POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

GEED 10013 Life and Works of Rizal

Prof. Jacinto R. Valila Jr.

A Reflection Paper about

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

Orquia, James Carl N.

BSME 2-2
November 11, 2021
On June 19, 1861, Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, better known as Dr.
Jose Rizal, was born in Calamba, Laguna. He is the second son and the seventh among the
eleven children of Teodora Alonso y Quintos and Francisco Mercado Rizal. His father,
Francisco Mercado Rizal, is a hardworking farmer from Biñan Laguna, and his mother, Teodora
Alonso y Quintos, is a well-educated and talented woman from Meisic, Sta. Manila, Cruz. Both
of his parents were educated and belonged to wealthy and distinguished families. Whenever I
heard his name, it made me feel patriotic and reminded me that he is one of the Filipinos that
strive for the peace that we now enjoy. The theme of Rizal's Life and Works is not just about his
work; it's also about his challenges in life prior to the moment when he decided to awaken the
spirit of our fellow Filipinos to fight for our peace. I've read about Rizal's life challenges,
intellectual development, and perceptions of his social, political, and economic beliefs, as well
as his similarities to other Filipino nationalists.

           As for the educational background and intellectual development of Jose Rizal, having his
mother as his first teacher, Jose Rizal showed his precocious intellect from an early age. He
mastered the alphabet from his mother at the age of three and was able to read and write by the
age of five. Paciano Rizal, his only brother, educates him about life at a young age because
Paciano learned from his experiences at a young age. While learning to read and write, he
already showed his inclination to be a great artist. Jose Rizal astounded his family and relatives
by his sketches and pencil drawings, as well as his moldings of clay. At the age of 8, Jose Rizal
wrote a Tagalog poem entitled "Sa Aking Mga Kabata," the theme depicts his love of one's
language. At the age of 16, he graduated with honors from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila with
a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1877. He enrolled in Philosophy and Letters at the University of
Santo Tomas the same year. At the same time, he studied at the Ateneo for the degrees of
Surveyor and Expert Assessor. On March 21, 1877, Jose Rizal completed the later course, and
on May 21, 1878, he passed the Surveyor's test. Unfortunately, due to his age of 17, he was not
awarded a license to practice until December 30, 1881. In addition, in 1878, he studied in
medicine at the University of Santo Tomas. Still, he had to stop his studies when he felt Filipino
students discriminated against by their Dominican educators and tutors. Jose Rizal traveled for
Spain to complete his studies on May 3, 1882, without alerting his parents of his plans. He
enrolled himself at the Universidad Central de Madrid inspired by his mother's advancing
blindness. The next thing that happened was Rizal went to the University of Paris and the
University of Heidelberg to complete his study in Ophthalmology to help his mother. In 1887, he
completed his second PhD in Heidelberg. At the age of 23, Jose Rizal was conferred the degree
of Licentiate in Medicine. He completed his course in Philosophy and Letters at the age of 24,
with a grade of excellent. 

           As he traveled extensively in different countries, namely Europe, Asia, and America,
Jose Rizal mastered 22 languages. Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek,
Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Malayan, Portuguese, Russian, Sanskrit, Spanish, Tagalog,
and other national dialects are among these languages. Furthermore, as a multifaceted genius,
Jose Rizal worked as an architect, artist, businessman, cartoonist, educator, economist,
ethnologist, scientific farmer, historian, inventor, journalist, linguist, musician, mythologist,
nationalist, naturalist, novelist, ophthalmic surgeon, poet, propagandist, psychologist, scientist,
sculptor, sociologist, and theologian. As Jose Rizal lived in Europe for ten years, he learned
different languages to converse in more than ten other tongues. While he was in Europe, Jose
Rizal impressed everyone who met him using his intelligence, charm, and mastery of an
incredible range of different fields of study. Aside from the mentioned professions, Rizal
excelled at fencing, sculpture, martial arts, painting, anthropology, teaching, and journalism.

