Rizal in me

By: Heidi P. Opada

As a young Filipino, I admire Jose Rizal in different aspects. For me he is a true Filipino
because of what he done for our country. He even sacrificed his own life to get freedom from
Spaniards. Some qualities that would describe Jose Rizal are being open-minded, intelligent and
hardworking. He expressed his love for the Philippines through his novels, essays and articles
rather than through the use of force or aggression. He used his intelligence, talents and skills in
a more peaceful way rather than the aggressive way. Rizal is considered as our greatest hero
because he was capable of revolutionizing the way the Filipino thought. He is a very amazing
person. We all know that Rizal isn’t perfect but the way he fought for the Philippines is such an
admirable one. He enlightens his people about their status in society by writing a novel “Noli
Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo” which are very helpful as of now because we can reminisce
on what happen on our country before, and for us also to enlighten that we should not let
other people bound us.

Those qualities of Rizal are the true characteristics of a Filipino. I want to acquire his
characteristics as a human, someone who is responsible, patriot and a peace-loving person.
Rizal is in me because I feel his love for our country. Everything he did was great and molded
him as national hero. I think Jose Rizal is one of the reasons why Filipinos started to support our
own and to love our land. He made us realized that no one should enslaved us from being a
citizen. It is our right to governed, lead and make our country better. I also realized that there is
always a way to speak up and tell what we feel and what’s the truth in a way that is peaceful.
We deserve freedom from the people who is not giving us respect and not treating us human.
Humanity in this world is such a big problem even from the past until now. Equality is very
important whatever is the standard of living.

There is no doubt that Rizal is the first to envision himself and his country as a nation of
Filipinos and to uphold its liberty from its occupiers. I hope our government has the same mind
like Rizal had. Protecting our country, giving their citizens a better life and especially treat their
people equally, no bias at all. Humanity must spread, don,t be greedy and blind to the situation
of our country. Everyone must hear their protests.