SOCIO-POLITICAL IMPACT OF “NOLI” AND “FILI”: AN ANALYSIS

By Ogbuka Bright E. BSP2

A novel written by the proclaimed national hero of the Philippines and the first Asian
nationalist, Dr. Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda or simply just Dr. Jose Rizal
aimed to inspire the Filipinos to wake up and realize what the real situation of our beloved
country was when we were under the authority of the Spaniards. His strong love for the
Philippines and for its people made him write the novel with the intent of exposing the Spanish
colonial abuse happening throughout the country.
Though the story and the characters are fictional and made up, Dr Rizal was able to expose
the dire situation they experienced, injustice, abuse of power, sufferings and discrimination
among the lower class people in the novel represented exactly the former state of the
Philippines under the power of the Spaniards.
After of which Rizal had finished writing the novel, he was very eager to publish it. Though
one of the biggest problem is the money, he found a way reproduce the book through the help
of his friend Maximo Viola who lent him a total amount of Php 300 to print 2,000 copies (Dumlao
& Reyes, 1960).
According to an article from Driftwood Journeys, Noli Me Tangere is one of Rizal’s biggest
milestone in his life. He knew that his work will be ground-breaking, and will serve as a key to
open new paths, ideas, and solutions to the problems of the country. According to his letter to
Ferdinand Blumentritt. “The novel is the first impartial and bold account of the life of the
Tagalogs. The Filipinos will find in it the history of the last ten years. He knew that his novel will
continue to
influence the Philippine society for several years
During his lifetime, Dr. Jose Rizal has acquired wide range of knowledge in different
disciplines. among a few of his various intellectual lessons are
Initiative or self direction which is a persons readiness to think a line of conduct and ability to
carry it out on his own responsibility, in my present day life this helps me to think outside the
box in difficult times to look for solutions that can help my self and the society.
Prudence which is a virtue that guides our minds in choosing the best means of
accomplishing a thing. In my present life this helps me select the easier way in doing things and
to get things done faster and cheaper.
Self control is necessary for both the inner and outer calm there be serenity of spirit, physical
and moral repose and willingness. I apply self control in my daily life by checking my feelings
and actions before I react in any giving situation and it also helps me to remain at peace in
times if distress.