Name: Sucaldito, Marynella

Section: A5

GEC 109/ HIST 5

Assignment No. 8

1. Discuss your own reflection for your assigned readings. Your answer shall
manifest Dr. Jose Rizal had expressed his love for the Filipinos and the
Philippines. (90 pts.)

Reflection for “El Filibusterismo”

Jose Rizal has been known to be the national hero of the Philippines for
nothing. He became a symbol of the Philippine struggle for independence. His
works and writings manifest how he truly loves his country and countrymen.
Some of his known and famous writings are “Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo”.

Upon reading the novel "Noli Me Tangere" opens the Filipinos' eyes to
how the Spaniards treat fellow Filipinos and their sacrifices under their ruling.
It presented the mistreatment and grief that shows Spaniards of their
selfishness, cruelty, and abuse. This novel described his unconditional love
for our country and family. It leaves us a lesson that despite all the sufferings,
struggles, and pain, we must be able to do and keep on trying to do our best
to achieve our desire for freedom and to help other people. The love for the
family portrayed by one of Sisa's character, who in the novel all did was to find
her children and continue to love them until her last breath. Relating to this
context shows that when a mother has a family to love, all shortcomings and
problems cannot stop her from loving her family. Like what Jose Rizal did, he
treats his country land a family, so he did his best to get the freedom we
deserve until his last breath. Thus, this novel also presented the act of
forgiveness and sacrifice.
 In conclusion, his first novel “Noli Me Tangere” has a lot of symbolisms
and real-life events during the Spanish colonization that opened the eyes of
the Filipino people for the truth. The novel's theme is also to embrace
nationalism and it also appeals to us today to embrace change in ourselves.
By following the constitution, embracing the Philippine tradition, and
recognizing the true goal of the nation, we must patronize our country by
encouraging each other to make the country better. It teaches us the concepts
of wisdom, to fight against what is right, and to love our country. In order not
to replicate history itself by learning how to love our country and inspire young
people as a force to transformation for our country, this novel is taught in
school. Being a true Filipino is what he wishes us to be, knowing who we are
will help the country prosper and what our real aspirations are.

Reflection for “El Filibusterismo”

The “El Filibusterismo” is the second novel of Rizal that was considered a
continuation of his first novel “Noli Me Tangere”. This second novel focuses
on politics and governmental issues in our country and also on the Spanish
government. The method of ruling the Philippines by corrupt and self-seeking
politicians, governed in one way or another by the friars and submissive to
their needs, can only lead to disaster for Spain. The government is subjective,
barbaric, utterly devoid of a sense of fairness or transparency, and without
any concern or belief in the people it rules. They misuse their power to satisfy
vile lusts; to deprive men of their lands; to maintain their monopoly of
education; often pursuing their own needs rather than that of the country, or
even of Spain. The friars are portrayed in even darker colors than in Noli.

In conclusion, it is dark and brutal, with many happenings of killing, sexual

abuse, and suicide. The characters have strong personalities; however, there
is an important lesson that we must consider. We may have strong
personalities to protect our dignity, but we should not let ourselves live with
violence and anger. These two have become familiar to people nowadays but
must keep in mind to always learn to seek solutions that could not harm other
people.
 Reflection for “My Last Farewell”

The last writing of Rizal was “His friend gave my Last Farewell” title
because he did not have a title before he died. His last writing is about how
thankful his to serve his country and give honor to his family and country. He
expresses no regret but only gladness, knowing that in giving his life, he is
giving his country the most generous gift any citizen could offer.

One of the martyrs who voluntarily sacrificed his life for the sake of our
independence is Dr Jose Rizal, our national hero. He is one of the Filipinos
who are inspiring the other Filipinos to open their minds and be together to
combat the colonialism of Spain. Compared to Andres Bonifacio, the founder
of "Katipunan," Rizal's kind of combat style of the Spaniards might not be as
brutal. However, it still became successful for tightening the strain between
the Spaniards and the Filipinos. Even though Rizal died before freedom is
achieved, we Filipinos should thank him for being one of the people who
contributed significantly to our country's freedom. And we must give honor for
their sacrifices, and we should love our country even more and appreciate the
freedom they gain for the sake of the future generation-our generation.

In conclusion, to express love and gratitude for our country but not like
what Jose Rizal did, we can be a hero in many different ways. May not be the
same on what Rizal and other Filipinos did, but this can become massive
support to our country, and this will be my application to my realization. First,
to boost our economy, we can still promote our local goods and services.
Second, we can study well and fulfil it and even have our job to contribute to
taxes where people may use it for some public services and infrastructures
that our country will develop in this. The third and last one, too, is that we
should respect and be proud of our race. These are just some of the ways
that we can support our country, and you can have your own as well.