Question: How does Rizal’s life and works shaped the Philippines today?

BOTTOM LINE

(From various angle that must to be considered...)

Denying the past is just the same as rejecting the present because the past has

contributed a myriad of things in creating our present towards the future.

When we go through the history of the Philippines, there is this one being that

very famous and almost shared his whole life in the very complicated story of our past.

He is a boy who was born on June 19, 1861, at the town of Calamba in the province of

Laguna. A man who is full of dreams and goals for his countryman. A human being with

various amazing talents and skills that led him to have multiple professions. And

especially, a Filipino that made the image of resourceful Filipino to be known in a

different country that he went through. He is none other than José Protasio Rizal

Mercado Y Alonso Realonda (Affiliated of his name is various history and background

story that made this name too long.), seventh child of Francisco Mercado and Teodora

Alonzo who have eleven children in total. His own life set our mother country to fully

understand and realize the malicious action of our community at that time, the unhealthy

rulership of the conqueror, the Spaniards. Moreover, his image became the standard of

a Filipino who has love and care for the country, a nationalist and patriotic kind of being.

Furthermore, Dr. Jose P. Rizal considered the national hero of the Philippines. He was

the person who drove the Filipinos to begin an upset against the Spanish Government

to accomplish the opportunity and to deal with the nation. He is notable for being a
proselytizer and his method for battling the Spanish Government through his

composition by uncovering the ruthless control of the Spanish Government in the

Philippines. He decided to have a quiet war and not a ridiculous war since he feels that

it is the best way to pick up opportunities. Through that, several Filipinos were

persuaded to get that opportunity. They began numerous rebellions against the Spanish

Government. In connection, Jose Rizal had been vocal against the Spanish

government, however in a quiet and dynamic way. For him, “the pen was mightier than

the sword.” means that he has strong faith in the power of literature than the war that

will cause blood flood. He used his skills in doing literature to express his message and

care for his countrymen and to address and to expose the wrongness and corruption in

the government of Spaniard and even the friars. In other side, these personalities of our

national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal are proofs of his too many credentials to be chosen as

our national legend. We can't ignore the power and popularity indicated in the name of

Jose Rizal or Pepe. We can't deny the fact that Dr. Jose P. Rizal is a being that gifted.

Hence, he is being idolized by many of us and set as our standard of being a good

citizen one. These must be the reason why Rizal's life and works really can be seen in

the way of living of today's generation and why that Rizal has a great impact in creating

the character of few.

As we go through the discussion regarding the data about the shreds of evidence

of the influences of Rizal's life and work to the mindset, way of living, and standard of

every Filipino in today's generation. Let me offer upon to you my six points or arguments

that will explain further later in each next paragraph that will confirm that Rizal

contributed in us as Filipino, and citizen of present era. In the positive points are the
constant talented image of Filipino, the importance of education because of Dr. Jose

Protacio Rizal, and the freedom of everyone. While, the negative one are the Rizal VS

Bonifacio (and other heroes): who deserves to be the National Hero, the questionable

life of Rizal and the issue reagarding the Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal

Law. These all argument will be examined, further explained and connected towards the

context of Generation Z “or short for Gen Z is the newest generation to be named and

were born between 1995 and 2015. Furthermore, Generation Z refers to babies born

from the mid-2000s through today, although the term isn’t yet widely used. They are

currently between 4-24 years old. Realistically, the name Generation Z is a place-holder

for the youngest people on the planet. It is likely to morph as they leave childhood and

mature into their adolescent and adult identities.” ( Kasasa, 2019).

And after we have discussed who is Dr. José Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso

Realonda and how his life became so useful in both past and present. We will now go

deeper towards explaining each of my points that guided with my trusted facts form

secured sources.

First will be my point about the continuously rising of Filipino pride all over the

World and let connect the influence of our dear legend. I’ve gathered some facts

regarding the inspiring journey of our dear young and successful Filipino achievers that

waved our flag over the continents of the world. Let us start with “Marlon Stockinger is

one of the talented few living the ultimate racer dream. The first Filipino to win a

European formula race, Marlon sped through the circuits of Formula BMW Europe,

Formula Renault UK, the GP3 Series, and until 2015, the Formula Renault 3.5 Series;
Fourth Impact conquered London’s Wembley Stadium when they audition for the

British X Factor. Almira (28), Irene (26), Mylene (24), and Celina (20) Cercado are

veterans of local singing contests and have represented the country in the World

Championships of Performing Arts” (WhenInManila) and many more inspiring story of

talented Filipino youth in various field such as music, performances, literature, and

sports that really made our mother-country happy. These examples of encouraging

narrative of these various talented Filipino youth really contributed pride in our identity

and name as Filipino. Hearing this kind of account will give us hope that we are

improving in many aspects. We are not a third-world but rather a world-class of

individual. And based in my observation, whenever we hear some story about the

victory of someone, we are oriented as well behind this voyage that looking forward to a

process of reaching their desires and wanted popular name. It is not new to us the

struggles and hindrance that they had faced to deal with their victory in life ad some of

these Filipino youth are came from the silver lining of our society which is we can

visualized the truth that they started from zero and sacrificed their blood, sweat and

golden time to gain and collect matters for learning and improvement. The truth that

they had been possessed true characteristics of a bold and clever-headed Filipino that

made them to be on the top of their very own triumph. This issue has connection to the

legacy and influenced of our National hero. In accordance to the powerful and one of

the signature lines of Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal that “Youth is the hope of our motherland.”

