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The First Filipino by Leon Ma. Guerrero (1974)

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
College of Business Administration
Sta. Mesa Manila

A Reflection Paper about

“The First Filipino” by Leon Ma. Guerrero

Alvarez, Mike Benedict P.

BSOA 4-1N

Prof. Jacinto R. Valila Jr.

May 16, 2022

 “The First Filipino” by Leon Ma. Guerrero (1974)

The book entitled the first Filipino by Leon Ma. Guerrero is a must read for all
Filipinos as the author gives us glimpse on how Rizal became the first Filipino since
there was no clear definition of a Filipino before him. Leon Ma. Guerrero didn’t
disappoint us as he provided answers on how Philippine History has been constructed.
As stated in the preface of the book that like most Filipinos, school taught us that Rizal
had died for our country, shot by the Spaniards. But then, I discovered that when he
died is not that important it is the way he lived, and, since his life was essentially an
apostleship, not so important as what he thought and wrote. This phrase encourages us
students to become more aware and have deeper understanding of all Rizal fought and
died for.

On June 19, 1861, José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born
and died on December 30, 1896. He was a Filipino nationalist, writer, and polymath
active during the Spanish Colonial Period. He is an intelligent person who was an
inspiration to the Philippine nationalist movement. He is a son of a wealthy landowner.
Rizal studied at Ateneo De Municipal established by Jesuits. He was considered an
inferior and was placed at the bottom of the class but by the end of the month, he
became the best and received a prize, a religious picture. He took private lessons at
Santa Isabela College to improve his Spanish. He got five medals and graduated as
sobresaliente during his fourth year at Ateneo. Rizal graduated on March 23, 1877, at
the age of 16 years old. He received the degree of bachelor’s arts, with the highest
honor, not a valedictorian. After graduating, he pursued his education at University of
Santo Tomas he finished a year in philosophy and letters but then he decided to shift to
a medical course for a reason that he wanted to be physician so that he could cure his
mother’s failing eyesight due to cataracts. He pursued his studies in Medicine during the
school term 1878-1879. The Hospital de San Juan de Dios in Intramuros served as his
training ground in medicine for 4 years. He earned a "remarkable" overall score in all
subjects and was the second best student in a depleted class of seven graduates of
medical school in his fourth year of college. After that, Rizal decided to study in Spain.
His departure to Spain was kept secret from the Spanish Authorities, friars, and even
his parents especially his mother because she would not allow him to go. To escape
identification, he went under the name Jose Mercado. He enrolled in Universidad
Central de Madrid taking up Philosophy & Letters and Medicine on November 3, 1882.
However, on June 21, 1884, he was awarded the Licentiate in Medicine degree. His
grades in the medical courses were fair and good unlike in Ateneo where he got all
excellent grades in all subjects. The following academic year, he studied and passed all
subjects leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine but unfortunately, he was not able
to submit the thesis required for graduation nor paid the corresponding fees. He did not
earn his Doctor's Diploma as a result. He also finished his studies in Philosophy &
Letters with higher grades and was awarded the Degree of Licentiate by the
Universidad Central de Madrid on June 19, 1885, with the rating of excellent. After that,
Jose Rizal went to Paris and Germany for him to specialized in ophthalmology because
of his desire to cure his mother’s growing blindness due to cataract. After studying at
Madrid Central University in 1885, At the age of 24, Rizal went to Paris to learn more
about ophthalmology. Rizal left Paris and went to Heidelberg, Germany on February 3,
1886. He worked there under the direction of Dr. Otto Becker, a distinguished German
ophthalmologist at the University Eye Hospital. Rizal was fascinated by the flowers that
bloom in Neckar, the light blue flowers called "Forget-me-nots". Therefore, on April 22,
1886, He was prompted to write a poem titled A las Flores de Heidelberg (To the
Flowers of Heidelberg). ). He arrived at Leipzig on August 24, 1886, wherein he
attended some lectures at the University of Leipzig on history and psychology. Rizal had
reasons why he resides in Germany longer, he wanted to gain further in his studies in
science and languages. He observed the economic and political conditions of the
German nation, he also want to associate with the famous scientists and scholars, and
lastly, to publish his novel which is the Noli Me Tangere. Jose Rizal obtained a
Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid where he also took courses
in philosophy and literature. While he attended classes at the University of Paris, he
began writing Noli Me Tangere, and in 1887, at the University of Heidelberg, he
completed his eye specialization. It was the same year that Rizal’s first novel was
published in Berlin. The travel and adventure of Rizal due to his education helps him to
become more aware about the different culture during his journey, also for his mission
in the Philippines. With this, it became his inspiration for Reform.

