tenderest care by his parents because he was frail, sickly and undersized child. His parents employed a kind old woman as an aya to look after his comfort. His aya told many stories about fairy tales, legends and folklore awakened his interest. At the age of five, he began to make sketches, to mould in clay and to read Spanish bible. At the age of eight, He wrote his first poem in native language entitled "Sa Aking Mga Kabata" which spoke about the people who truly love their native language will surely strive for liberty. His mother discovered his artistic and literacy talent and decided to brought him in school. As he grew older, He became the most brilliant student and graduated with highest honors.

On his childhood days, He showed his love, patriotic and compassionate for this country.  As he grew older , He dreamt of having the freedom of his Motherland and worked hard for it no matter how difficult it is and whatever the consequences might happen even to risk his own life. In his writings, he fight for his country through the idea of seeking independence from the colonial masters. The foremost of these writings are the two novels, the Noli Me Tangere  and El Filibusterismo that instigated the revolution . The unrest was further aggravated by the death of the hero by musketry at the Rizal Park. Rizal subject taught me the sense of national pride and a sense of awareness on how one can be a hero on his simple ways through analyzing Rizal’s real human image and relating the essence of his contributions to my present situations and experiences. I’ve learned about his sufferings and how he struggled in life. He became my inspiration on how to become a better person, how to help others and how to believe in myself in what I can achieve in life.

-Balilo, Kleir Liezel T.

-BSED-Biological Science

Jose Rizal — A Reflection Of His Life

       Patriotism existed ever since human civilization came to be. It was the one word which made nations what they are, people linked to one another in their community and country. There is no better example of patriotism and heroism in the history of Philippines than that of Jose Rizal's life. 

       Rizal's life was full of hardships and difficult choices. But even under these circumstances, he still managed to follow his path of righteousness. His principles proved firm and upheld his morals until the end. 

       As a kid, he lived life in a working class family and did not worry much about financial problems. He was exposed to religious acts at an early age, and showed academic excellence since the start of his school career. He experienced many sorrows since he was a child, including the death of his sister Concha at a very young age, and the execution of the so-called "three martyrs." As years pass by, Jose Rizal gradually realizes the oppression of spaniards to his fellow Filipinos, which brought about his unconditional love for the Filipino nation. 

       In studying Rizal's life and acts, I was inspired by his devotion for his countrymen, and, of course, his withstanding principles. One notable event in his life was when he reminded his countrymen of the true mission to eliminate Spanish oppression when they were all drowning in their vices in Europe. Amidst all the leisure, he did not let himself fall into temptation. Instead, he took a stand and followed his mission. An ordinary man would be blinded by all the temptations at hand without principles that Jose Rizal had. 

       Another heroic demonstration that Rizal displayed is his martyrdom of writing. Unlike his compatriots that desired bloodshed, he chose to believe a revolution through his writings instead of resorting to violence. It is this act that no other people have upheld just to attain freedom. The discipline and faith manifested in the process are quite no ordinary man has. 

       Until his death, he and his love for the Motherland remained firm and unchanged. Despite all the allegations and threats from the spaniards, he was unmoved by them and still pursued his dream of freeing his countrymen from Spanish oppression. Every risk he took for the Motherland surely is admired by people that have known him and studied his life. 

       Recollecting everything that happened in his life, Jose Rizal deserves to be in his title being the Philippine National Hero. He was born a leader and destined to awaken the Filipinos' sense of nationality and freedom. Despite his flaws as a man, it did not affect his unselfish and unconditional love for the country. I learned to appreciate the word "Filipino" and my nationality as well. 

       Truly, he was sent by Divine Providence to lead the Filipino people to the path of freedom. I know that the Almighty Father purposely let Rizal be born during the time when Filipinos needed a hero. Things may have changed if he decided to settle down and marry one of his lovers. After all, he is just an ordinary man who would want to be with someone he loves. But everything still fell to its place, and even though he was not the one who directly liberated the Filipino people, it was through his acts and patriotism that ignited his countrymen's hearts to stand up and fight. If I can have one chance talk to Dr. Jose Rizal, I would thank him in behalf of all Filipinos and people who have sacrificed a lot just for today's Filipino men to attain liberty. 

-Gomez, Gwyne Gabriel Q.

