I would be lying if I say that learning the life, works and writings of Rizal is an easy task.

But
before I further discuss my experiences, struggles and learnings I gained in the first semester of my
Second year in College, I would first like to thank my outstanding Instructor, Mr. Emmanuel Bacud. Mr.
Bacud during the first meeting, terrifies me. I found it hard to digest every word he say, neither the
endless requirements he makes us do to the point where I almost dropped the subject. However, after all
of the sleepless nights, health at stake, I couldn’t be more thankful and blessed for God has prevented me
from dropping the subject. I can just imagine myself smiling triumphantly for I survived this semester
without dropping the subject I never thought would be my favourite. Also, I would like to thank Sir
Bacud for always sharing with us his experiences and principles in life, as well as enlightening us the
difference between being a “Perfectionist” and “Excellent”. I have always been the perfectionist type of
person and I always hate it whenever I could not achieve something I want to do. But after Sir Bacud’s
advice, I have come to learn that it isn’t bad to create mistakes nor not achieve the things you want to
achieve for that itself should not hinder you from progressing for it should be the other way around. Thus,
I am glad I did not drop the subject or else I would have live my life full of regrets.

Moving on, learning Rizal’s life, works and writings is not an easy task. We had to dig deeper,
apply necessary critical thinking and analytical skills in order to understand who Rizal really is. I have
always loved the subject History during elementary and junior High school days. As a college student, it
saddens me that a lot of teachings during my high school and elementary days differ from the teachings
with factual basis I have come to acquire in the subject of GRizal today. However, that motivated me to
study Rizal’s life even more for me to be able to correct the teachings in the lower levels. I appreciate
how our instructor made us use our skills, we never thought we have, in the subject. One is how we can
improve our cognitive skills in answering complicated jumbled words. Furthermore, I am happy because
through this subject, I have come to realize and reflect to myself, “Ah, sa wakas, may natutunan din ako.”
In addition to all of this, I couldn’t contain my happiness as to how approachable our instructor and how
open he is in answering my queries. I have always been the active student who never fails to express an
opinion or raise a question. With this, my name is often connected with the word “Pabibo” and this
worsened my inferiority complex. Therefore, I am thankful once again for having a great instructor whom
I wish could be my friend in the future.

Contributions of the Subject in my Academic and Professional Growth

At the beginning of the semester, when I was introduced to the subject of Rizal, I thought to
myself, “Rizal na naman? Bakit kailangan pa naming pag-aralan ulit si Rizal eh mula Elementary ay siya
na ang bukambibig ng mga teachers namin dati.” With these thoughts in my mind, I attempted to drop the
subject. I never thought the subject could possibly give or provide me knowledge since I have already
sufficient information about the life of Rizal. However, encountering Rizal once again in this semester
made me question how well do I really know Dr. Jose Rizal?

The life of Jose Rizal was a truly inspiring story. Not just as an ordinary story of a Filipino but a
story of a very intelligent and talented Filipino, who is ready to sacrifice his whole life just to give
freedom and peace to his family, and own nation. For one semester, I’ve known who really Rizal is. It
might not be all about him, but those learning’s and knowledge I learned, is enough to say to myself and
to other Filipino and even not, that he deserves to be what he have known for today. And that is, the
National Hero of the Filipino. His life was truly amazing and colorful for the hero’s experiences mold
him to what God purposely do to him. One of the most unforgettable lesson I have learned are about the
religious sector who perceived Rizal as their god or saint. I am not here to bash the different factions
created in commemoration of Rizal but I have come to realize that I am lucky enough to be learning new
things and preventing me to think that Rizal is not just a hero but also a god. Thus saving me from a
bunch of criticisms and being the laughing stock of the history. Hehe

Jose Rizal, for my own insights, tells me the value of certain things which is important for the
success of his life. That is God, Family, Country and Self. He could not reach as that far without God.
The Lords is the most important one who could determine our success, just like as Rizal feared God and
in return, he have been bless abundantly not by material things only  but a spiritual one. Also the role of
family is next important for Rizal had been blessed with a family who could guide him to what he really
aims. Even nowadays, family is one of the foundations of a person’s character. Next one is country. For
Rizal’s portray the love of the country as a means of loving his fellow Filipino, thus helping them to
attain justice from the evil and corrupt priest and Spaniards who are mistreating them in their own land
for God has created us to extend our help with our fellow as a symbol of glorifying Him. And last is Self.
I have learned from Rizal’s life that you should make yourself fruitfully. He makes himself grow to
wisdom and knowledge to use it in God’s purpose. He did not say to himself that he is not worth enough
and live blind for what is happening in his environment. Thus, he is knows that he is a child of God.

