Reflection Paper: Hero’s aspiration and dedication

“ I wish to show those who deny us patriotism that we know how to die for our country
and convictions. “
- Jose P. Rizal

His words which he plucked from his perception and profound wisdom were
indeed, beyonds one comprehension and as I watched the historical drama film made by
Marilou Diaz- Ayala which narrates our hero’s life, as a student I was delighted and
enlightened by how did Jose Rizal helped to free the country from the conquerors without
facing violence with violence.

In the magnum opus, Jose Rizal’s life was represented to be full of challenges. The
hero’s life is not as easy as it seems. He witnessed and experienced the maltreatments of
Spaniards to Filipinos, how they gave torment and anguish to the masses making them
cower as they passed by. Even him, he was abducted due to cases he didn’t do and even
there is no evidence pertaining to his crimes. He became subjected to Spaniards' wrath
due to him opening the eyes of the Filipinos and making a novel that discusses the
corruption and other nefarious things that was done by the people who subjugated the
country.

The patriot chooses to use his knowledge and experiences to fight the Spaniards.
He as a hero is distinguished from the other heroes who fought for our independence.
Instead of using guns and swords he uses his pen to open the mind and spark desire for
the Filipinos to free themselves from the shackles of tyranny and agony. He is the
personification of great wisdom, a blade without sharp edge but a biro fuelled by a
myriad of thoughts, these reasons made him to be Philippines greatest hero, he who
embodies the power to change people by work of arts rather than shedding blood.

As a student, I am still unclear what life has in store for me however as they say “
things teaches you something about life unexpectedly “ and I could relate this phrase to
the movie itself because this movie is not just a narration Rizal’s life, but a story that
fruits appreciation and deep consideration for our history. I couldn’t imagine how Rizal
never get exhausted both mentally and physically, he knew that there might be no hope in
doing anything to prove yourself when you are under the government of corrupt
individuals yet he still tried, he never falter infront of those who holds enmity towards
him because of what he writes. There is an exact moment in the film that caught my
attention and it is during Rizal’s arraignment when he was talking to Luis Taviel de
Andrade, his lawyer who will represent him in court, they were conversing when Rizal
asked him if he sees what he see or if Taviel refraining himself to see the truth, by his
words I was encapsulated by the fact that there are people that time who fell to depravity
and chooses not to fight for themselves however due to our hero’s persistence he
obviously rekindle their desire to free themselves.

I could still remember that very moment that Rizal asked the executor that if he
will be shot he should not be blindfolded and face his shooters to depict his conviction
that he is ready to sacrifice his life for his country however it was denied, as how he
experience some of eleven evils during Spaniards reign. As the movie started I witnessed
how cruel the individuals with power during that time they treated the indios to be
beneath them and equality was severed that albeit the fact that it is just a portrayal of
what happened almost three hundred years ago, it felt like I go back in time and I was on
that very moment. It is clear that if we want to truly understand and free ourselves from
the chains of those that kept holding us back, we must use those things to continue
moving forward and not let ourselves sink deeper. This film will truly open your eyes to
appreciate our history and especially the work of Jose Rizal. As a Filipino youth, I am
still unbeknownst to some truth yet I am eager to further enlighten myself. The story of
Rizal is not just a story written and filmed, it is a story where lessons are stored, his
bravery contributed for Filipinos admiration to him and for me he was the one who open
up the path for other heroes to come forward and take action, it is truly astonishing to
know more about him a person who patronize his country more than himself.

To sum up everything I have mentioned in this reflection, Rizal for me is a sage of

wisdom, a true hero and a person who was gifted but uses his knowledge to fight and give
hope to the people of our archipelago.He is a hero, that even he has no special power,
even though he is ordinary individual he finds strength from the people he truly admire
and found the power to persevere and endure in spite of the overwhelming obstacles. I
hope that his story continues to inspire others that in times of doubt we always have to
face the enemies blocking our path no matter what and who they are. If it is the best thing
to do for ourselves and for others, we should never hesitate in giving a hand and helping
others as true victory belongs not to those that wield sharp blades but to those who bear
sharp minds.