           One of the famous novels of Jose Rizal is Noli me Tangere, published in 1887. Noli me
Tangere is a Latin phrase Rizal borrowed from the Bible, meaning "Touch me not." The freshly
raised Christ speaks to Mary Magdalene in John 20:13-17: "Touch me not; I am not yet
ascended to my Father, but go to my God and your God." The book is a sweeping and
passionate unmasking of the corruption and brutality of Spanish rule in the Philippines. Rizal
possessed a wealth of knowledge and expertise, but there was a looming problem: money. The
monies from Calamba were taking too long to arrive, and he was running out of money to
continue his tour of Europe. This was one of Jose's difficulties. Due to a shortage of financing,
he is forced to cut some parts of the novel. Fortunately, he was a pleasant individual.
Personality comes with a cult of influence and, finally, the necessary funds. As for the story of
Noli Me Tangere, there was a young Filipino named Juan Crisostomo Ibarra. After studying for
seven years in Europe, he returned to his homeland to find his wealthy landowner father. The
latter has died in prison due to a quarrel with a Franciscan friar named Padre Damaso. Ibarra is
promised to Maria Clara, a lovely and educated young lady who is the sole child of a wealthy
man titled Don Santiago de Los Santos. He is commonly known as Kapitan Tiago. Moreover,
Ibarra resolves all the quarrels for the betterment of his people. He seeks to establish a public
school in his native town at his own expense to show his good intentions. Also, he meets
support from a young and gloomy Franciscan named Padre Salvi, who is Padre Damaso's
successor. Then, a suspicious accident happened to Ibarra's life. The festivities proceed until
the dinner, where Ibarra was insulted over the memory of his father by Fray Damaso. With that,
Ibarra loses his self-control and is about to kill the friar, but Maria Clara intervenes in the scene.
After the incident, Kapitan Tiago feared the friars and was forced to break the engagement of
Ibarra and Maria Clara, and agreed to let her daughter marry a young and inoffensive Spaniard
provided by Padre Damaso. Maria Clara agrees to the plan because she was submissive to his
father's instructions and was persuaded by her strange terror of Padre Salvi. Unfortunately,
Maria Clara becomes seriously ill, only to be saved secretly by Ibarra's medicine. Ibarra
succeeds in having the ex-communication removed, but an uprising against the Civil Guard
secretly brought about the agents of Padre Salvi. The leadership ascribed to Ibarra would ruin
him. Ibarra was warned by his mysterious friend named Ellias. Since Ibarra desired to see Maria
Clara, he refuses to make his escape. He is then arrested as the instigator of the outbreak and
thrown into prison in Manila. In the evening, Kapital Tiago celebrated in his house in Manila to
celebrate his supposed daughter's engagement. Ibarra makes his escape attempt and is
successful in visiting Maria Clara alone. The letter was obtained by trickery in exchange for two
others written by her mother before to her birth, showing that Padre Damaso is her biological
father. Padre Salvi has accidentally discovered this letter to intimidate Maria Clara and get
possession of Ibarra's letter, forging others to accuse Ibarra. Maria Clara informs him that she is
willing to die in order to rescue her mother's name and Capitan Tiago's dignity. Consequently,
Ibarra's escape was effective, having the help of Elias. During Christmas Eve, Elias appeared
wounded and dying, to find there a boy named Basilio beside the dead body of his mother, a
poor woman who lost her insanity by being neglected by his husbands and abuses on the part
of the Civil Guard, her younger son had disappeared in the convent, where he was a sacristan.
Elias helped Basilio for the funeral of his mother. Nevertheless, upon learning Ibarra's reported
death in the lake's chase, Maria Clara begged her supposed godfather, Fray Damaso, to put her
in a nunnery. The friar sobs and admits everything he has done with the Ibarras to keep her
from marrying a local. In the end, Maria Clara enters the nunnery of Sta. Clara, where Padre
Salvi lusted over Maria Clara from the beginning of the novel. He used Maria Clara to fulfill his
lust. On a stormy evening, a beautiful insane woman was spotted cursing and weeping the
heavens of fate from the top of the monastery. The woman was never identified; however, it is
suggested that the said woman was Maria Clara.