Reflection: Rizal's Life, Works, and Writings

     The course Rizal has helped me to appreciate the hardships that Jose Rizal went through in order for him to make a difference for our country. Throughout this course, I have gained a lot of knowledge and understanding about the value of nationalism and patriotism.
     Through the study of Rizal's life, works and writings, I have learned that standing up for what you believe in is a learning to be courageous. Rizal showed to us that the strength of our conviction is worth the difficulty that we may have to endure in order for us to realize our dreams. By knowing yourself and your conviction wholeheartedly, you will be able to find the courage and strength to be true to yourself and to stand up for what you believe in to make a difference.
     Jose Rizal may no longer be alive but his heroism, works, and writings are still alive in the hearts and minds of every Filipino.
-James Dayrit

Jose Rizal's life and works - The Inspiration To Everyone

 What I’ve learned from this subject is that, if we have a dream that we like to achieve, we should work hard for it and we should not stop regardless of the obstacles or challenges that we are facing. And I believe that reaching the star depends to that people on how he or she will pursue his or her dream. Like Jose Rizal, he did not stop studying in different countries to achieve his goal and to gain more knowledge and many ideas on how people in other country treated the Filipino people. He is very dedicated to his work and had a great idea to study in different countries like Spain, because it is the way he can see the political, economical and social life of the people there and can think of ways on how he can give the freedom and peace that his countrymen needed as he knows that the Spaniards treated the Filipino as an "Indio."

 The story of Jose Rizal is very interesting and amazing because he is very smart and talented person as our national hero. Rizal is also a brave person and trusted himself on everything that he are doing and able to do. Rizal sacrificed himself not only for his loved ones but also for the welfare of his countrymen which makes him an inspiration for everyone.

 I got inspired by Jose Rizal's life especially on thinking that you need to trust and believe to yourself and to God and don't ever give up on whatever struggles that will come to your life. Because with God nothing is impossible. And I believe also that knowledge is very important in every person because this is the way that you need to be a successful person. It is not important on how you will be physically beautiful but to let others see your worth as a person and how you will be a good example to others. 

- Mercado, Ryan Christian L.

Reflection About Our Country's National Hero's Life - Jose Rizal

For this semester, I’ve learned a lot about the life and works that Jose Rizal have offered to us, Filipino people. He deserve to be our National Hero because of him being amazing. He became an inspiration for many Filipino people as he is very dedicated on the good things that he have started and do not let his self down though faced to various challenges in life just to achieve the goal that he want not only for himself and for his family but also for his country. He might have his flaws, but I can say that his life is not an ordinary story. He used his talents, brain and heart just to sacrifice his whole life to give the freedom and peace to his own nation which is the Philippines.

Some of the things that I have learned from this subject are; First, this helped me understand better of myself as a Filipino. We should not focus on where we are now and where we are going but see and appreciate where we came from. And second, because of the powerful words and works of Jose Rizal, he made me know more the words “nationalism” and ”patriotism”. That we should be loyal to our country like Rizal that don’t think about his self but think of the country’s welfare and happiness.

Honestly, I really don’t feel to take this subject at first because it’s kinda hard for me and I hate history subjects but it is mandated by law that should be taken by all of the college students so I don’t have the choice. But in the end, I realized that it is worth learning for and I really admire our professor for being kind to us and do not give pressure to her students. I can say that through all of this learning, I can apply them in everything that I will do and like Jose Rizal, I will become a good influence and model to others too. 

- Martinez, Elaine D.

A man with immeasurable heart

Having known Jose Rizal as our National Hero he is famous for being a man of knowing almost everything. Him being a doctor, a teacher, a linguist, a writer, a poet and so on. Jose Rizal proves that height is not a measure of the amazing things a person can do.

A lesson I have learned from the young Jose is when he was playing along the river, he lost one of his slippers, it went running with the streams, what he did was he threw the other pair of slipper because he said neither him nor the one who could get the slipper can use one slipper so he threw the other one so the finder can use two.  A lesson saying that if we help we should give it without waiting for something in return. It also teaches us to think of the welfare of others before our own good.


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Kimberly P. Marticio

All-Around, Jose Rizal

When I was in Grade School, I only knew that Jose Rizal is just our National Hero and a Doctor, just that nothing more nothing less. But when I entered my first class in Life and Works of Rizal and our professor is somehow not an idol of Rizal, I feel that this will be an exciting class ever, because there is no biased. And I enjoyed the what I called a “storytelling class” in a good side.

The life of Rizal was pretty much amazing, he was a genius, he is an athletic person, he was a talented person, he never forgets to go to gym, he has a favorite flower which is “forget me not”, he knows a lot of languages like Spanish, German and French, and I think nobody other than Rizal knows a lot of languages and speak it fluently. Rizal has a lot of girlfriends, but none of them will be as level as the love for Leonor Rivera, but in the end Leonor marry an Englishmen. 

Rizal also write a novel which is Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. He also established a lot of club like Kidlat Club, Indios Bravos and RDLM Society. Rizal is a multi-tasking man, what he wants he gets, no matter what happen he will do everything or anything. He seeks for education just to make a plan on how to save the nation, he doesn’t used any harm to other people but instead he used his pen and paper to write novel regarding to the action of Spanish authority and how unfair the life before is. Rizal loved his family, and nation, most especially God. Since he was a kid, he was a religious person, and he always pray no matter what happen.



