JOSE RIZAL

Crisostomo Ibarra was also introduced in the film, ans it is Rizal's alter ego. Ibarra had
been forced to have two personalities because of the worsening problem in our country. Rizal
had published books such as the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as his weapons against
the dominions of Spain in our country. These novels became an inspiration over the
"KATIPUNAN" or the "Sons of the People" The Katipunans tear their 'cedulas' that symbolizes
to end all of their ties with Spain and unity with revolution. The friars have discovered such
revolution; they evan interrogated Paciano (Rizal's older brother) just to gain information about
the uprising in the country. The male members of Rizal's family left their home at Tondo, Manila
because they were being hunted by Spanish forces. On November 1896, Rizal has been brought
to Fort Santiago in Manila, and he was being interrogated by a colonel of Spain. He refuse to
admit that hr knows anything about the revolution and the colonel accused him as a traitor, just
like Fr. Burgos. Fr. Burgos has been sentenced to death together with other priests such as Father
Gomez and Father Zamora (GOMBURZA). The death pt Fr. Burgis was witnessed by Paciano.
Paciano opened Rizal's eyes to the injustices at that time. Rizal believed that education is
important, but what matters most is how you have learned the things in your life. Rizal's first
teacher was his mother and she had inspired him to learn more. Soon, Rizal was sent to Ateneo
Municipal in 1872 and University of Santo Thomas in 1878. Her mother taught him the story of
the moth; and she told him not to be like the little moth who was fascinated with the fire and it
had burned his wings and fall completely into death. Rizal not only wanted to learn everything,
but he wanted to see everything. He became a physician, and he cured his mother's eye illness.
He became a novelist and wrote about the current status of the country. He became a good son
and good brother in his family.

In the film, Rizal's mother was accused of attempting to poison her sister-in-law and she
was imprisoned for almost two years. This is a revenge of the friars to Rizal's family and to
protect Jose Rizal, Paciano advised him not to use 'Mercado' anymore, and only 'Rizal. 'Rizal
was exiled and signif Luis Taviel de Andrade became his Defense Counsel (the brother of Jose
Tavirl, Rizal's former bodyguard). Luis has unleashed the stories behind Rizal's intent of writing
the novels, his life, his relationship, his education, and his beliefs. Luis believed that as a writer,
what Rizal did is not art, but propaganda. Rizal defended that what the Filipinos really wanted is
recognition that Filipinos are equal with Spaniards and peaceful reforms through education and
civic development. Rizak went to Europe to study medicine and do whatever is necessary to help
liberate the people, as requested by Paciano. He left Leonor (his cousin and his lover) and his
family to helo his fellow countrymen. Rizal did well in school of medicine and he was inspired
by the uprisings im Spain. He talked sone of his fellow Filipinos in Spain in hsiw shall they help
in changing the system in the Philippines. Rizal's novels stimulated uprisings in our country and
some copies of it were burned by the friars. Innocent people were imprisoned by the government
by illegally possessing the books of Rizak. 'La Solidaridad' was founded and writings about the
system were once again published. Some misunderstanding happened between the members of
the organization andf Rizal went back to the Philippines to face the Spaniards.

In Manila, Rizal founded the 'La Liga Filipina' in July 1892. It aims to fortify the
foundations of man and his family, give importance to education and agriculture for the
development of our country. Rizal was exiled at Dapitan and there he met Josephine Bracken.
Monsignor Nosaleda is not contentet with the exile of Rizal and he wanted him dead. He asked
Governor General Blanco to execute Rizal, but refuse to do so. A new governor general,
Governor General Polavieja was sent by Spain to grant Monsignor Nosaleda's wish. The
revolution sparked despite Rizal's disapproval. For him, we are not yet ready and it is not the
right time. Rizal however was charged with being the leader of the revolution and he was
sentenced to death. Rizal was fired on December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan, Manila. His family
and the Filipino people mourned for his death. Filipinos joined the uprisings and with Rizal's
death, we have achieved Independence on June 12, 1896. Rizal died with honor and dignity for
his country and for his fellow countrymen. He had fought for our freedom till his last breath. He
had fought for his principles no matter how hard it is.

REVIEW

When I finished watching the film, there are two important things worthy of note that is
being highlighted throughout the film – the importance of education and the ‘pen being mightier
than the sword’. Education is the key to success, as to what the old and enduring maxim states.
Rizal, at a very young age, gives great magnitude to education even until the end and even when
his life is in jeopardy. The youth deemed to be the hope of the society as Rizal viewed it, should
give more importance to their education. Although he failed to save his life and still died a
martyr, his works being studied throughout the ages in the Philippine curriculum is the living
proof of what education has taught him. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo is his magnum
opus that aims to bring to light the spiteful deeds of the Spaniards and stir up the minds and heart
of every Filipino to reality.

The pen is mightier than the sword as another maxim states is clearly apt in Rizal’s life.
All attempts to oust the Spaniards from the Philippine archipelago through mutiny, rebellion, and
revolution, are completely futile. Dr. Jose Rizal, on the other hand, preferred the civilized
manner of revolt by using his pen and is the first to succeed. It was through his works that we are
able to gain our freedom after 333 years of being slaves, that is, however, in the expense of his
life. It was his pen instead of the guns and weapons that succeeded in conquering the Spaniards.
If I would define what noble is, I’d say Dr. Jose P. Rizal. He is a man of his words, and his love
for his country is beyond compare. He is just like any of us bearing the features of a Filipino. We
are all Filipino and out of millions of people in the Philippines, it was only him who made a great
difference. He was this powerful with a pen in his hand and love for the country in his heart that
he was able to change the Philippine history. His love for education is worthy of note as well.

Dr. Jose Rizal’s life taught us not just history but of various values as well. The most
important thing is education. We should give more importance to our education. Without it, we’d
be naive and fragile. It was our greatest weapon to success. Another thing is patriotism. It wasn’t
about risking your life for your countrymen but to love our own country and patronize our own.
The best thing to show patriotism is to use our own language. As a matter of fact, Rizal wrote a
poem for the youth entitled Sa Aking Kabata, which emphasizes the use of our own language.
We should love our own because if we don’t, we’re just like an alien to our own country. The
death of Dr. Jose P. Rizal is the birth of our independence. He died for his country, for our
freedom. His life and works are an eye-opener. Let us not put his death into zilch. Let us not be
alien to our own country. Let us not forget how he fought hard along with other Filipino heroes
to regain our freedom and take back our own country. We should love our own first and not put
foreign countries over our own.