           After summarizing the Noli Me Tangere, it is evident how the novel persistently unmasks
the contemporary brutality and corruption of the Spaniards in the Philippines. Yet, Rizal
balances the novel by highlighting the Filipino people's good qualities and virtues, including
modesty and devotion of Filipino women, the hospitality of Filipino family, the deep sense of
gratitude, and the solid common sense of the uneducated Filipino peasants. Hence, it is
admirable how Rizal used his skills in writing as a charter of nationalism. The learnings that I got
from the Noli Me Tangere are the importance of loving our country and the values of wisdom,
and fighting for what is right. I firmly agree that empowering the youth and being a nationalistic
citizen can change our country into a better nation to live in.

           1The second and last novel completed by Jose Rizal is the sequel to Noli Me Tangere, El
Filibusterismo. he embarked on his European tour with Viola, which took him back to Dresden
and Bohemia, where he finally met his European pen friend Ferdinand Blumentritt. It was at this
time that Pepe was given editorship by La Solidaridad, a revolutionary group to which Rizal
belonged and to which he contributed articles and editorials, but plans fell through owing to
conflicts and his involvement with Sucesos. Rizal chose to work on a sequel to Noli Me Tangere
in Ghent, Belgium, replacing the optimistic themes with something darker and more pessimistic.
He stayed at the home of Philippine general Jose Alejandrino, musing about the predicament of
the Filipinos at the hands of the Spaniards, his fury at it, and maybe the lofty ideals of the
European nations he had seen. It is a satirical novel of unfulfilled love, tragedy, and revenge,
having its protagonist Juan Crisostomo Ibarra. Taking advantage of the belief that he died at the
end of Noli Me Tangere, he disguised himself as Simoun. Simon is an enormously wealthy and
mysterious jeweler who has gained the confidence and trust of the colony's governor-general.
Additionally, numerous characters from the Noli Me Tangere reappeared, such as Padre Salvi,
Basilio, Maria Clara, Capitan Tiago, Donya Victoriña, and Padre Florentino. The story shows
how Simon is eager to get his revenge against Padre Salvi and the Spanish Colonial state.
Moreover, he hopes to save Maria Clara from her suffocating life as a nun. Since Simon is a
confidant to the governor-general, he advises him to make the state even more oppressive,
hoping to force the Filipinos to revolt. Simon's conspirators are the schoolmaster, a Chinese
merchant named Quiroga, who helped him plan terrorist acts. Basilio is a young man who rises
from poverty to become Capital Tiago's charge in the novel. He pledged himself to Juli, the
beautiful daughter of Cabesang Tales, a prosperous farmer whose land is taken away by the
friars. In contrast to Simon's path of revolution, a group of university students, namely Pelaez,
Isagani, and Makaraig, push for founding an academy devoted to teaching Castilian, in line with
a decree from Madrid. The friars manage to co-opt the plan of the students since they are
opposed to the reform. Consequently, the students are accused of being behind the fliers that
call for states' rebellion, resulting in student leaders' imprisonment. Basilio was imprisoned even
though he was not involved. Also, the breakup of Isagani and Paulita Gomez, who agrees to
marry the wealthy Pelaez, was a delight to Dona Victorina, who has favored him all along.
Capitan Tiago dies of drug overdose. The students were released except for Basilio. Juli
approaches Padre Camorra but the friar attempt to rape her, but she commits suicide rather
than submit himself from the friar's lust. Basilio was released from the prison and found out that
Juli was dead. He went to Simon and cooperated with his revenge. The intense part of the story
is when the expensive wedding celebration is held at the former residence of Capitan Tiago,
which Don Timoteo Pelaez purchased. Simon has mined the residence, so it will blow up once a
fancy lamp packed with nitroglycerin (Simon's wedding gift) will cause a massive explosion.
However, Isagani was informed by Basilo of what will happen. Isagani rushes into the house,
snatches the lap, and throws it into the river. With that, the plan of Simoun is aborted, and his
true identity is finally revealed through a note he leaves for Padre Salvi at the Feast. Simon
committed suicide not before telling the priest what he wrote. He then left behind the case of
jewels.

