LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL (CONCEPT PAPER)
OUR NATIONAL HEROES
FOUGHT FOR OUR INDEPENDENCE
Submitted by:
Corvera, Ana Katrina
Gabreza, John Daniel
Perez, Ramon Andres
Yap, Sheila
Submitted to:
Jubas, Carmencita
INTRODUCTION
“Love of Country is never erased, once it gets to the heart”, a quote by
Jose Rizal. Four heroes remembered by history, Dr Jose Rizal, Andres
Bonifacio, General Antonio Luna, and Emilio Aguinaldo, displayed their love for
their country, fellowmen, and independence. This love cost their lives and all
they held dear.
Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, suffered in order to
awaken the spirit of nationalism and patriotism. He had to endure being away
from his family, his beloved, poverty, disease, loss, and eventually death. His
life a display of courage and sacrifice in order to awaken people of the truth of
their oppression and blind faith to an apostate religion. He fought peacefully
with a pen and yet was met with bullets in the end. Andres Bonifacio, another
hero and a true patriot, portrayed as traitor in his time but is now remembered
as a hero who gave his life for the country. Andres Bonifacio fought in a
different way. He established the organization “Katipunan” they were warriors
for freedom and liberty. General Antonio Luna, a man of great temper but great
talent, he was a general during the American occupation. He was a strategist
and patriot. He held contempt for those in position of power who he considered
traitors and cowards, people who were of no help during the revolution, these
were the same people who betrayed and killed him in the end. Emilio
Aguinaldo, is the first president and a military leader against the Spanish then
the Americans.
These are the well-known heroes that are still an inspiration today. They
displayed what the spirit of nationalism and patriotism. The value of giving
oneself for the country and the people. The importance of freedom and liberty.
Their lives serve as a pillar of the country on which it stands today. This
country may be under the influence of ignorance and colonial mentality, but
this were the very same problems they faced. It is important for Filipinos to be
what our heroes expect Filipinos to be, the hope of the nation. Their lives can
inspire and awaken the spirit of nationalism resting in each Filipinos.
Our independence is a gift to us from our ancestors. Unlike other gifts,
the price they paid for it was eternal. People such as José Rizal, Andres
Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo gave their all in a white flame of sacrifice on the
altar of their nation. They lived, suffered and died for their noble cause,
knowing they might never see the next sunrise. Still, they fought on. In La Liga
group Andres Bonifacio said: “In the fury of your struggle, some of you might
die in the midst of battle, but this is an honor that will be a legacy to our race
and our progeny.” Together with Jose Rizal and countless others, their words of
inspiration fill our minds and hearts like blood clots of revelation from the
wounds of humanity. They, like many others, answered the call of our native
land the call of freedom.
In Andres Bonifacio (Unang Pangulo) movie, the movie let us realize what
are the real happenings during his times and the KKK. Most of the stories we
heard and books said that Bonifacio was trying to cheat during the elections
for president in KKK, which is not true. Due to accusations on Bonifacio,
Bonifacio decided to let the election not effective with his power as "Supremo"
in the KKK revolution. Emilio's plans will be unsuccessful if Bonifacio is still
alive, because most of the Katipuneros are on Bonifacio's side, so Emilio
Aguinaldo decided to let Andres and his brother be captured and killed There
are different laws in KKK government and in the Kastila's government. KKK
revolution was being implemented for them (Filipinos) to fight against the
Spaniards and to put and end to the 300 years of colonization.
We should look back on the glories of the past with profound pride,
remembering the sacrifices as we till the fields that have soaked up blood from
countless battles, as we idly cruise through cities that stood witnesses to the
marks of history and as we look upon the faces of our fellowmen, knowing that
it is for them they fought. Lives were lost all throughout the dark moments of
history and yet these moments are the ones that have further strengthened our
patriotic love for our motherland.
Jose Rizal, for our own insights, tells the value of certain things which is
important for the success of his life. That is God, Family, Country and Self. He
could not reach as that far without God. The Lords is the most important one
who could determine our success, just like as Rizal feared God and in return,
he have been bless abundantly not by material things only but a spiritual one.
That is intelligence, skills, love, and compassion. Also, the role of family is next
important for Rizal had been blessed with a family who could guide him to
what he really aims. Even nowadays, family is one of the foundations of a
person’s character. Next one is country! For Rizal’s portray the love of the
country as a means of loving his fellow Filipino, thus helping them to attain
justice from the evil and corrupt priest and Spaniards who are mistreating
them in their own land for God has created us to extend our help with our
fellow as a symbol of glorifying Him. And last is Self. I have learned from Rizal’s
life that you should make yourself fruitfully. He makes himself grow to wisdom
and knowledge to use it in God’s purpose. He did not say to himself that he is
not worth enough and live blind for what is happening in his environment.
Thus, he is knowing that he is a child of God.
Moreover, Rizal proved that pen is mightier than a sword. For his
expertise in writings enable him to convince his whole fellowmen to attain
justice, thus destroying an empire. For words flies wherever and ignites every
man’s feelings. Just like as a saying says that word is powerful, there comes
positive and negative in it. It could heal one’s heart but also harm another like
a double-edged sword.
The common point provides the resolution to the interrogation of “how
was the Filipino identity established?” And it is the invaluable sacrifice of all
the Filipino heroes. There cannot be a degree of comparison amongst the
individuals who forfeited their finite lives. Yet, their sacrifice for the noble
cause will make them immortals, as they will have their names inaugurated
and cemented in the eternal history.
