Against all odds

Rizal manifested the highest virtues being a Filipino. He struggled and won in the face of the most
arduous situations, and inspired the Katipunaneros to revolt, and thereby helped found the first
independent Republic of Asia.

Focus on your goal(s)

Fighting injustice in society was Rizal’s sole motto. Night and day, all he dreamed of was to free fellow
Filipinos. Rizal became a leader of the reformist movement called Propaganda, an unwavering campaign
for political and social freedoms. He wrote unceasingly for the La Solidaridad and even wrote two novels
to reveal the atrocities of the Spanish colonials. These led to his assassination, but he died a hero.

Keep personal life away from work

While we do not live in such tumultuous times as Rizal's, it is important to keep distractions away from
every workday. Rizal was so focused on the work that he did not allow loved ones or even his own
preferences or emotions come in the way.

Pride of representing a brand

You don’t have to be a model, actor, sportsperson or lead any kind of glamorous existence in order to
own representation of your employer. If you work for a company, you’re automatically their face. Your
values, hard work and personal ethics play an important part in its growth. So be proud and own it
responsibly. Rizal too read extensively to prove the merit of the pre-colonization culture of Filipino.

Use your time to the fullest

Rizal spent much of his time in self-improvement via self-education. Not only was he busy academically,
but he also learned sculpture, painting, languages including German, and kept up with the latest
conversations globally in philosophy and science. Even in exile in Dapitan (a remote town in Mindanao),
he used his time in cataloging the local animal kingdom and plants to share with fellow revolutionists.

You too can take a leaf from his life and become a better version of yourself every day. Whether by
taking an online or after-hours course at the local university, acquiring a new hobby, or being part of a
hobby circle, or even just reading instead of spending hours in front of your (not-so-) smart tv or phone!
There’s a virtue in giving

Rizal always led a frugal existence, including staying hungry at meals to pay rent and skipping outings to
stay on track with his medical education. In Dapitan, even though he won the lottery, he relinquished all
his winnings to build light and water infrastructure, and a school for fellow citizens, where he taught as
well as offered free medical treatment.