HIDDEN UNDER THE COVERS IS A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Jose Rizal has been stereotyped as a typical hero luring everybody with his dedication and perseverance, his admirable and heroic deeds. Almost every positive adjective in the dictionary can be used when you speak of Rizal in the country. Why? Because Rizal has been introduced to all of us that way, with a naïve mind and an innocent perception of life, Rizal was perceived as nothing but positivity. 

Upon taking up this subject, I have come to know the flaws of being Jose Mercado Rizal. The imperfection he attains that most wouldn't see or even notice. I have been awakened with the idea of him being perfect and ideal.

Well, if I were to be asked. I admire him but do not worship the idea of him. He was brave enough and people should be thankful for his courage and his dedication to fight for the freedom they are enjoying now. He did everything he did for people who in return can give nothing. He wholeheartedly sacrificed almost everything knowing he already had a good life. He was a very smart person and I felt like he used all his skills all in the right ways. But come to think of it, who in the right mind would do things the way Rizal did? Who in the right mind would sacrifice everything for the good of most people? No one but Rizal.

This is the reason why Rizal is perceived as special and heroic despite of every single flaw he had and imperfections he attained. Rizal had a bright mind that saw life in a different perspective. He always saw things in a different sphere. He had the thirst for revolution and change. He had the courage to stand up against those who belittled us which most can not even bare to do. And that made me admire his guts even if shortcomings and imperfections were laid down like cards on the table. It just made me realize more that no matter how heroic he was, he was most likely human like every one of us. That he crossed boundaries and pushed his limits as a person to fight for what we are enjoying now, our freedom. 

This subject gave me a fresh perspective about Jose Rizal and I am thankful to have known everything, like him being a gymnast and elabiration on aspects like his head size upon birth. Hahaha kidding aside. It has been great to know how a person can be gazed upon by people but still have dirt hidden right behind the covers. 

- HILARYCARLOS ♡

A Man with Amor Patrio

"A Man with Amor Patrio"

                  A man with love for our country, A physician, traveller, sculptor, writer, artist, psychic, biographer, polyglot, historian, journalist and a man who sacrifice everything even himself just to fight for our country no other than Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda. These are just some of Rizal's works and life. It will take a long introduction if all of his talents and skills will be mention. Rizal is simply fascinating. 

                  After studying Rizal, life works and writings for one semester, I've seen Rizal's passion and love for our country, he is willing to give up on everything, even his life and family just to save all Filipinos from Spaniards hands. He did writings just to open the eyes of Filipinos to show them and to make them realize that they are not slaves of Spaniards in their own country. Rizal brings no harm in his works to save us Filipinos. He also showed the value of Education, Rizal is a life long learner he did not stop studying, searching, inventing for new things. He contributed a lot in our education, like naming some species found in Philippines, writing a novel that until now we study to appreciate how brave Filipinos are and to let us know what happen during that time. He truly dedicated himself for us Filipino, not just hero but a super hero.

                   Nowadays we don't appreciate what happen in the past until we study life of Rizal. Filipinos now are being blinded for everything most especially to us millenials, we are blinded of what is really happening in our country, we are focused only about social media, how many likes we get in our facebook, how many followers we have in instagram and twitter. We are slaves of our own smart phones and personal computer. We dont really live our life to the fullest, most of our time are spend surfing internet, regularly checking of our account, we don't talk to people around us but we rather chat them using our messengers. Hope there will be someone a Rizal like who will open our eyes, show what is life out there not just appreciating latest phone but to find the truly meaning and value of life. Many time are wasted, life is short, do something meaningful contribute something helpful, love our own country and make your name be remembered, be like Rizal.



-Sigmund Tracy Louis P. Kindica

"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.