Herdy R.

Dimanlig
BSIT – 2A

I. REFLECTION PAPER

My Retreat

In my retreat its story is about someone who leaves the chaos of the modern world to
be a lone and reflect on nature what he did is really inspiring for someone who has
everything it’s not easy to give up all of it. And it’s good that they use it to ease the pain
silence the grief or forget the stress of life. He lived there as a simple man as a farmer
and built three houses made from bamboo wood and nipa. Look how simple Rizal life
there If I were him, I don’t know if I can be simple as him. It’s not easy to do it during
their time because first he is in his exile means he is far away from his family and
there’s a lot of Spanish who is against him because of his works. In his work, my retreat
he also offers it for his mother because it requests to revive his interest in writing poem.

Even if her mother know that Rizal works is the reason why Rizal is being exile that
time, she keeps on supporting his son interest and for me it was very touching because
her mother still supporting him whatever may happen to him as long as she knows it
make her son happy. It just an indication also that life can still be abundant and full of
achievement. But he remains contented about the thing he has while he is in his exile in
Dapitan enjoying the nature in dapitan discovering new things like animals and plants
and he also do some research and help those kids who need help. But especially he
never forgets God who always with him. That was one of the things that I admire about
Jose Rizal he never forgets to thank God who crate us even if he had a hard time in his
life because of the boastful Spanish who just think about their self. Those Spanish who
wants to own the Philippines.

And during his stay there he realizes something that the things will remain as what they
were like in life wherever you go if you were a Pilipino you will remain Pilipino you will
stay what god made you whether you like it or not.” His choice to stay and die in his own
solitude and decide to return to the world from which he once chose to retreat” is one of
the best that anyone will do loving your country and giving your life for it. Not all Pilipino
can do what Rizal do for our country even if he is the one who is suffering because of
someone mistake is okay for him if he knows that his fellow Pilipino is safe from the
arms of heartless Spanish.
 II. MAIN IDEA OF THE POEM

Rizal also shares his feelings in the poem, that he is sad and alone, as if he was pulled
into the world he knows and knows him, and he is hidden because of his beliefs and
knowledge. His love for his loved ones, even if they are far away from him, even if they
have left him or passed away, he will never forget.

Rizal's godliness is also shown in the verses of the poem. He says he has a friend who
will never leave him, giving him strength and belief when he doubts. And this belief he
kept and his hope, that even though he was about to die, happiness prevailed and the
song of victory for what was right.

He compares himself to a butterfly, which moves from flower to flower and always has a
dream content. Like him who left his home as a child and went to different countries
where he learned a lot. And like a bird that after flying to a distant place will return to its
home. He was very tired, when he returned to the Philippines, his wings were worn out,
there were new trials as fierce as a monster, and his faith was broken and destroyed.

And Rizal states that it is painful for him to be exiled far from the town he loves. And all
his dreams come back, as only the hopes of the people, the young hopes of the people
can do.

And in the end, he thanked God, because such an event was imposed on him. That
God knows when to stop his wandering mind, to bring him back to the beloved land of
origin. This shows Rizal's religiosity and deep love for the country, that until the end, he
would want to die in his own country.

What really impresses Rizal is that he had the courage to write a poem with this theme,
if he knew that he might be sentenced to death.

III. PURPOSE OF THE POEM

Rizal wrote this about his life as an exile in Dapitan. He described the hut he built by the
sea where the sand was soft and fine. This hut is also at the foot of the mountain where
it is shady and quiet, where he can rest his mind and emotions.

If you read the poem, you will see that the place where Rizal lived was very peaceful.
There is a stream that "sings as it flows" and at night there is a "whisper that makes you
sleepy", but when it rains its current has a "speed like no other". Nothing breaks the
silence but the growling of the dog, the song of the bird and the neighing of the horses.
When Rizal looked at the sea, it was as if he had claimed it. If anything, he is the only
person who lives by the sea so it can be said that the sea belongs to him.

This poem is said by some critics to be Rizal's best, and some of us agree. When you
read the entire poem, it's like you're temporarily transported to a peaceful place, where
you'll see the sea smiling at you, you'll experience the pleasure of the wind blowing, and
at night you'll hear the sometimes-peaceful whisper of the environment and sometimes
scary animal noises. Also at night, Rizal says that when the waves get stronger and the
wind howls, he thinks, it drowns out the voices, crying and singing, the sadness and
drags him into nothingness. And the trees are humming as if there are souls watching
over and welcoming the people who live there. But when morning comes, there is a new
sunshine that will light up your heart and you will feel safe and peaceful.

IV. LEARNINGS

my retreat shows how great you are even you are a slave; you are optimistic and sees great
things ahead even you are in that situation. Thanks for inspiring us, your children. May your
poems inspire more children in the next generation.