Moreover, Rizal proved that pen is mightier than a sword. For his expertise in writings enable
him to convince his whole fellowmen to attain justice, thus destroying an empire. For words flies
wherever and ignites every man’s feelings. Therefore, studying Rizal surely ignited and opened my heart
and mind as well as contributing greatly to my academic and professional growth.
 Brief Biography Contribution to the Society

Macliing Dulag was a Macliing became a strong

respected elder of the and articulate figure in this
Macli-ing Dulag Butbut tribe in the tiny struggle which pitted small
mountain village of Bugnay nearly powerless
in the 1960s. He was communities in the
a pangat, one of those Cordilleras against the full
listened to by the powers of the martial law
community because of their regime. Kalinga and Bontok
wisdom and courage. He leaders were offered bribes,
was also the elected barrio harassed by soldiers and
captain of Bugnay, serving government mercenaries,
out three terms since 1966. even imprisoned. But the
anti-dam leaders, including
Macliing, stayed firm in
their opposition to the
project. They argued that
development should not be
achieved at such extreme
sacrifice.

Dr. Josette T. Biyo (born

Dr. Josette Biyo 1958; née Talamera) is a Biyo's methodology
Filipino educator and encourages students to adopt
former executive director of several learning and life
the Philippine Science High behaviors, in order to
School System. She has maximize their career
received international potential.
recognition for her
contributions to science and
education.

Daniel initiated many other Daniel initiated many other

public service initiatives in public service initiatives in
Efren UNTv. These include full UNTv. These include full
scholarship programs for scholarship programs for
students, free public students, free public
transportation, free roving transportation, free roving
 Penaflorida medical and legal medical and legal
consultation, free medicine, consultation, free medicine,
livelihood and feeding livelihood and feeding
programs, and schools. programs, and schools. They
They have also made their have also made their
ambulances available to ambulances available to
responders during responders during
calamities. calamities. Daniel sustains
the budget of the company’s
Daniel sustains the budget efforts through concerts,
of the company’s efforts indie films and production
through concerts, indie events with the support of
films and production events NGOs and the Church of
with the support of NGOs God International, popularly
and the Church of God known as Ang Dating Daan.
International, popularly
known as Ang Dating Daan.

Manny Pacquiao, in full Pacquiao’s story has given

Emmanuel Dapidran athletes and fans all over the
Manny Pacquiao Pacquiao, byname Pac- world the inspiration to pull
Man, (born December 17, off the impossible, like he
1978, Kibawe, Bukidnon did in setting records in the
province, Mindanao, ring. As well as helping
Philippines), professional thousands of people with his
boxer, media celebrity, and projects including his newly
politician. built hospital.

Jesse Manalastas Robredo Jesse Robredo lived a life of

(May 27, 1958 – August 18, service with a strong
2012) was the Secretary of commitment to help the
the Interior and Local poor. His early years in
Government of the Naga were formative in this
Philippines. Robredo was a respect. According to
member of the Liberal Aceron and Isaac, Robredo
Party. grew up and became friends
with poor children coming
from a nearby urban poor
community. This experience
“opened his eyes to the
Jesse Robredo sharp division between the
rich and the poor.”

