Reflection Paper by Jesslee E.

Taguiam Life and Works of Rizal, MWF, 4:00 to 5:00 pm

“The First Filipino” by Leon Maria Guerrero and

“Rizal From Within” by Ante Radaic

As I've read the views of two enthusiast authors, Leon Maria Guerrero ( “The First

Filipino” ) and Ante Radaic ( “Rizal From Within” ). I came up with the idea that Rizal was indeed

the first Filipino despite of his puny physique. Early in his life, he was exposed in racial

discrimination. Regardless of being too weak and small, he had so strong and such anxiety to

improve himself and believed in the importance of will to won over the flesh. He proved that he

was very much taller, by rising above himself.

Filipinos before Rizal was not consider as Filipinos as Rizal. They were simply pushing

their own personal interests and only protecting their respective territories. They were just

people in their own lands. However, disclosing the idea that still they contributed huge impact

in shaping our identity. But Rizal shaped our nationality, this is what made him the first Filipino.

Among our many heroes he was the only one who inspires a nation knowing that Philippines is

an archipelago. That is to say, Rizal, the one that was always dedicated to the primary task of

forming a nation not by a revolution but by intelligence and will to gain independence.

For Rizal, the Filipinos of his generation were not yet ready for revolution because

they were not yet ready for independence, and they were not ready for independence because

they were unworthy of it. In the perspective of the people in his time, freedom can be won at

the point of the sword. That’s not the way in seeking identity and independence. We wouldn’t
want the concept of the phrase “ First Filipino “ be the brain in committing a murder. I declared

Rizal as the first Filipino because all of his sacrifices and the struggles he made were different

and Christ – like. Rizal's martyrdom mirrors Christ's crucifixion and a martyr because he

embrace his death willingly.

His writings, particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo served as the guiding

force of other patriots to rally for the countries cause. The books created a spark that helped in

the success of the Philippine revolution allowing people to condemn the wrong doings of the

friars. Undoubtedly, he was indeed the first Filipino awakening the nation. Above all, if Rizal was

well formed of body and has a normal physique he might never found in himself the force

needed to raise himself higher and the force needed to raise a nation.