REFLECTION PAPER

The relationship between the history of the Philippines and the Filipinos is undeniable. The
poem has a big impact on all the readers. Jose Rizal’s works were remarkable. I do appreciate to
all the old and new revisions of Jose Rizal’s works so that everyone can understand them easily.
Back to the poem, in part of Padre Faura where he witnessed the execution of Rizal, I compare
myself to Rizal, what made Rizal be one of the heroes of the Philippines while I just sitting
around the corner and turning the pages of my book that I love to read and nothing more. I asked
myself what could I have done to my country and also do I have a contribution to have freedom
of what we have experiencing right now? I see myself as Padre Faura in the poem because I did
not do anything to save Rizal’s life. If I were given a chance to go back in the past, I would
continue his legacy which is to make this country free from colonizers. Moreover, I want to see
the hardships they have done back then. Due to the execution of Jose Rizal at Bagumbayan, the
Filipinos were fearless to attain the freedom they wanted. We treated Rizal as a hero, his works
and his spirit will remain in the hearts of Filipinos.

In addition, the major objective of the poem is to point out how Rizal died and how the priest
describes Rizal as a star and a hero who made a possible reform on aiming the independence of
the Philippines. He is recognized as one of the national heroes in the Philippines wherein it is
someone who has made significant positive contributions to the growth and development of
society and represents all of us. All the scenarios in the excerpt by Gina Apostol where the story
is about the story are can be done in the present. We were got astonished by how our national
heroes defended and to achieved the independence of the Philippines. It is how we reflect
ourselves as a human. We would tend to reminisce about all the events before yet we don’t
indulge it and not be proud of what they’ve done. Though all Filipinos had patriotism, their
concerns and being persevering to achieve quiet and orderly governance throughout the country.
Just like in the excerpt we are ungrateful for having freedom and to be exact we made ourselves
blind for seeking the true portrayal as a Filipino. They suffer and died for us and we should act
also to give empathy. Being self-centered is not good. We should be more responsible of the
things of what we do and on how we can achieve this not just for ourselves but for the society,
community, and the country.
 We knew what was our history. It was written in different texts and this gave us hope to try
harder to become a good citizens for the betterment of our nation. I do believe that the historic
events just like the excerpt made us be more excellent in many ways. In reading the excerpt and
the poem we encounter some vocabulary words that are unfamiliar to us. Reading this kind of
text helps us to find the definitions to it and also it helps us to remember the unusual
terminologies that were written in a particular book. This comes whenever we read. That is why
it is important when you read, you put your understanding and analytical skills to the test. It
activates your creativity and enhances your memory regions. It aids with the memory of
knowledge as well as the regulation of emotions.
Whenever we want to read something especially with the long context, it challenged us to be
more dynamic. Through reading, we may share with our family, friends, and peers whatever we
have read. All this enhances our socializing capacity. People are social beings, and we lose our
capacity to socialize in the age of smartphones. However, reading leads to book clubs and other
places where we have the opportunity to discuss and engage. The best example of that is the
excerpt by Gina Apostol in which she made it more crucial but interesting to all the readers.
However, the poem of Danton Remoto was for everyone. We bring our imagination into a
universe built solely on the author's imagination. All the excerpts, poems, written, and digital
texts are important. All these texts bend our emotions. When reading literature, enables us to
enhance our thinking abilities to consider all things. Enthusiastically, the more you read, the
more you comprehend what you read and how it is applied. Why? Because the advantage of
reading books is that they can enhance the abilities of critical thinking. For example, it sharpens
your intellect when reading a mysterious novel. For example, the “Noli Me Tangere” and “El
Filibusterismo” of Jose Rizal. Reading it with passion and love readers would love to give a
perfect compliment. As stated before, we tend to learn new knowledge as we read. We find some
things that make us introspective. We realize them. We are more open-minded and may also
relate to occurrences or happening through reading. What’s the catch is that not all people always
understand what they have read. Sometimes,they have misunderstood it, but what should be done
in terms of reading a particular literature especially from the Philippines is that try to have
passion and eagerness on to it. Reading some literature resembles as how we love the rich culture
and traditions of being a Filipino.