JOSE RIZAL UNIVERSITY

80 Shaw Blvd. Mandaluyong City

________________________

A Performance Task and Project Performance Report presented to the

College of Liberal Arts, Criminology, and Education

Faculty of History and Social Science

In Partial fulfillment of the Requirement

for the subject Life and Works of Rizal

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Accountancy

Submitted to:

MR. ARVIN CRUZ

Professorial Lecturer

Submitted by:

JOANNA MARIE R. LUALHATI

BSA 202A

Date:

September 28, 2023

I. INDTRODUCTION, SYNTHESIS OF THE ARTICLE
 The piece explores the fascinating realm of urban legends centered
around Jose Rizal, a significant figure in Philippine history. This article delves
into various urban legends, from the ridiculous idea that Rizal is the father of
Adolf Hitler to the incredible theory that he might be Jack the Ripper. The
article dispels these misconceptions via logic and historical facts,
demonstrating that their foundations are flimsy.
The author recalls hearing many of Rizal's childhood tales as a child,
including the ones about his unintentional invention of champorado and his
miraculous shoes. Even though these stories have since been debunked,
they highlight how renowned Rizal was throughout his lifetime. People
believed he was a miracle worker and a talented doctor, attributing his healing
abilities to paranormal forces.
The article offers some insight into the paranoia of Spanish officials, who
thought Rizal was a German agent when he was traveling overseas. It draws
attention to Rizal's humorous side, as he would have laughed off the
ridiculous accusation if he had been threatened with deportation for being a
French spy in Germany. The piece also discusses the ongoing "tsismis," or
rumors circulating Rizal. Talks continued long after his death, suggesting that
he had not died, including fanciful tales of his remains moving inside a
cemetery or changing into a white rooster.
The author connects these historical myths and the present by talking
about how contemporary social media has given rise to new urban legends,
such as the absurd assertion that Rizal lived to be 113 years old and left
Ferdinand E. Marcos a fortune. In his own words, Rizal highlights how he
became a mythical character who was the target of adoration and defamation,
expressing his anger with the spread of such stories throughout his time.
We shall explore the subjects of the article in further detail, as well as the
effects of these urban legends on modern society and Rizal's legacy in this
examination.
 II. ANALYSIS OF THE ARTICLE
This essay explores the exciting realm of urban legends surrounding Jose Rizal,
illuminating how myths and misconceptions can influence the legacy of a historical
figure. It emphasizes how crucial accurate historical interpretation and critical thinking
are to comprehending the past.

The absurd notion that Rizal is Adolf Hitler's father is one of the main misconceptions
debunked in the piece. This idea is unrealistic just by running the timeframes. Rizal was
in London, working at the British Library, nine months before Hitler was born. This
perfectly illustrates how fundamental historical information may debunk unfounded
rumors. The idea that Rizal might have been Jack the Ripper is another topic the author
addresses. This idea is predicated on tenuous evidence, including the murderer's use of
a sharp knife, which is highly probable, and Rizal's presence in London during the
Ripper killings. Even if these coincidences seem intriguing initially, there isn't any hard
proof for them. Furthermore, Rizal's medical background, which would account for his
proficiency with sharp objects, does not prove his guilt in the Ripper case.The piece
then explores Rizal's childhood folktales, highlighting how these tales shaped his
renown. Though they might appear fantastical in hindsight, they provide insight into how
people viewed Rizal when he was alive. People regarded his medical abilities as
outstanding and believed he possessed supernatural powers.

The investigation also covers Rizal's stay overseas, emphasizing the mistrust held by
Spanish officials who thought he might be a German agent. Rizal's comedic account of
climbing Makiling and planting a flag—albeit a fake German one—showcases his humor
in the face of unfounded accusations. This episode captures the intrigue and paranoia
of his time. The piece then explores how persistent the rumors and "tsismis" about Rizal
are. Not long after his execution, there were wild tales of his body wandering inside a
graveyard or changing into a white rooster, leading many to believe that he had not
died. Even though they are humorous, these tales highlight the mystery and continuing
appeal surrounding Rizal. The paper addresses how social media has given rise to new
urban legends about Rizal, bringing the contemporary setting into sharp relief. The
assertion that he bequeathed a fortune to Ferdinand E. Marcos and lived to be 113
years old is evidence of the influence that disinformation has in the digital age. This
occurrence is reminiscent of Rizal's annoyance at the fabrication of wild and unlikely
tales about him while he was alive.

