Hello people!

I’m Fatima Flor Templo and I will share my ideas and knowledge regarding this topic to
help you. But if you will copy this, PLEASE FOLLOW THE PROPER CITATION AND DON’T PLAGIARIZE.
Thank You. J July 14, 2017

Who is Pepe? Explain.

Pepe is Jose P. Rizal. He is our National Hero. The author of the famous book Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo. He is the great and remarkable captain of revoulution and one of the most notable
propagandist and prominent contributor in the Philippine history as well as in the Phillipine Literature.

Why does Pepe ask the persona about the purgatory?

Meriam Webster Dictionary stated that in Roman Catholic, purgatory is a place of suffering of the souls
who died. And I think he asked the persona about it because he thinks that purgatory is the
consequences for rebelling the Outsiders and waking up the Filipinos to use the sword against them and
on the top of that, he asked about it because he nearly feel that his life is about to end.

The poem talks about the nature of stars. Can you explain what he means, in terms of science?

A star is a big, hot ball of fire. Stars are born to do its duty and function in the universe. It is to give heat
and light to the planets and other heavenly bodies. And once it reaches the coldest temperature, it will
stop living but it will continue to shine as if it is not dead.

This discussion of a star is also a metaphor. What is it a metaphor for? Explain.

The star refers to Jose Rizal. Like a star, he was born to do his purpose here on earth. It is to bring hope
and light not just to the Filipinos but also to other nations who suffer the same way as we witness it to
the hands of the foreign subjugator. Like a star that is million miles away from us, his light will still
continue to shine conquering our mind and soul through his Literature Artworks.

Why was Rizal executed? How is this similar to the idea of a star? Relate this to Philippine history.

Rizal was executed because his writings are act of rebellion against the Spanish Government. It is similar
to a star because his works will remain as part of the Philippine History. I am assured that Rizal and other
valiant writers left a mark that will always be remembered through generations.
What do you think the persona felt for Rizal? Give textual evidence.

“And on this day, with the year beginning to turn, Salt sting my eyes.” As analyzing this phrase, I think the
persona felt for Rizal is too painful and forlorn because he knows that Rizal wants to be free in ur own
country. And the words are not enough to unite all Filipino as one to fight and to make the Spaniards
leave in our own land.

Do you feel the same way? Why or why not?

I feel the same way because First, Rizal just stated the fact about the way of ruling of Spaniards in our
nation and he just wanted to be free from their abusive hand. Secondly, he also put an effort to write in
order to know what is the true face or identity of the outlanders. And lastly, as the bible says in the Ten
Commandments which is the teaching of the Roman Catholic, a man should not kill a man. Rizal is a
human, we don’t have the right to take away anyone’s life.

What would you say was Rizal’s greatest contribution to Philippine society?

I think the greatest contribution of Rizal in our country is his sayings and published works, The Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo because without this, we will not be aware of what they’ve (Spaniards)
done to us as well as not knowing what our history is.

If you were in Rizal’s place, would you have supported the Katipunan? Why or why not?

If you think critically, a Spaniard with a big gun versus Filipino with a bolo. Spaniards have tons of army
who are trained well. Filipinos will never win against their cannons and guns. If I were Rizal, I will not
support the Katipunan. Supporting them is a suicide. We have no match against the foreign subjugator.

Who do you consider as our national hero? Jose Rizal or Andres Bonifacio?

“Pen is mightier than the sword.” And because of that I will still consider Rizal as our National Hero.
Through his skills in writing, he use this to lead a rebellion and he clearly stated the immorality and
villainy of Spaniards toward Filipinos. And because of his patriotism in his published works, every Filipino
who reads it awaken his mind and soul to start a revolution and be united as one to fight against the
vulgar Spaniards. Unlike Bonifacio who prefer a remorseless bloody rebellion, Jose Rizal stays a silent
warrior who leaves a primary source or evidence of what he really did for our country.