- Manansala, Jorina C.

My point of view and learnings with Jose Rizal

If we were going to compare the contributions of Jose Rizal over the contributions of Andres Bonifacio to the Philippines, its just the same. Both of them shows love for country, they want to be free against the Spanish authorities. The only difference Rizal choose to make noble in order to overcome his feelings against the cruel foreign rather than holding an equipment to fight which Andres Bonifacio does. He push himself to used violent action. I should say somehow theirs nothing wrong about that because Bonifacio saw an improper way of the Spanish in treating Filipinos and their is no equality. Rizal did not used physical force that's way they considered him as our national hero. Rizal went to different countries to observe the life, government, politics and ect. from different cultures. For me its not worth it if we say he did that for our country. And I guess that observation is not the main purpose why he went to abroad. I think the main reason is he want to study to gain knowledge in many different matter. But I'm not saying I don't like him at all, I still admire Rizal for being brave and his love for our country. I've learned so many things in studying life and works of Rizal.
Firstly, Rizal is educated I realize education is important to everyone not just because people will admire you, instead you will have the right to speak about something and express your voice and people might listen to your knowledge and idea.
Secondly, Love your country more than yourself, the real hero is the one who willing to sacrifice life for the fatherland, Rizal sacrifice his life for the Philippines.
Thirdly, Don't keep your voice or throw away your idea if you have noticed something wrong in your surroundings.
Fourthly, Learn to fight with people who are abusive with regards to your rights as a person.
Lastly, Rizal always focus on his vision that's why I've learned to have a vision in life so that in the future you will achieve your dream.



Dalton Yabut     NU301
Business Management/SBA

THE BRAVE MAN AND A FIGHTER NOT PHYSICAL BUT USES INTELLECTUAL.

    What philosophy I have learned from Rizal life and how it helps me as a person? Is that if there is darkness in life there is also a light waiting ahead because with every problem it has solution. Even how hard your life now through courage and believing yourself you can pass through everything whatever it is.

   Taking Rizal’s class it differ my understanding of our history  in a sense that it live me think the life of people now compared to life of people back in Rizal’s life how people suffer from the hand of Spaniards. Sometimes while reading his book it leave me to think that what if I was in Rizal’s life back long years ago. Can I be able to do what Rizal’s did in our country?  My answer is no because Rizal’s courage, braveness, being fighter, intelligent man and his love for his people were unreachable. No wonder why, other people treat him like one of the God because I think he is one of the superior and unforgettable person in history. 

    The positive of Rizal’s life even though he died in early age, he got what he wanted in life which was his planned for Filipinos to be free from Spaniards, through writing he opened the minds of Filipinos  and give them a courage to stand to their feet and protect what’s right for them. He had been able to travel everywhere in the world despised of difficulties he were facing during those times, and now, he is being recognize as one of the national heroes.  The negative part of his life was he isn’t capable to have a family and live a normal life like others because of his mission that need to be accomplished. 

      The limitations and weaknesses of Rizal’s life and his book we used to study his life were, his weaknesses were the weaknesses of his society and I think he just focused on his missions and forgotten about how to have a family on his own.   

- Aranzado, Armida C.

Reflection Paper

For one semester, I learned a lot while studying this subject (The Life and Works of Rizal). I have gained knowledge about Dr. Jose Rizal’s life. His life was a truly inspiring story, a story of a genius man, who sacrificed his life to give love, freedom and peace for the Filipino nation. It shows the value of certain things like the love for the family, for the country and for God, which are important for the success of one’s life. Rizal is an aspiring model to every Filipino. He deserves the title that was given to him, to be our National Hero; he deserves to be what he has known for today.

-          Izza Obmaces

Learning From Within

Throughout the course "Life of Rizal" there are a lot of values that I have learned not just as a Filipino but as a person. Aside from loving our native language and our fatherland as Dr. Jose Rizal urged us, I have realized that we should live a meaningful life and let's not let other people bring us down. Like Rizal, for countless times, he had been belittled for being an indio; but instead of taking it negatively, he took it as challenge to let the Spaniards feel that they are not superior and for them to see that Filipinos should be treated equally. 

Rizal's love for education is very evident throughout the course. His thirst to learn and his guts to be far away from his loved ones is one thing that I admire the most. In this generation, there are some who does not value education; they think education is just part of the cycle of human life. Little did they know, education is not just a weapon to run away from the judgmental society but a weapon to have a brighter future. I am not saying that those who do not have a degree can't have a better life. My point here is, it's not about having a degree, it's about learning every single day. Learning is not always about reading books and good grades.

- David, Anna Marie C.