The article's analysis reveals that urban legends significantly influence how people
recall historical personalities. Distinguishing fact from fiction has continued the theme of
myth and mystery surrounding the national hero of the Philippines, Rizal. Whether they
originate from adoration or defamation, these stories have the power to sway public
opinion and spread false information. The post serves as a helpful reminder of how
crucial critical thinking and historical accuracy are when assessing historical claims. It
emphasizes the need to depend on verifiable proof and accepted facts while evaluating
the lives and contributions of historical personalities. It also highlights the enduring
value of narrative and the generational persistence of myths. The article's primary
purpose is to dispel and examine numerous urban legends and falsehoods regarding
Jose Rizal. It is set up like the following: Debunking Urban Legends: Using a simple
historical comparison, the author successfully refutes the urban legend that claims Rizal
is Hitler's father. Though intriguing, the connection between Jack the Ripper and Rizal is
based on conjecture and circumstantial evidence. Impact and Perception of Rizal
During His Lifetime: The article discusses Rizal's reputation, highlighting that people
saw him as more than just a doctor and academic. He was credited with exceptional
talents, which attests to his renown and the legends that circulated him even then. The
report highlights the paranoia of the Spanish authorities by revealing that Rizal was
once suspected of being a German spy while traveling. This realization offers some
insight into the political milieu of the day. Persistence of Urban Stories: The following
section of the essay explores how myths and urban stories about Rizal persisted even
after his passing. It illustrates the industry of myths and rumors by mentioning strange
legends of his corpse flying away and changing into a white rooster. Influence of
Modern Social Media: The article's conclusion discusses how contemporary social
media platforms have spawned new urban legends about Rizal, such as the idea that
he amassed enormous money and lived to be 113 years old. This illustrates the myth-
making's enduring power and how technology may magnify these narratives.
 III. PROS AND CONS / ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE
ARTCLE PUBLISHED
Advantages: Dispelling Myths: An essential benefit of the text is its capacity to refute
erroneous urban tales related to Rizal. Logic and historical data are used in this essay
to effectively debunk rumors regarding Rizal's purported ties to Adolf Hitler and Jack the
Ripper. This helps us comprehend Rizal's life and legacy more accurately. Historical
Context: The piece offers insightful historical context by illuminating the socio-political
milieu of Rizal's era. It demonstrates how people's opinions, particularly those of those
exposed to other countries, are sometimes tainted by distrust and intrigue. Thoughts
on Current Issues: The article's examination of how social media has spawned fresh
urban legends about Rizal brings attention to a critical issue: disinformation in the digital
era. It is a cautionary tale about the possible repercussions of disseminating misleading
material online. Engaging Writing Style: A variety of readers can easily understand
this piece thanks to the author's engaging, frequently hilarious writing style. This method
makes complex historical ideas more approachable.

Disadvantages: Long Tales: Although anecdotes might be captivating, some of the

historical tales in the article—like the origin of the champorado and Rizal's magical
slippers—may seem drawn out and unrelated to the central issue of dispelling urban
legends. These tales could take attention away from the main point of the article.
Restricted Examination of Current Misinformation: The paper mentions specific
current misinformation-related topics but doesn't go into great detail about the causes
and effects of disseminating misleading information via social media. A more thorough
examination of this factor might have given the conversation more substance. Absence
of Counterarguments: Although the article successfully refutes the urban legends it
mentions, it does not address any possible rebuttals or differing viewpoints. Adding
these could address readers' potential skepticism and offer a more balanced opinion.
Restricted Discussion on Rizal's Legacy: Most of the article is devoted to dispelling
falsehoods; it needs to go into better detail about Rizal's lasting impact both within and
outside the Philippines. A more thorough examination of Rizal's influence on modern
society would have offered a broader viewpoint.
IV. CONCLUSIONS

To sum up, the article's primary objective of dispelling urban myths about Jose
Rizal is accomplished. It effectively engages readers and communicates the value of
critical thinking in evaluating historical claims through historical data and an
engaging writing style. However, there are several places where the piece could
have been more objective and thoroughly examined linked subjects.

The piece offers a fascinating examination of the myths and urban legends
surrounding Jose Rizal. One of these beliefs is convincingly refuted, but another is
left up for interpretation. Readers are given an insight into this historical person's
multifaceted and ongoing legacy through the inclusion of vignettes from Rizal's life
and historical context. The essay also emphasizes how social media, in particular,
plays a significant role in creating and maintaining new myths. The article's
conclusions, however, would have been enhanced by a more thorough examination
of the myths' cultural and historical relevance.