REACTION PAPER FROM THE MOVIE “ JOSE RIZAL (1998)”

Jose Rizal movie casted by Cesar Montano on 1998 opened our eyes and
our heart to the Spaniards Tyranny for 3 centuries. It introduces us to the
life of subjugation of the Filipino people under the rule of the Spanish
friars. From the execution of three Filipino priests in 1872 for alleged
subversion to the harsh and unequal treatment of Filipino students in the
schools, this film is a
stinging indictment of
Spanish colonial rule in the
Philippines. We see scenes
both from Rizal's actual life
but also from his
imagination.

It covers his life from his

childhood to his execution at
the hands of the Spanish
forces occupying the
Philippines in the late 19th
century. We are also thrown
into the world of Rizal's
novels. So we get a glimpse of how he viewed Filipino society under the
Spanish heal. There are graphic depictions of violence and even torture.
The opening few scenes depict some episodes from Rizal's novels. In
one a Catholic priest raped a Filipina that’s why we had mixed blood. In
the other scene a Catholic priest beats a child for alleged stealing. Strong
stuff, and it made m e wonder how the Catholic Church could possibly
retain any power in the country, if this is what the national hero thought
about it.

The Powerful Spaniards ruled our small country, came here and claim as
if it’s there own. They are ruthless, cruel and all the devilish words suits
to them. They came here in the Philippines, ruled our lands and used us
as their slave. Our ancestors have been struggling that problem for
almost 3 centuries and I felt bad for myself. We were so pitiful, asking
for freedom and thirsty for liberty, hungry for our own country. Was that
they called a colonization?

This world is cruel. Money, power can control people. I’m confused at
the same time, there are tons of questions in my mind that is looking for
answers. What if Rizal didn’t stand in behalf of Filipinos? Are we still in
the hands of those evil tyranny? What if, what if? Those questions still
bugging me. What if Rizal didn’t die? Would it still be the same?

Even though that I’m confusing myself, there’s one thing important right
now, the freedom that we had. The freedom to talk, to write and fly that
no can dictate you except yourself. I truly admired Jose Rizal for his
bravery not for strength but for the confidence he had to write all those
devilish acts of Spaniards and spread it to the world. I never admired any
of the Heroes aside from Heneral Luna, but truly he is amazing. How
could he handle all those struggles in his life?

Despite all of that, we continued to live our life, thanks to our ancestors
fighting for our freedom. Bloods stained, people wailing, I can feel their
sympathy. As a youth, I am challenge that I could do better. Our Heroes
died for us not for nothing but for something. Youth is our future.