Raffy Tulf Raffy Tulfo (born March Styling himself as The

12, 1960) is a Filipino
broadcast journalist whose
work focuses on
government and private
sector issues. He has a
weekday afternoon radio
program entitled, Wanted sa
Radyo, on Radyo5 92.3
News FM with Niña
Taduran. The program
focused on helping the poor
on battling the red tapes of
society.
Equalizer, as it were, Tulfo
aggressively takes on the
police, politicians, priests—
people normally held in high
regard by polite society —
and subjects them to
thunderous hectoring,
bullying and public shaming,
all calculated to give
vicarious satisfaction to his
aggrieved guests. Rather
than endure further verbal
assault, his subjects
invariably accede to Tulfo’s
harangues, never mind if the
proceedings violate due
process or bypass proper
forums. Instant justice is
what counts. Thus has
“Isumbong mo kay Tulfo”
become a prominent part of
the lexicon of the poor—and
a manifestation of the sorry
state of the country’s justice
system.

Daniel Razon Born in Bulacan on October Aside from being a top

11, 1967, Daniel Razon was media man,
reared in a close-knit, Kuya Daniel has been
religious family. Taught to sponsoring orphanages,
read at an early age, he was scholarship grants, medical
already reciting poems and missions and feeding
biblical verses at the age of programs, among a few from
three before the his multitude of charitable
congregation of the Church projects for the benefit of the
where his family is member youth

Gina Lopez Regina Paz "Gina" La'O Lopez was a vehement anti-
 López (December 27, 1953 mining advocate, known for
– August 19, 2019) was a her stance against large-
Filipino environmentalist scale mining in the province
and philanthropist who of Palawan. She backed the
served as Secretary of the No Mining In Palawan
Philippines' Department of Movement. She also
Environment and Natural objected to the use of fossil
Resources (DENR) in an ad fuels as sources of energy
interim basis under and coal mining.
President Rodrigo Duterte.

Rizal himself sacrificed his own life to be able to save the Filipinos from the hands of the
colonizers, Spaniards. The short biography of the aforementioned people in the table that shows their
contributions to the society as to why they are being referred as one of the modern heroes are something
we could not ignore. Some died fighting for freedom, others fought until they have died through a natural
death. But with all these contributions in the society, can they be really considered as hero?

According to researchers, empathy, and compassion for others are key variables that contribute to
heroic behavior. People who rush in to help others in the face of danger and adversity do so because they
genuinely care about the safety and well-being of other people. One study found that people who have
heroic tendencies also have a much higher degree of empathy. People who engage in acts of heroism feel
concern and care for the people around them and they are able to feel what those in need of help are
feeling (Cherry, 2019). According to heroism researchers Zimbardo and Franco, heroes have two
essential qualities that set them apart from non-heroes: they live by their values and they are willing to
endure personal risk to protect those values. Their values and personal beliefs give them the courage and
resolve to endure risk and even danger in order to adhere to those principles.

It takes both skill and self-confidence to rush in where others fear to tread. Researchers suggest
that people who perform heroic acts tend to feel confident in themselves and their abilities. When faced
with a crisis, they have an intrinsic belief that they are capable of handling the challenge and achieving
success no matter what the odds. Part of this confidence might stem from above-average coping skills and
abilities to manage stress. A person who rushes into a burning building to save another person is not just
extraordinarily brave; he or she also possesses an ability to overcome fear. Researchers suggest that
heroic individuals are positive thinkers by nature, which contributes to their ability to look past the
immediate danger of a situation and see a more optimistic outcome. In many cases, these individuals may
also have a higher tolerance for risk. Plenty of caring and kind people might shrink back in the face of
danger. With these said, although these people did not die a tragic death unlike Rizal himself, they are
considered as the modern hero fighting for the sake of other people. We can all be heroes in our own way.
If I can do it, surely you can as well!

“The youth is the hope of the motherland”

