GE 6 – RIZAL’S LIFE AND WORKS

Name: Aldrin Jeff Jopson Adarlo Subject Code: 829 (GE 6)

Course: BSCE – Structural/2nd year Time.: 9:00 PM – 10:00 AM

Let’s Analyze 2.1 In a historical approach, such as what we use in the course,
knowing relevant facts simply is not enough. A deeper analysis is also necessary to
have a clearer grasp of the stories (kwento). Likewise, generating meaning (kwenta)
from the stories (kwento) is essential in making the study more personal. I now require
you to answer the following items thoroughly.

1. The colourful ancestry of Rizal did not just contain names of long-dead people; it
also tells of the influences that our hero inherited from his forebears. What, in your
understanding, was the biggest influence of his paternal ancestry to the Rizal that we
know?

For me, In what I have noticed, from the Rizal we knew, is that the biggest
influence of his paternal ancestry was being an educated person and wise or smart. As
we can see from his ancestors, they were well-educated and somewhat wise or smart.
In what I have learned from his ancestors and family, that Jose Rizal regarded his
Father, Francisco Engracio Rizal Mercado y Alejandra II, a “model of fathers” where
accordingly, had given them education, a strong-willed, educated and independent-
minded person where believed to be inherited by him.

2. Rizal, based on his ancestry, was from a powerful and influential family. Had Rizal
been born poor and without socio-political influence, would he still be able to
accomplish what he had accomplished about the fight for the Philippines?

As we can see, Rizal has a wealthy and influential family. If we think, if Rizal is
not wealthy and came from a family of poor, this will change some but still able to
accomplish like what he did. It is because accomplishments will not be seen through
how influential you are, but on how you pursue it. If Rizal has that kind of attitude and
character even his not wealthy, he will still accomplish what he is now but changes
might occur. But it will not change the way of what Rizal wants to accomplish, because
if you really want to accomplish something, he will work hard for it and find a way to
accomplish what he wants.

3. What traits that Rizal showed during his scholastic journey in Manila that today’s
students can make much good use of?

As I read the story of Rizal when he was a student like me is that he really wants
to accomplish all his schoolwork, compete, and study hard to gain knowledge about the
surroundings. Rizal is like some of students that want to study hard and gain knowledge
for them can use this knowledge for the betterment of the country they live in. Rizal Has
many traits that students can use for today. He is willing to compete, study hard, and
help people after he graduated. These traits can really help us to be like Rizal and to
help others for the greater good.
4. One source of debate, even today, was the disparity between the performance of
Rizal while he was in the Ateneo and his performance at the UST. Of the reasons
cited for his relatively average performance at the UST, which do you think had
factored in the most?

Rizal really excels in both schools. But to compare both schools, Ateneo was
really factored the most. He really shows in these school the love of studying. He was
even the pride of the Jesuits as he improved his knowledge about things. He shows
excellency in all competitions and to all his subject. Setting aside from his achievements
in Ateneo, in this school, he is more comfortable. He was welcomed and showed a
special attention than to anyone else. Even though he goes to UST to study medicine,
he still goes to Ateneo for some extracurricular activities. To compare it to UST, UST’s
Dominicans are not that good like Jesuits. He hated the Dominican professors who
were cruel and biased to his Filipino classmates who just kept quiet in spite being
humiliated. He even studies to Spain after his 4-year of his medical course because he
was no longer happy in the stay in the Dominican-owned school. He felt “he could no
longer endure rampant bigotry”, the discrimination of the Dominicans and the hostility
prevailing in UST. And that is why Ateneo had really factored him the most and it was
better than his experience in UST.