           For Rizal's portrayal of love of country as a means of loving his fellow Filipino, thus
assisting them in obtaining justice from the evil and corrupt priests and Spaniards who are
mistreating them in their own land, because God has created us to extend our help to our fellow
as a symbol of glorifying Him. Jose Rizal began writing El Filibusterismo in October 1887, while
he was in Calamba. The novel was originally published in 1891. It is also known in its English
alternate title, "The Reight of Greed." The novel continues Noli Me Tangere's criticism about the
corruption and abuses by the Spanish government. Unfortunately, it was banned in some parts
of the Philippines due to the portrayals of the Spanish Government's abusive reign. As for my
reflection, I firmly agree that El Filibusterismo is somehow darker and brutal than Noli Me
Tangere. El Filibusterismo had a massive turning point for the characters, as well as the events
of sexual abuse, murder, and suicide. The hatred of Crisostomo Ibarra grew silently in the
character of Simoun as he planned for his revenge. In terms of moral lessons, I learned how
anger, hatred, and vengeance could take over a person's being, which can result in violence
and revenge. I further understand the sufferings of Filipinos during the Spanish colonization,
which makes me more appreciative of the freedom we have in modern Philippine society. Jose
Rizal did have a problem with funds for the publication of El Filibusterismo, which caused him to
become depressed and consider destroying additional chapters of the well-known work. But his
sense of justice for his fellow Filipinos, as well as his patriotism, prevent him from doing so. El
Filibusterismo was completed in 1890, and it was dedicated to three martyr priests killed by the
Spanish: Marcelino Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora. The book was initially published
in Ghent in 1891, and it quickly became popular among his acquaintances and contemporaries,
including Blumentritt. He could not have gotten this far without the help of God. The Lord is the
most essential person who may decide our prosperity, just as Rizal feared God and was
rewarded abundantly not just with financial goods but also with spiritual ones. That entails
intelligence, abilities, love, and compassion.

           Other than his famous novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Rizal also
published satire, poems, musical compositions, speeches and petitions, historical
commentaries, letters, and petitions, as well as articles and essays. Satire was an effective
rhetorical device to deliver Rizal's political image. His plays often portray the criticism of the
political state of the Philippines during Spanish Colonization. Some of the plays of Jose Rizal
are El Consejo de los Dioses (The Council of the Gods), and Junta Al Pasig (Along the Pasig.
Furthermore, the poems made by Rizal reflected on both the beauty and cruelty of the country.
Some of the poems written by Jose Rial are "Farewell to 1883", "To the Virgin Mary," and "Sa
Aking Mga Kabata." The musical compositions of Rizal were made through his hobbies. He
often transformed his poems into musical compositions. Some of Jose Rizal’s musical
compositions are Kundiman ni Rial, Alin Mang Lahi, and Leonor. The speeches and petitions of
Rial were honored to his friends and compatriots who fought alongside him for the freedom of
the Filipino people. Some of his speeches and petitions are "In honor of two Filipino Painters,
Rizal's toast to luna and Hidalgo" and "Petition of the town of Calamba." The historical
commentaries of Rizal provide a fascinating look at the Philippines in different languages such
as Spanish, Italian, German, English, French, and Tagalog. His historical commentaries are Ma-
Yi, Filipinas Dentro de Cien Anos (The Philippines A Century Hence), and Sobre La Indolencia
De Los Filipinas (The Indolence of the Filipino). The letters and petitions of Rizal were about his
family members, fellow activists, friends, and his love. Some of Jose Rizal's letters and petitions
are Tribute to Blumentritt (written on the day of Rizal's execution), Sa Mga Kababaihang Taga
Malolos (To the Young Women of Malolos), and A los Filipinos (To the Filipinos). The articles
and essays of Rizal were published in a reform newspaper named La Solidaridad. Some of his
articles and essays are "El Amor Patrio" (The Love of Country, "Los Agricultores Filipinos"
(Filipino Farmers), and "Constitution of La Liga Filipina." Hene, Jose Rizal's life and works are
an inspiration for freedom fighters during his time. His passionate writings and political
execution at 35 established his legacy as a national hero of the Philippines. 
           The ilustrados Jose Rizal, together with Marcelo H. del Pilar and Graciano Lopez Jaena,
organized the Propaganda Movement, which consists of peaceful reforms for the country's
benefit. These patriots were called propagandists because they waged their movement through
pen and tongue to expose the injustices, abuse, and corruption of Spanish Rule in the
Philippines and the urgency of reforms to remedy them. The aims of the propaganda movement
include equality of Filipinos and the Spaniards before the law; assimilation of the Philippines as
a regular province of Spain; Restoration of Philippine representation in the Cortes, the law-
making body of Spain; Filipinization of Philippine parishes; and Individual liberties for the
Filipinos. Jose Rizal was one of the leaders of the propaganda movement. He was distinguished
as the greatest novelist of the movement. Moreover, when did Rizal start. Rizal started his
Propaganda Movement on February 15, 1889. He was one of the contributors who established
a biweekly newspaper in Barcelona, La Solidaridad, having audiences both in Spain and in the
islands. La Solidaridad is the official organ, magazine, or newspaper of the propaganda
movement. The main focus of the article was about the demands for political and social reforms
in the Philippines. Furthermore, the subjects of most articles were attacks against the friars and
the abusive Spanish colonial officials.