“The youth is the hope of the motherland.” This is just one of idioms that our Philippine national
hero Dr. Jose Rizal once enunciated. This means that the future of our nation lies on the hands of the
youth of today. More so, the youth have the power to reshape the nation's present appearance.  However,
this meaningful and echoing idiom has been passing through our ears for years but it seems that no
improvement has evolved.
 The generation of Rizal has gone a long time ago and the said idiom traveled from generation to
next generation but the brilliant idiom has molded nothing. Filipinos just keep on murmuring this line but
they take no moves to actuate their stand. Even though there are few who really pursue their patriotism,
they are overshadowed by the many that decline to move.
The progress of a nation does not solely depend on the youth, but on all the people. We might
have doubts on how the youth can shape the image of hope when in fact they are still young and
dependent on their parents. They do not have the voice in national affairs and they are currently striving
with their lessons in schools. We are considering the youth as the nation’s hope for transformation, and
that they are going to take the gigantic task of running the nation in the future. They will take charge of
everything tomorrow. That is why, these days, the present society formulates empowerment activities to
train the youth’s potentials as servant leaders of tomorrow.
 Our brain can think of brilliant ideas and thoughts, so let us use these ideas for a noble purpose of
helping our nation. Our eyes can see the reality, so let us bear witness to truth and honesty. Our ears can
hear the vibrations of humanity, so let’s listen to their point-of-views. Our nose can smell the fragrance of
exceptional achievement, so let us embrace the essence of success. Our mouth can speak the words of
wisdom, so let us stick to the principles of morality and share it to the world. Our hands have the mighty
power of writing, of doing things, so let us start working on the picture of innovative leadership. Our
hearts can feel the beat of the humankind, so let us offer them affection. And finally, our knees are supple,
so let’s accept the corrections of our mistakes and learn from it.
We, as young people, as young professionals, should look around and get involved in what is
happening around us. Let us open our eyes and look on the bright side of every action. OUR NATION
NEEDS US. Our motherland that is brazenly neglected needs our idealisms and fresh perspective of
leadership just like us who need the guidance of our elders. Let’s speak out and let our voices be heard.
We are educated; thus, we are aware of the goodness of every action. We are rational gift from God; thus,
we can identify right from wrong. Let us not put this into waste. The time is now.

“In the modern days, nationalism is the enemy of the modern development of history.”

I disagree with the statement above. Nationalism is a modern movement. Throughout history
people have been attached to their native soil, to the traditions of their parents, and to established
territorial authorities, but it was not until the end of the 18th century that nationalism began to be a
generally recognized sentiment molding public and private life and one of the great, if not the greatest,
single determining factors of modern history. Whilst modernization, in sociology, the transformation from
a traditional, rural, agrarian society to a secular, urban, industrial society. Modern society is industrial
society. To modernize a society is, first of all, to industrialize it. Historically, the rise of modern society
has been inextricably linked with the emergence of industrial society. All the features that are associated
with modernity can be shown to be related to the set of changes that, no more than two centuries ago,
brought into being the industrial type of society. This suggests that the terms industrialism and industrial
society imply far more than the economic and technological components that make up their core.
Industrialism is a way of life that encompasses profound economic, social, political, and cultural changes.
It is by undergoing the comprehensive transformation of industrialization that societies become modern.
With the given definition of both Nationalism and Modernization, I highly disagree that
nationalism is something that would hinder a country to prosper. Nationalism is the love for your own
country. Accepting the changes that is occurring every second of the day is not something that could
create conflict with the love we should have for the country who has suffered and lives were sacrificed in
order to save from the hands of the colonizers. There is nothing wrong with how we transform our
country to become a better one. But nationalism is a social responsibility. We are called to serve and
perform our duty to our fellow countrymen.
REFERENCES

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Chua, M. (2019). Gina Lopez and public history – The Manila Times. Retrieved 1 December 2019, from
https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/08/31/opinion/columnists/gina-lopez-and-public-history/608696/

Daniel Razon. (2019). Retrieved 1 December 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Razon

Daniel Razon: A Biography - Daniel Razon. (2019). Retrieved 1 December 2019, from
https://www.danielrazon.com/bio/daniel-razon-a-biography

DULAG, Macli-ing – Bantayog ng mga Bayani. (2015). Retrieved 1 December 2019, from
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Inquirer, P. (2019). Tulfo justice. Retrieved 1 December 2019, from

https://opinion.inquirer.net/125563/tulfo-justice

Josette Biyo: Filipina educator in the sciences; namesake of asteroid - Biography, Life, Family, Career,
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La Vina, D. (2012). Jesse Robredo, a man for others. Retrieved 1 December 2019, from
https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/10926-jesse-robredo,-a-man-for-others

Lozada, B. (2016). Manny Pacquiao: An inspiration to Filipino athletes. Retrieved 1 December 2019,
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