Jeremy Grant Ambe

BS Accoutancy IV

My reaction/realization:

Last August 2 of the present year, our History II: Life and Works of Rizal class watched the movie entitled
"Rizal" starring Cecar Montano who portrayed the character the title character. The movie depicted the
situation of the Philippines during the Spanish colonization. All sorts of brutality, profanity, and racial
discrimination experienced by our Filipino brethren was limpidly exhibited.

After watching the foregoing movie, I have realized several matters regarding the importance of the
independence our forefathers fought all throughout their lives. Our liberty was deprived to us because of
the inhumane treatment of the Spaniards towards our ancestors.

In connection with the above statements I have come to realize also why is it that Dr. Jose Rizal was
considered to be the national hero of the Philippines. The latter fought for our rights not with swords
but with paper and pen. Through his noble novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, the ember of
the sleeping nationalism of the Filipinos was reawakened.

I was disappointed and saddened, however, that even though Dr. Rizal hated and refuted the idea of
fighting through bloodshed, the contrary happened. Many Filipinos exploited his name to gain support
for revolution against the Spaniards. One these were the Andres Bonifacio. This aggravated to the
anomalous charges and accusations to Rizal leading to his ultimate martyrdom. This very act of self-
sacrifice and nationalism showcased by the latter became the seed of the new hope and courage to
really fight for the motherland even to death.

Overall, the movie is a good it is just that something is lacking, a very important element to the life of
Rizal, his travels abroad. This element was given little importance. This is the downside of the movie,
based on my opinion.