           Aside from Rizal's propaganda movement and protests against Spanish colonialism,
Rizal conceived the idea of establishing a civic association composed of Filipinos. He called it
La Liga Filipino (Philippine League). He wrote its constitution with the help of Jose Ma. Basa, an
exile of 1872. After finishing the constitution, he returned to Manila. On the night of July 3, 1892,
Rizal founded the Liga Filipina in a house at Ilaya Street, Tondo Manila. The league's aims
include The Union of the Philippine Archipelago into a compact, strong and homogeneous body;
mutual protection of the members; defense against all violence and injustice; encouragement of
education, agriculture, and commerce; and study and application of reforms. 

           Upon Rizal's return to the Philippines in 1892, he was arrested by the Spanish
government for his reported involvement in the rebellion. Subsequently, he was exiled to the
island of the Dapitan in the island of Dapitan, Mindanao. He worked on agricultural projects on
abaca, continued to practice medicine and offered free medical checkups for sick people,
established a school that taught English to young boys, and eventually met the love of his life,
Josephine Bracken. Although Jose Rizal advocated peaceful reforms in the Philippines, the
Spanish government still assumes that his novels would result in Filipino’s reform. The
revolutionary group called Katipunan, led by Andres Bonifacio, read Rizal's novel and used
these as the basis for the revolution. With that, it can be determined how influential Rizal was.
Even without Rizal's permission, they named him as a member of Katipunan. Although Rizal
had no connection to the Katipunan, the Spanish military arrested him, faced his trial, and was
later found guilty of sedition. On December 30, 1896, Jose Rizal was executed by a firing squad
in Manila. Consequently, the execution of Rizal leads to Philippine Revolution among Filipinos
fighting for independence. 

           The life and works of Jose Rizal gave me overflowing life lessons, which I could apply as
a citizen of our country. I further recognize the importance of different Filipino qualities and
values, such as being helpful, brave, and humble. Rizal has shown his habit of helping his fellow
Filipinos. He did not finish countless degrees just for his own sake. He applied all his learnings
in helping the Filipinos. He built a school for youth, taught them to speak a different language.
He also helped farmers in Dapitan. He cured the sickness of poor and vulnerable people. He
wrote his love for the country and appreciation for the Filipino people through his literary works.
He inspired other ilustrados, propagandists, reformists, and katipuneros to fight for our freedom.
Indeed, Jose Rizal has helped Filipinos in many ways possible. Also, I admire the braveness of
Rizal. The way he fearlessly defended the Filipinos against Spanish colonialism through his
works was indeed brave. Rizal is also humble. Despite the fact that he is a genius, he never
bragged about it. He kept on proving himself by his achievements.  

