Jeanra Mae San Juan 1-BEEd-1

Reflection Paper

We went to Fort Santiago last week. Together with my classmates We entered the gates, excitement

overcame us. We pay the P50 entrance fee, and started our afternoon walk at the park. To the plaza’s left is

the Dambana ni Rizal, or the Rizal Shrine, a mini-museum containing artifacts and relics significant to

Rizal’s life.

The thing that interested me most was Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios, which he had written at the exact

same location. Also there are exhibits which feature the notable moments leading to his execution. Mi Ultimo

Adios was the farewell poem of Rizal that originally had no title and was unsigned. This was believed as

Rizal's last will because he wrote it on the night before he was executed. Also through this poem, Rizal was

giving his last message to his countrymen. This was considered one of the evidences that Rizal did not

retracted his beliefs. The poem together with Rizal's execution ignited the Philippine Revolution. In 1902, the

poem was recited before the American House of Representatives. The poem revealed the nobility of the

author and forever changed how Americans looked at Filipinos during the American Occupation resulting to

the passing of the Philippine Bill of 1902. Mi Ultimo Adios is a poem that tells us how beautiful the

Philippines is and how Rizal wants us to learn from our past and to see the truth about how the world view

us. He showed us that it’s not about fighting using a sword or anything that can hurt others. A pen can also

seek freedom. In this poem he shows that after the hardships and sacrifices we will meet the freedom.

Being a hero is not having a power like being invisible, lightning etc. A hero is a person who fights

for his/her family, friends and love ones. Yes, Dr. Jose Rizal is a hero because using his intelligence and

artistry, We are hero in our own way. We should treasure every moment in our life. We should treasure all

the people who love us and the people we love.

Jeanra Mae San Juan 1-BEEd-1

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