ANGELO JAY ABAN MR.

LENARD TULOD

READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

 
ACTIVITY 5.

Essay

1. Why was Rizal’s retraction still an issue today?

❖ Because it raises questions about Rizal's character and genuine convictions, as

well as about the legitimacy of the document and the reasons behind it, the
retraction of Rizal is still a contentious issue today. The continuous arguments
and discussions around Rizal's retractions have brought to light the difficulties
of history and the value of analyzing historical narratives and the reasons for
them critically.
2. How would you justify this statement? If Rizal did not retract his anti –
Catholic beliefs and writings, why did he do it? If not, why do you think
so?

The assertion alludes to the contentious question of whether Dr. Jose

Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines, revised his anti-Catholic opinions
and writings prior to his execution. There are various viewpoints and
hypotheses to take into account in the lengthy discussion surrounding
Rizal's retractions. If Rizal did repudiate his anti-Catholic opinions and
writings, some viable defenses may be:
Persuasiveness: It's conceivable that Rizal had a serious change of heart
and wished to rejoin the Catholic Church. Before he passed away, he may
have felt that some of his earlier articles were inaccurate or misinformed
and sought to correct the record.
Family pressure: Rizal's fervently Catholic family may have put pressure on
him to heal fences with the Church. It's possible that Rizal changed his
mind because he loved and cared about his family and wanted to lessen
their suffering and make sure they would be okay when he passed away.
Some contend that Rizal's retractions might have been a calculated ploy to
protect his legacy and reputation. By changing his mind, Rizal may have
intended to avoid being branded a heretic and to guarantee that his
writings would be read and respected even after his passing.
If, however, Rizal did not change his mind, some potential explanations for
the presence of the retraction document might be:
Forgery: According to some historians, the retraction paper was created by
the Catholic Church or the Spanish government in an effort to discredit
Rizal and lessen his impact. They might lessen the significance of Rizal's
writings and the revolutionary struggle in the Philippines by portraying
him as someone who ultimately gave up his principles.
Rizal might have been forced or tricked into signing the retraction form,
perhaps under duress or under danger of harm coming to his family.
The controversy surrounding Rizal's retractions illustrates the complexity
of historical events and the range of possible interpretations. When
attempting to comprehend the intentions and deeds of historical
personalities like Rizal, it is crucial to take into account a variety of
viewpoints and pieces of evidence.