           As a Filipino citizen studying the Life and Works of Rizal, Rizal's struggle, intellectual
developments, and protests against Spanish colonialism, I further appreciated all his selfless
acts to our country. He is a great example of a true hero, the reason why he was confounded as
the Philippine national hero. I firmly believe that he deserved that spot. He might not hold a gun
or sword and fight against Spaniards, but he used a pen and paper to spread his strong words
defending the Filipino people. Furthermore, Rizal also values love for God, Family, and Country.
I believe that he could not reach that without the help of God. God sent him to fight for our
nation. Moreover, he showed the value of family. He was blessed with a family who has
supported and guided him through his aims. Even nowadays, family is being valued for it is the
foundation of love and strength of an individual. Good manners and values are first taught at
home. Lastly, Rizal showed his value for our country. He portrays the true love of his country by
means of helping his fellow Filipinos. In my perspective, the best work of Jose Rizal would be
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. These two novels were taught in high school but are still
being studied in college. As I recall the story of the two novels, I come to realize the value of
writing. It is not just a piece of a book, but it really remarked the history of the events that
happened in our country during the Spanish colonial period. All the cruelty and abuse
experienced by many Filipinos during that time was unacceptable. Also, the growth of the
character of Ibarra to Simoun was a great highlight of the novel. The story is definitely related to
the experiences of Filipinos during Rizal's time. 

           Rizal demonstrated that the pen is mightier than the sword. Because of his literary
prowess, he is able to persuade his whole community to seek justice, therefore dismantling an
empire. For words fly around and arouse every man's emotion. As the phrase goes, "the written
word is strong," and it contains both good and bad connotations. It has the potential to heal
one's heart while simultaneously causing harm to another, much like a double-edged blade.
Rizal had a God-fearing heart, which allowed him to spark change and peace, implying that we
Filipinos should have a decent conscience and a God-fearing heart in order to enforce beneficial
changes. I've realized from Rizal's life that you should make the most of oneself. He trains
himself to gain understanding and knowledge in order to apply it for God's purposes. He did not
tell himself that he was not valuable enough, and he did not remain in denial about what was
going on around him. As a result, he understands that he is a child of God. Jose Rizal's life was
truly inspirational. Not just any average Filipino narrative, but the story of an extremely clever
and brilliant Filipino who is willing to spend his entire life to bring freedom and peace to his
family and nation.

Hence, I will value all the moral and life lessons I've learned in this subject. I strongly
believe that our love for the country is an instrument for change. Even at this time that we have
freedom, we should still be mindful of all the injustices happening in our surroundings. Although
the Philippines has been a democratic state, there are still abuses, corruption, and injustices
coming from our own people. These people include corrupt government officials. Let us not
freedom give advantage to officials with bad intentions rule our country. Instead, we should
defend our rights in our peaceful ways, just like what Jose Rizal did during his time. As a
student, I will use my education as a powerful weapon in changing our country. I may not have
the intelligence and passion of Rizal in writing. Still, I know that by finishing my studies, I will
fully fulfill my responsibility as a Filipino citizen. Rizal taught me that the more educated a
person is, the more contribution he can make for his fellowmen. As Rizal's saying goes,
"Without education and liberty, which are the soil and the sun of man, no reform is possible, no
measure can give the result desired."

Jose Rizal is a kind, sympathetic, and generous citizen. He is an advocate for social
justice and equality, which is something we should all strive towards. If only thousands more
people were like Rizal, I feel our society would be in good shape. I constantly wish I could be
like him in certain aspects of his life, but I realize it is unlikely to happen. But what I'm doing is
trying my best, making every attempt to become a useful individual in all facets of life.

References:

Davis, B. (2021, May 15). What are the life and works of Rizal? – MVOrganizing. MVOrganizing.
https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-are-the-life-and-works-of-rizal/
Propaganda Movement | Facts, Definition, & History. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Propaganda-Movement
Jose Rizal’s Educational Background. (n.d.). The Jose Rizal.
https://joserizalproject.weebly.com/jose-rizalrsquos-educational-background.html