GE 1213: Life and Works of Rizal

Video Essay:
1. Why study Rizal as a student of Civil Engineering? (2 minutes and 17 seconds)
Learning Jose Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, is crucial not just for students of history or
literature but also for civil engineering students. Rizal was a scientist and inventor as well as a
writer and rebel. He studied engineering and surveying at the Ateneo de Manila and became a
successful land surveyor in Hong Kong. He also published various scholarly publications,
including "The Philippines A Century Ago," examining the Philippines' potential regarding natural
resources and human capacities. This book demonstrates Rizal's grasp of the significance of
technology and infrastructure in a country's growth.
Understanding the significance of infrastructure development in a country's success may be
gained through studying Rizal's life and activities. Rizal felt that only education, science, and
technology could lead to progress and development. He also underlined the need to develop
infrastructure linking diverse areas, increasing business, and enhancing people's quality of life.
Rizal, for example, proposed building a railway system in the Philippines to link various areas and
increase traffic.
Moreover, Rizal's life and deeds might motivate civil engineering students to be more socially
conscious. Rizal, a national hero, campaigned for the rights and welfare of the Filipino people,
putting his knowledge and abilities to good use. Civil engineers are essential in changing the
physical environment and increasing people's quality of life. Studying Rizal's life and works may
help students comprehend their societal responsibilities and how their careers might benefit
society.
Furthermore, studying Jose Rizal is essential for civil engineering students because it offers
them a perspective on the relevance of technology and infrastructure in the growth of a nation.
Moreover, Rizal's life and accomplishments might motivate civil engineering students to be more
socially responsible and to put their abilities and knowledge to good use.

2. Identify a contemporary real-world Philippine issue and apply how Rizal would
have addressed the issue as if he is writing his thoughts in La Solidaridad. (2 minutes
and 22 seconds)
One contemporary real-world issue in the Philippines is the problem of inequality and poverty.
According to a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority, as of 2021, the poverty incidence
among Filipinos stood at 16.7%. This issue is familiar in the Philippines and is something Jose
Rizal mentioned in his writings.
If Rizal were writing his thoughts on this issue in La Solidaridad, he would have emphasized
the importance of education and social reform in addressing the root causes of poverty and
inequality. Rizal believed education was the key to the country's development and could empower
the people to create change. He once said, "Without education and liberty, which are the soil and
the sun of man, no reform is possible, no measure can give the result desired" (Retana, 1907, p.
406). Rizal believed that education should be accessible to all, regardless of social status or
economic background.
Rizal also recognized the importance of social reform in addressing poverty and inequality. He
believed that the government should work to create a more just and equitable society. He once
wrote, "It is the duty of the government to give every citizen the same opportunities for progress
and advancement and to protect him from every obstacle that may arise in the path of his
development" (Retana, 1907, p. 401). Rizal would have advocated for policies addressing the root
causes of poverty and inequality, such as land reform, job creation, and social welfare programs.
In conclusion, if Rizal were alive today, he would have addressed the issue of inequality and
poverty in the Philippines by emphasizing the importance of education and social reform. He
would have advocated for policies to create a more just and equitable society where every citizen
has the same opportunities for progress and advancement.

References:
CounterPunch.org. (2013, March 25). The Causes of Global Inequality. Retreived from:
https://www.counterpunch.org/2013/03/25/the-causes-of-global-inequality/
Esquiremag.ph. (2019, December 27). 15 Best Jose Rizal Quotes of All Time. Retreived from:
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/best-jose-rizal-quotes-a00297-20191227-lfrm2
India Business Insight. (2015). 300 Rural Clusters to Be Developed by 2019-2020 (to Bridge the
Rural-Urban Divide and Reduce Migration).
Laya, J. (1996). The relevance of Rizal to contemporary issues. National Historical Institute.
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2021). Poverty incidence among Filipinos registered at 16.7% in
2020. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/content/poverty-incidence-among-filipinos-registered-
167-2020
Retana, W. E. (1907). The life and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal. Manila, Philippines: Philippine
Education Company.
Zaide, G. F. (2008). Jose Rizal: Life, works, and writings of a genius, writer, scientist, and national
hero. National Bookstore.