Republic of the Philippines

PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY

Goa, Camarines Sur

Name: Melba L. Habana Subject: GE9 Life and Works of Rizal

Course & Section: BSBA-FM3C Instructor: Mrs. Ella Encinas

Discuss the following:

1. What is the emotional condition of Rizal prior to his death?

• In the last 24 hours of his life from 6:00 a.m. on December 29 to

6:00 a.m. on December 30, 1896, Jose Rizal was occupied with
receiving visitors, particularly his mother, engaging in poignant
conversations with her, and spending time with friends. Amidst
these farewells, he managed to pen his goodbye poem, a
poignant testament to his final gift for the Filipino people’s quest
for independence. Despite his widely acknowledged courage and
psychological resilience in service to the nation, Rizal’s
interactions with his family revealed his sensitivity and emotional
depth, showcasing the human facets of this revered figure.

2. Do you believe that Rizal wrote the “Mi Ultimo Adios” on the eve of his
execution? Consider all the circumstances during Rizal’s last hours.

• Yes, I believe Rizal wrote “Mi Ultimo Adios” on the night before
his death. As his visitors left, he handed an alcohol cooking stove
to his sister Trinidad and said, “There is something in it.” It was
Rizal’s unsigned, untitled goodbye poetry. It was later confirmed.
Mariano Ponce, Rizal’s friend, titled the poem Mi Ultimo Adios. It
is widely regarded as the most patriotic poem in the world and
has been translated into over 38 languages.

3. What is the message of Rizal’s last letters to the following?

a. His Family

I ask you for forgiveness for the pain I cause you, but some day
I shall have to die and it is better that I die now in the plenitude
of my conscience.

Dear parents and brothers: Give thanks to God that I may

preserve my tranquility before my death. I die resigned, hoping
 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

that with my death you will be left in peace. Ah! It is better to

die than to live suffering. Console yourselves.

I enjoin you to forgive one another the little meanness of life and
try to live united in peace and good harmony. Treat your old
parents as you would like to be treated by your children later.
Love them very much in my memory.

Bury me in the ground. Place a stone and a cross over it. My

name, the date of my birth and of my death. Nothing more. If
later you wish to surround my grave with a fence, you can do it.
No Anniversaries. I prefer Paang Bundok.

Have pity on poor Josephine.

b. His Brother

It has been four years and a half that we have not seen each
other or have we address one another on writing or orally. I do
not believe this is due to lack of affection either on my part or
yours but because knowing each other so well. We had no need
of word to understand each other.

Now that I am going to die, it is to you I dedicate my last words

to tell you how much I regret to leave you alone in life bearing
all the weight of the family and of our old parents.

I think of how you have worked to enable me to have career. I

believe that I have tried not to waste my time. My brother; if I
the fruit has been bitter, it is not my fault, it is the fault of
circumstances. I know that you have suffered much because of
me. I am sorry.

I assure you, brother, that I die innocent of this crime of

rebellion. If my former writings had been able to contribute
towards it, I should not deny absolutely, but then I believe I
expiated my past with my exile.

Tell to our father that I remember him, but how? I remember

my whole childhood, her tenderness, his love. Ask him to forgive
me for the pain I cause him unwillingly.
 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

c. His Father

Forgive me for the pain with which I pay you for struggles and
tools to give me an educate. I did not want this nor did I expect
it.

Farewell, Father, Farewell!

d. His Mother

At 6 ’clock in the morning of the 30th of December 1896.

4. Give your insights about the letters of Rizal, to his brother, and to his
parents.

• Whatever mistakes or shortcomings you may have in your

family, your love for them is not diminished. Rizal’s letters to his
brother and parents represent a profound message seeking
forgiveness for any mistakes he may have made and aiming to
mend any wounds that may have surfaced. Rizal expresses his
enduring love and gratitude, bring the timeless sentiment that
familial bonds transcend imperfections, serving as a testament
to the strength of love and the importance of forgiveness in
nurturing lasting relationships.

5. Reflect on the letters as mentioned in his poem Mi Ultimo Adios.

• The “Mi Ultimo Adios” or “My Last Farewell” was penned in the
Spanish language and is considered Rizal’s final testament before
parting ways with his fellow Filipinos. Rizal held the conviction
that sacrificing his life was the most profound expression of his
love for the country. He aspired for his death to be a source of
inspiration for all, aiming to leave a lasting impact on those who
cherished the same ideals. Mi Ultimo Adios are love for the
Philippines, acceptance of death, national identity, passion for
freedom, farewell to loved ones, and legacy and memory.
 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

Name: Melba L. Habana Subject: GE3 Peace Indigenous

Course & Section: BSBA-FM3C People and Bicol Culture
Instructor: Mrs. Ella Encinas

Discuss the following:

1. The article describes the Bicolano people.

2. Give the short history of the Bicolanos.
3. Enumerate and discuss the culture and traits of a Bicolano.
4. Give the reflection on the article.
5. Relate yourself the past, present and the future of the Bicolano.

