Assignment: Reform and Revolution and Mi Ultimo Adios

10 Arguments (Agree with Ambeth Ocampo)

1. Students are often asked who should be the National Hero.
Up until now, there are still people who have a lot of different perspectives and students who are their
national hero. According to (Inquirer .Net, 2020), there should be no competition as to who is better or
greater between the two heroes. They chose different paths, but both genuinely dedicated their lives to our
country. The Philippines would not be the same without these two great men. Rizal’s weapon was the
pen, Bonifacio’s the bolo. Whether the pen is indeed mightier than the sword, what is essential is that
both men fought for the country with all their capabilities and skills.
2. Rizal was not against the revolution, but he thought it was premature.
Rizal do support revolution but he preferred non-violent or peaceful ways to achieve independence for
our motherland. In his point of view, he don't want to use revolution because he knew we are not ready
for that type of means because it's too risky.
3. A poisoned tree cannot produce good fruit.
We agree because he showed that without killing another man , one can fight oppression. He also
demonstrated how the power of the could be stronger than the sword and how someone could bring
changes without violence.
4. Reform was a means to freedom, not the destination.
During Spanish Colonization, Rizal used reformation to make it eye opener on the Philippine issue. And
Rizal’s words rise those matters. Reform isn't the solution but reform and revolution is what makes the
state free from the Spanish colonization.
5. Rizal was American-sponsored hero.
An alleged Philippine Commission meeting when the American colonial government chose Rizal as the
foremost national hero because he was non-violent and reformist, unlike Bonifacio or Aguinaldo.
6. Rizal was considered a hero in his lifetime.
It says that he was honorary president of the Katipunan; that his picture was displayed during Katipunan
meetings; and that his name was one of the passwords of the Katipunan. Then, of course, the annual
commemoration of Rizal’s death each year in Dec. 30, was started by Emilio Aguinaldo’s short-lived
First Philippine Republic in 1898 (before the American colonial period) and continues to our day.
7. Bonifacio looked up Rizal.
Even before the establishment of Revolution, Bonifacio consulted Rizal through an emissary sent in
Dapitan. Despite their different perspective and means to achieve liberty or independence, they have one
goal. Bonifacio thinks that reform created by Rizal isn't enough and he wants to use armed force.
8. Ibarra always looks like Rizal in monuments, with the black coat, book and quill; while Elias
looks like Bonifacio in statues, wearing a white camisa de chino and red kundiman pants, and
carrying a bolo and a flag.
Rizal and Bonifacio did not meet till 1892, during the foundation of the Liga Filipina in Tondo. Rizal
could not have thought of Bonifacio when he published the “Noli” in 1887. Thus, if we are to understand
Rizal correctly (and even astrologically because Rizal is a Gemini), when Ibarra and Elias discuss their
positions on reform and revolution, this is not Rizal and Bonifacio arguing. Rather, both Ibarra and Elias
are Rizal. In the “Noli” we see Rizal thinking aloud, arguing with himself.
9. Constantino conveniently left out are that Rizal was considered a hero in his lifetime
He was an honorary president of the Katipunan; that his picture was displayed during Katipunan
meetings; and that his name was one of the passwords of the Katipunan. Then of course, the annual
commemoration of Rizal’s death each year in December 30 was started by Aguinaldo’s short-lived First
Philippine Republic in 1898.
10. Rizal killed Ellias that presumed that he chose reform over revolution .
As stated by Ocampo, by killing off Elias rather than Ibarra. To make up for this twist in the “Noli,” we
have Simoun in “El Filibusterismo” (1891). Simoun incited violence and the persecution of his people to
move them to revolt. He did not succeed because of the bitterness inside his heart, because everything
must start with pure intentions.

Mi Ultimo Adios
In his poem Mi Ultimo Adios, Rizal praises the beauty of the Philippines and expresses his want for us to
take lessons from the past and understand how the rest of the world sees us. His love of the nation and the
many supporters he had fight for it, for the right to free speech and criticism, are still well-known in
modern times. We value the deeds of national heroes like Rizal and others who have fought for our
nation. As he did while he was alive, Rizal encourages us to be knowledgeable about the past and current
events. By simply opening our eyes, observing what is happening, and being conscious, we can relate to
his point of view in the present. He ensures that he will not conspire in anything dangerous that will cause
harm to others. The choice of peace or destruction is not in his hands, but after hard work and sacrifice,
we can achieve freedom. In the simple poem he wrote, he conveys his love to us and how he gave his life
for the country.

BSC-2102
Buhay, Leo Angelo U.
Clor, Angeline Z.
De Lunas, Carl Joshua
Delleopac, Arabella
Laguardia, Benilyn
Zara, Jasmin M.