Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
LAPU-LAPU CITY COLLEGE

NAME: Shane T. Genayas

SECTION: BEEd-2B

When we talk about freedom, we mean a state of independence where we are

unrestricted by anyone. Freedom can also be referred to as a mental condition in
which you are free to do whatever comes to mind. Additionally, you can experience
inner liberation. Just like what Jose Rizal wants us and in our country that is why he
has taken tons of steps to open the minds of his countrymen because he wants free
country and an equal right for all. The two novels he composed which is the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo was a catalyst to awaken the Filipinos and to achieve
freedom in interchange for his life.

Noli Me Tangere illustrates the lack of freedom that the Filipino people had
to deal with while living under Spanish colonial rule through many forms of social,
political, and religious oppression. The novel was indeed inspired by events in the
country at that time, although there are some historical inaccuracies here and there.
Rizal also makes use of symbolism and allegory to get his point across. When he
speaks about the “lack of freedom” in the Philippines, he’s not just talking about
politics, but life in general. The book is a call for freedom and change as well as an
attack on the colonial system. Spanish invaders ran the government, which prioritized
foreign trade while razing nipa dwellings in Manila. The way that Filipinos were
referred to as "indios" was a prominent illustration of bigotry. Only members of the
Illustrado family were allowed to go to school. Filipino women cannot receive a free
university education. Additionally, even though they are allowed to run their own
enterprises, they cannot freely or professionally collaborate with men. Spanish flags
are also flying from every vessel. It also promotes nationalism and to accept the
changes in ourselves is still applied to us today.

Our country before was controlled by the Spaniards. The situation in Noli Me
Tangere is different from the present time in the Philippines in terms of political
systems, religious influence, social hierarchy, education, and economic development.
Although Filipinos are already awakened in the hands of the government this past
centuries but there’s still a lot of things that we brought today. For instance, religion,
family names, language and many more. The situation in the novel differ from today’s
society in a way that Jose Rizal addresses the problems of Filipino people why they
are blind by the reality. And Rizal proves also that Filipinos are not morons but they
just became slaves in the hands of Spaniards. However, Filipinos in the present are
already independent and achieve the taste of freedom. And we as a citizen of the
Philippines currently, we must patronize our country by upholding the law, promoting
Philippine culture, and attaining the genuine objective of the country by working
together to improve it for the reason that Rizal aimed to redeem the country and its
people and abolish the slavery and ignorance of his compatriot.