The Rizal family is well known to be the biggest families during their time. His
parents, Francisco Engracio Rizal Mercado y Alejandro who was the youngest, born in
Biñan, Laguna on April 18, 1818; studied in San Jose College, Manila; and died in
Manila, and Teodora Alonso died on August 16, 1911. On June 19, 1861, Jose Rizal
was born in Calamba, Laguna the second son and the seventh child. He was baptized
at the Catholic of Calamba on June 22, 1861, by the parish priest Rev. Rufino Collantes
with Rev. Pedro Casañas as the sponsor. The parochial church of Calamba and the
canonical books on September 28, 1862, were burned including the book in which
Rizal’s baptismal records. Rizal learned alphabet from his mother by the age of 3 years
old. In 1865, where his sister died when he was four years old, it was the occasion that
Rizal remembered having shed for the first time. During the year of 1865-1867 his
mother taught him to read and write. His father hired a classmate namely Leon Monroy
who taught Rizal the rudiments of Latin. Uncle Manuel Alberto the cousin of his mother
saw Rizal weak and frail body, his uncle was concerned about his physical development
while growing and he taught the latter loved the outdoors and cultivated a great
admiration for the beauty of nature within him. He gave advised to Rizal to work and
perform every task carefully, learn to be swift as well as thorough, be independent and
make visual pictures of everything. According to the researchers, the family Mercado-
Rizal had also traced of Japanese, Spanish, Malay, and even Negrito blood aside from
Chinese.

Rizal was a man of thought and ideas that is why he produced volumes of works
like novels, essays, fables, and poems. His writings inspired Filipino people longing for
liberty and independence, wherein Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo led more radical
forces boldly and relentlessly pursued. Theoretically, he “midwifed” our independence.
“Mi Ultimo Adios” is a masterful verse in Spanish written by Rizal before his dramatic
death at the hands of the colonizers on the eve of his execution that elevated him to the
pantheon of our heroes. His life was romanticized by his birth, gift of intellect and
language, by his education, literary achievements, fervent nationalism, and background,
that includes his rich love life. He was admired and idolized in his death by his
countrymen in which he considered him as their greatest hero and the First Filipino.

At the age of 18 Rizal wrote a literary poem entitled “To the Filipino Youth” when
he was still studying at the University of Sto. Tomas that was originally written in
Spanish (A la juventud filipina). This poem aiming with strong messages to convince
readers especially the youth that they are the hope of the nation. He also emphasized
the importance of education to one’s future. “Goodbye to Eleonor” is literary piece that
gives an insight into the romantic relationship of Rizal and his beloved, Leonor Rivera.
They met in the province of Dagupan when Rivera was only 13-years old. Leonor
Rivera’s parents were not in favor of their relationship, though they are far from each
other it is not a hindrance for them as the they kept in touch through sending letters and
photos to each other and touch them.. But Rizal later found out that her beloved love
would soon tie the knot with Henry Kipping, and the news disheartened him. The
heartbreaking feeling he felt resulted in this melancholic poem. To address the Filipino
women, Rizal wrote a letter entitled “To the Young Women of Malolos” that reflects his
inheritance and issues reminders to Filipino women. He underlines the virtues that a
Filipino mother should possess in this literary work. Rizal advises women to educate
themselves, protect their dignity and honor, and live with good manners. One of the
most sought-after books in Philippine history until today is the Rizal’s famous novel
entitled “Noli Me Tangere” (Touch Me Not). Rizal wrote the novel driven by his undying
love for his country, as he also wants to expose the ills of Philippine society during the
Spanish colonial era. During this time, the Spaniards banned Filipinos from reading
controversial books because of the illegal activity depicted in the novel. Yet, they were
not able to ban it completely and as more the Filipino read the book. So, the Filipinos
opened their eyes to tell the truth that they were being manhandled by the friars. The El
Filibusterismo is Rizal’s sequel to his first book, Noli Me Tangere, in this novel he
exhibits a dark theme in which it depicts the country’s issues and how the protagonist
attempts a reform. As the novel portrays abuse, corruption, and discrimination of the
Spaniards towards Filipinos, it was also banned in the country at that time. Rizal
dedicated this second novel to the GOMBURZA; the Filipino priests named Mariano
Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora who were executed on charges of
subversion. These two novels of Rizal indirectly sparked the Philippine Revolution, as
those considered his literary masterpieces. After Rizal associated with the Katipuneros,
he was arrested and later sentenced to death by firing squad for acts of sedition and
rebellion. Mi último adiós or My Last Farewell is one of the few last works that Rizal
wrote during his final days in Fort Santiago, he wrote that to bid farewell to his
motherland and countrymen through those letters. At present, Rizal’s literary works,
specially his two novels are still alive and continuously being examined and analyzed by
students and professionals. Even colleges and universities in the Philippines are
required to study the life and works of Rizal wherein Filipinos’ will always remember the
country’s national hero with high regard for his contribution towards the Philippine
Independence.

It is hard to imagine our country, the Philippines, without Rizal. I believe that it is
impossible to understand the shortcomings as well as our sources and the achieved
independence of our country without him.

“Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng Bayan” those were the famous lines said by Jose
Rizal. During his time, he was devoted to the belief that what would make a country
prosper are its own children. Because Rizal on his young age, as a youth himself, he
saw that education is a key to create a class of Filipino that has the ability to lead the
country to freedom and self-determination. He firmly believed that education was a key
to knowing oneself. I think Rizal put his faith in the hands of the Filipino youth because
he might have seen that there is a potential in them to do great things like what he is in
his age. Jose Rizal was declared as the First Filipino because of his sacrifices that he
made. His work and ideals could permeate not only the Filipino mind but also the world.
He is the only one among all many heroes who inspire a nation especially youth.

The life and works of Rizal help me to understand Jose Rizal very well during his
time, I admired him due to his morality that shown in the reading material. As a Filipino
and also a student it is important to us to study life and works of Rizal for us to
recognize and know all his teachings that we can relate to present conditions in our
society. In addition, to have a deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and died for
to achieve the independence of the Philippines. He used his knowledge and the powers
of letter to fight against Spaniards to end the sufferings of his beloved countrymen.

Rizal's Life and Works are summarized in this analytical text. Consider Rizal's
difficulties, intellectual growth, and anti-Spanish colonization protests. Rizal is
considered the first Filipino since he is first in the hearts of Filipinos. Nations are defined
by their heroes. If a people get the government they deserve, they will also have heroes
modeled after them. Del Pilar, hurling his Jovian thunderbolts at the Spanish friar,
considered by his foes to be "the real soul" of subversion, "much superior to Rizal"; the
prodigious, irreconcilable Mabini, (utak ng himagsikan) the brain of the war against the
United States; and, of course, Bonifacio and Aguinaldo were among Rizal's competitors
for preeminence in the generation that gave birth to Filipino nation. There's a lot to like
about del Pilar. But he died quietly, practically unnoticed, on July 4th, the date of his
birth. Besides, heroes are not only born but made. Not only does a great man need to
die in a great historical moment, but he not only makes the people feel dead with him,
but after his death the worship of his memory is encouraged and preached. It is just as
important to accept people who are appreciated.

There are so many heroes in the Philippine history, Nonetheless, the Filipinos
have unanimously and irreversibly picked Rizal. Rizal did not become a national hero
because the Americans thought he was the safest symbol of our nationalism and thus
allowed, even encouraged, his enthronement, because the Filipinos had already chosen
him before he died, and his final martyrdom was only the confirmation of a spiritual
dominion that even the Katipunan acknowledged. Rising in his honor it was our decision.
Rizal is entrenched in the Nation and Republic he founded, having lifted the hearts of
his generation. A variety of conclusions can be inferred from our national hero's
selection.

The first thing I noticed about Dr. Jose Rizal's life was how basic it was. He
chose not to live the lavish lifestyle that so many of us crave. Even before the Spaniards
began to watch him, he had lived as simply as possible. I suppose his parents'
occupation influenced his behavior. I believe that one's parents have the most impact on
one's lifestyle. Rizal's life taught me the importance of parents contributing in their
children's ideals. The next thing I observed about Rizal's life was his ability to think
calmly and reasonably, even in the most complex situations. His struggle for Philippine
independence is legal and peaceful, which is why he wrote so many books to ignite the
revolutionary spirit of the Filipinos.

I appreciate all the moral and life lessons I have learned on this subject. We
firmly believe that our love for our country is a tool of change. Even in this era when we
have freedom, we still need to be aware of all the injustices that are happening around
us. Although the Philippines is a democratic country, there are still abuse, corruption
and injustice by our own people. These individuals include corrupt government officials.
Freedom should not benefit the malicious officials who govern our country. Instead, we
should protect our rights peacefully, as José Rizal did in his era. As a student of
Polytechnic University of the Philippines, I will carry this learning throughout my whole
life. This story, life of Rizal will be the source of my motivation to pursue my goals and
dream.
 Bibliography

Davis, B. (2021, May 15). What are the life and works of Rizal? – MVOrganizing.
Www.Mvorganizing.Org. Retrieved May 14, 2022, from
https://www.mvorganizing.orgvorganizing.org/what-are-the-life-and-works-of-
rizal/

Bayangos, R. S. T. (n.d.). Jose Rizal’s Educational Background. The Jose Rizal.

Retrieved May 14, 2022, from https://joserizalproject.weebly.com/jose-
rizalrsquos-educational-background.html

Birth and Family Life. (2016, February 17). LIFE AND WORKS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL.
Retrieved May 14, 2022, from https://eyeofthetiger25.wordpress.com/birth-and-
family-life/

Valdeavilla, R. (2018, April 27). The 8 Most Important Literary Works by Jose Rizal.
Culture Trip. Retrieved May 14, 2022, from
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/the-8-most-important-literary-
works-by-jose-rizal/
A Reflection Paper On the Life of Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda.
(2013, July 10). Zimri. Retrieved May 14, 2022, from
https://zhaimrhiae.wordpress.com/a-reflection-paper-on-the-life-of-dr-jose-
protacio-rizal-mercado-y-alonzo-realonda/
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