Short History of the Bicolanos

The Bicol people, originally called Ibalong or Ibalnong, were a part of ancient
Gat Ibal’s rule. The name Bikol, meaning “meandering,” was derived from
the principal river in the area. Archaeological evidence from the Neolithic
period and mining industry indicate rich ceramic artifacts and pre-Hispanic
burial jar use. Spanish influence in Bicol was primarily from Augustinian and
Franciscan missionaries, who initiated the annual feast of the Virgin of
Peñafrancia. Bicolanos actively participated in national resistance against
Spanish, American, and Japanese occupations.

Bicolanos live in the Bicol Region, which occupies the southeastern part of
Luzon, now containing the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines
Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and Masbate (although the majority of
Masbate’s population is a subgroup of Visayans). Many Bicolanos also live in
the southeastern towns of the Calabarzon province of Quezon.

Culture and Traits of the Bicolano

Cuisine

Bicolanos are known for their high tolerance for spicy foods, with Bicolano
cuisine being characterized by the extensive use of chili peppers and coconut
milk. A prime example is the popular dish gulay na lada, recognized outside
the region as Bicol Express, which features siling labuyo (native small
chilies) and coconut milk. Meals in this region are typically carbohydrate-
rich, and vegetables are frequently prepared in coconut milk. Meat dishes
 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

include pochero, adobo, tapa, and dinuguan. Commonly consumed fish

varieties include mackerel and anchovy, while Lake Buhi is known for the
presence of sinarapan or tabyos, recognized as the smallest fish in the
world.

Livelihood

Copra processing and abacá stripping are typically done by hand, and fishing
is a significant industry in the region. Fishing is abundant from May to
September, with various net types and types used by individual fishermen.
In Lake Buhi, sarap and sumbiling are used for small fish, while the bunuan
(corral) of inangela, sakag, sibid-sibid, and sakag types are common. Mining
and abaca manufacturing are important industries, with the former starting
with the discovery of Paracale mines in Camarines Norte. Coconut and abacá
are two dollar-earning products grown in coastal valleys, hillsides, or slopes
of fertile volcanoes. The Bicol River basin or rice granary provide the
peasants rice, corn, and root crops for food and a small cash surplus when
crops evade the dreaded but frequent typhoons. Land preparation involves
carabao-drawn ploughs and harrows, with sickles for cutting rice stalks and
basbas for threshing.

Cultural values

Bicolano men still expect women to do most household work, while men are
expected to be the primary source of income and financial support for their
family. Traditional practices like pamalay, pantomina, and tigsikan are
important for survival in the typhoon-prone environment. The Bicolanos hold
strong beliefs on God, the soul, and life after death, with annual rituals like
pabasa, tanggal, fiestas, and flores de mayo. The value system of the
Bicolanos combines Spanish religious doctrines, American materialism, and
traditional animistic beliefs. The Bicolanos’ values are gleaned from
numerous folk tales and songs, such as the Sarung Banggi, which reflect
traits like kindness, determination, resourcefulness, and courage. To adapt
to the tropical climate, Bicolanos use light material for their houses and
predominantly wear light, western-styled clothes. Sinamay is reserved for
decorative items like pillow cases, mosquito nets, and fishing nets.
 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

Reflection on the Article about Bicolanos

This article explores the history, culture, and traits of the Bicolanos,
shedding light on aspects such as cuisine, livelihood, cultural values, and
pre-colonial indigenous religion. It serves as a valuable resource, particularly
for students, aiming to elucidate the history, heritage, culture, language and
tradition of the Bicolanos, who constitute the fourth largest ethnolinguistic
group in the Philippines. Their native region, commonly referred to as
Bicolandia, encompasses the entire Bicol Peninsula and neighboring minor
islands, all situated in the southeast portion of Luzon. The males hailing from
this region are commonly identified as Bicolanos, while the term Bicolana is
used to refer to females. According to the folk epic titled Ibalong, the early
inhabitants of the area were known as Ibalong or Ibalnong, a name believed
to be derived from Gat Ibal, the ancient ruler of Sawangan (now the city of
Legazpi). Initially meaning the “people of Ibal,” this evolved into the term
Ibalon. The term Bikol, which replaced Ibalon, originally stemmed from
bikod, meaning “meandering,” a description thought to be associated with
the primary river in the region.

Primarily an agricultural and rural community, the Bicolanos engage in the

cultivation of rice, coconuts, and hemp, showcasing their deep connection to
the land. This comprehensive exploration of the Bicolanos’ heritage provides
valuable insights into their identity and contributes to a broader
understanding of Filipino diversity.

Relate yourself the past, present and the future of the Bicolano.

To relate myself with the Bicolano heritage across the past, present, and
future, I find resonance in their friendship, strong people, and culinary
traditions because as a Bicolano people I am always friendly, strong and
good at cooking. The Bicolano people from past, present, and future is
friendly, strong and famous on their way of cooking. In summary, my
journey to relate to my Bicolano heritage involves embracing the past,
actively participating in the present, and paving the way for a strong and
culturally rich future. Whether through friendships, personal strength, or
culinary traditions, you can contribute to the preservation and continuation
of the vibrant Bicolano culture.