Alindada, Reaction Paper (Rizal 1998)

ALINDADA, JOSE ALDRICH MATTHEW ZGE_1109 – LIFE AND WORKS OF
RIZAL
D11F PROF. LEONARDO GARCIA
Jose Rizal:
A Reaction Paper
The biographical film Jose Rizal (1998) directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya shows the
life and struggles of our national hero during the colonization of the Spaniards in the
Philippines. The movie introduces us to the dreadful situation of the Filipinos under the
evil tyranny of the Catholic Church. This stirred the mind and the heart of Rizal to fight
for the liberty of his countrymen.
Before understanding the life of Rizal, I was sceptical as to why he became our
national hero. Why not Bonifacio or the other heroes? Rizal did nothing but write the
novels – Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo which seemed as an anti-Church. But
more than that, upon watching the film, his cry for independence paved the way for the
Filipinos to fight back and made them realize that their rights were abolished.
I commend the film for showing excellence in portraying what happened to Rizal and
the Philippines during that time. The casts delivered their roles very well especially to
Cesar Montano who starred as Jose Rizal. The plot however, was very complicated, but
not that difficult to follow. I think the highlights of Rizal’s life was not only during his exile
in Dapitan but as well as the process of creating his novels.
He made reforms, he plead through his writings and he courageously laid his
opposition against the inhumane and brutal management of the Spaniards over the
Filipinos. Rizal was not terrified with the strong power of the Spaniards. He remained
fighting for freedom, and until his last breath. To gain independence and recover
nationalism, to get back our national identity which had seemed forgotten because of
Spanish colonization – these were his dreams.
Rizal as Christian did not believe in the Catholic dogma that salvation was only for
Catholics and that outside Christianity; salvation was not possible. Nor did he believe
the Catholic philosophy of money indulgence for the forgiveness of sins. Though Rizal
was born from a closely-knit Catholic Family, he still fought for what is true. He has
gone that far in his attainments, yet, he did not lose his humility and his faith to God.
Although he did not approve of the revolution, it had seemed that there was no other
way to fight back. It may seem that it was Bonifacio’s efforts which made change and
impact. But, without Rizal, without his works, Andres’ movement would also not occur.
Like many people’s successes, there needs to be a dream, a goal, a hope of some kind.
Andres’ ambitions were sparked by Rizal and, not only Andres’ was inspired by Rizal’s
books
I was impressed by the following lines in the movie: (1) during his visit in Madrid, he
said, “Unless we first learn self-respect, we will not be respected by any other peoples.
(2) after receiving his death sentence, when his barrister said that he is ashamed of
being a Spanish, Rizal said, “no we’re just the same human being”. Rizal was no
perfect man nor his ideas. It was in fact that his death was victorious. His words are
remarkable, something that every Filipinos should be proud of.
I can say that Rizal is a very humane, compassionate and benevolent citizen. If I
would define what noble is, I’d say Dr. Jose P. Rizal. He is a man of his words, and his
love for his country is beyond comparable. He is just like any of us bearing the features
of a Filipino. He was this powerful with a pen in his hand and his love for the country
was able to change the Philippine history. His love for education is worthy of note as
well. He is an ambassador or social justice and equality, which is a very good thing that
we should follow.
The death of Dr. Jose Rizal is the birth of our independence. His life and works
serves as an eye-opener. Let us not forget how he fought hard along with other Filipino
heroes to regain our freedom and take back our own country.

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ALINDADA, JOSE ALDRICH MATTHEW ZGE_1109 – LIFE AND WORKS OF

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