Reflection Paper

Dr. Jose Rizal's Life

The first thing I noticed in Dr. Jose Rizal’s life was that he lived a simple one. He did not choose to have a luxurious life like the most of us have wanted. Even before he became under surveillance by the Spaniards, he had lived his life as simple as possible. I think it was the work of his parents that made him lived like this. I strongly believe that one’s lifestyle is influenced mostly by their parents. I learned from the life of Rizal the importance of taking part of the parents to their children’s morals.

The second thing that I observed from the life of Rizal was his calmness and ability to think rationally even in the most complicated circumstances. His advocacy of Philippine Independence is by legal and peaceful way that is why he wrote many books in order to fire-up the revolutionary spirit of the Filipinos.

 I learned the value of education as a stepping stone towards gaining success for myself and for my country. Since there is an enough motivation to study and explore by wisdom, I made this an encouragement to myself that education shall not only stop within the corners of classrooms but shall also extend until the corners of the world. Rizal’s belief that waking up the innate desire of every Filipino youth to cultivate his intelligence is such a great thing that every individual has to ponder. His philosophy was affirmed by his educational attainment, thus giving a strong support of his educational philosophy and giving him the credibility to talk such path towards educational success. 

                                                                     -Lester Canlas

Reflection Paper

Life of Jose Rizal 

I learned a lot while studying this subject. I’ve gained knowledge about Rizal’s life and his contributions to our country. I’ve seen Rizal our hero in a different perspective. While some of us may just know him as our national hero, but for me, I’ve realized that Rizal’s just like some of us. He’s had his struggles and triumphs.

 The life of Jose Rizal was a truly inspiring story. Not just as an ordinary story of a Filipino but a story of a very intelligent and talented Filipino, who is ready to sacrifice his whole life just to give freedom and peace to his family, and own nation. It might not all about him, but those learning’s and knowledge I learned, is enough to say to myself and to other Filipino and even not, that he deserves to be what he have known for today. And that is, the National Hero of the Filipino. His life was truly amazing and colorful for the hero’s experiences mold him to what God purposely do to him. 

Jose Rizal, for my own insights, tells me the value of certain things which is important for the success of his life. That is God, Family, Country and Self. He could not reach as that far without God. The Lords is the most important one who could determine our success, just like as Rizal feared God and in return, he have been bless abundantly not by material things only but a spiritual one. That is intelligence, skills, love, and compassion. I have learned from Rizal’s life that you should make yourself fruitfully. He makes himself grow to wisdom and knowledge to use it in God’s purpose. If there were only thousands of persons like Rizal, I believe our society will be at good condition. I always hope I could be like him in some areas of his life, but I know that it is far from reality to happen. But what I am doing is that I am performing at my best, making every effort to become a productive individual in different aspects of life. 

Thanks to Rizal for he is inspires me and thanks to our professor who imparts and explains all this knowledge for us to better understands it. 


                                                                                                                 - Joyce Dizon

Reflection: I admire Jose Rizal in a different ways

Jose Rizal life reflection

A man wholeheartedly beloved his homeland the one and only Jose Rizal. This man who teach us to speak what is right and justice. Rizal show us that there is no impossible if we just continue pursuing that we can defend our own country by itself and by our own nationality. That there is no ashamed for what we have. What amazes me the most about him is not just the talents that god given to him but more on how he chooses life or death just like happiness or country. He’s not weak because he never seeks revenge on anybody all he wants is the right for his own fellow filipino. And I’ve learned about Jose Rizal Life in too many difference ways. Like;

Rizal’s Life, work, and martyrdom raised him to the highest place in pantheon of our revolutionary heroes. And I also admire His mother who mold him and turn him into what he has now without his mother I could not discern what would be rizal now. And I thank Dona Teodora for giving birth, a person who is brave and dauntless and especially who wholeheartedly beloved by this own country. And Don francisco the honorable father of rizal we all know that this person who doesn’t really talk, silent and hard working person. That who wants to provide a proper education for all his children. I personally believe that the greatest gift a father can give to their child is if he believes in him/ her no matter the circumstances.  And for rizal, he is lucky enough to have a father who believed in him. His father still believed in the works that rizal had left after his heroic death. Each parents are unique. You can see how much he loves both his parents and siblings, how much he cares for them wanting them all to be safe and happy.

 He ignored the negative feedback's he got from people who think otherwise like what Einstein did and that makes him an intelligent. The measures of intelligence is the ability   to change. Yes, he didn’t change the situation the world is in but he was able to change the fate of our nation and the lives of filipinos. Although it’s hard to forget the pain and sorrows that happened to his life and sometimes and was caused by others all he can do is to forgive and that’s what make him strong.

He died for the freedom of all filipino. I think this is the same situation like god did before. But I’m not saying that they are the same as all. In rizal book life I should say this one is the most historic. Sacrificing is very much not easy to do.

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