we can see that our legend trusted a lot the skills of the youth our nation. And this point

will be strengthened by what I have gathered that “More than 120 years since his

death, the life and works of Jose Rizal continue to serve as an inspiration to young
Filipinos — for he embodied not only love of country and his fellowmen but also

displayed an immense passion for excellence and great achievement.” (Romualdez,

2019). Included in this article is the news regarding the 26 th Jose Rizal Youth Awards

that held at the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C.’s Chancery Annex. A total of

eight outstanding Filipino-American students from the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia)

area received the Dr. Jose Rizal Youth Awards who have displayed academic

excellence, leadership and volunteerism within their respective communities. Wherein

the “Winners for the 26th Jose Rizal Youth Awards went through a stringent process

from a selection committee led by PAFC director John Victoria. The process included

the submission of a video reflection and a personal poem about Rizal’s poem Mi Ultimo

Adios (My Last Farewell). The young candidates were also asked to put themselves in

the shoes of Rizal and give one “last advice” to their countrymen.” (Romualdez, 2019).

At this aritcile we can say that Dr. Jose Rizal put incredible significance on the young.

From one viewpoint, he rouses an unflinching confidence in the capacity of youngsters

to gain from the encounters of their older folks and in their mental fortitude to start

changes. Then again, Dr. Rizal keeps on admonishing the present age to ingrain the

correct qualities in their youngsters and ensure that they grow up to be profitable and

upstanding individuals from society.

The first point is somehow related to my second one, the importance of

Education in our country. And just because Dr. Jose Rizal fully believes with the talents

and capabilities of our dear youth. We must be aware and oriented that Education plays

significant and useful mean for everyone who has a future and the primary role of young

people is to get a good education to become better citizens of tomorrow. They need to
learn skills to do the job that their country’s economy needs. They also need to know

how to read, write, think, understand, analyze, and discuss the issues their country

faces. The entire success of the nation depends on the youths. However, for continuous

success to take place; it is the Government’s responsibility to provide the youth with

proper facilities for, getting equipped with the knowledge of the modern era. We can’t

set aside the truth that our beloved youth is the spring of life. It is the age of discovery

and dreams. They have the power to transform the nation into a better place. They also

can lead their fellow citizens into the right direction. Youths are fighters. They fight for

an identity in society, equality, the homeless, bullying, unemployment, exploitation,

poverty and other problems which the world faces today. All of them hopes for a world

full of opportunities, so great minds can conquer them and become better individuals.

They need good morals and values to handle disputes in a positive way. Just like how

Jose Rizal gave importance the help of education in building someone that strong in

mind and have a smart thinking that led him to become a talented and skillful being of

his time/era. Additional facts, Dr. Jose Rizal studied and got opportunities to learn a

many times. In fact, He didn’t see the issue of his family in relation to the government of

Spanish as hindrance of him in pursuing his dream and desire to learn because he has

goals and mission to address the malicious ruling of Spaniards in his time and to use his

skills in creating literature to be an instrument to revealed the wrongness of government

in his time and for the records documents for the future that we still use. Youths seems

to have the ability to face any challenges and obstacles. They have a positive influence

on their fellow young people. They can teach them the positive things in life. The ones

whom are destroying their future, they tend to listen to their fellow youths. They will
make them understand the value of a good education. In all, the issue towards the

significances of education is a fruit of inspiration of what Dr. Jose Rizal used to believe

in creating a strong nation with independent people. Most of the students who believe in

the power of education are also the students who look Rizal as an inspiration.

Third one is the all about having freedom. All I know that Rizal death serves as

spark of awareness of every Filipino. “Rizal gave us freedom by using goodness. Jose

Rizal became the Philippine national hero because he fought for freedom in a silent but

powerful way. He expressed his love for the Philippines through his novels, essays and

articles rather than through the use of force or aggression. He was a very amazing

person at his time. He was humble, fighting for reforms through his writings instead of

through a revolution. He used his intelligence, talents and skills in a more peaceful way

rather than the aggressive way.” (weebly.com). He emphasized, however, that like any

Filipino, he desired our country’s freedom; and that education and hard work might

make the Filipino people worthy of that freedom. Elsewhere, Rizal wrote: “What is the

use of independence if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow? And no

doubt they will, because whoever submits to tyranny loves it!” For Rizal, “The gift of

reason with which we are endowed must be brightened and utilized” to overcome

ignorance which causes slavery.” In fact, Rizal used his skills in creating a work

addressing issue in our society. He wrote two novels, Touch Me Not and The

Subversive, which attacked the abuses of the Philippines' Spanish rulers. They were

immediately banned but circulated underground to nurture a fervent nationalist spirit.

The freedom that the present generation has is because of our heroes such as Dr. Jose

Rizal. We celebrate having independence in myriad things and we use our rights in
building our own selves. We know how to deal with rights and freedom that must be in

lined in good things and without any bias and unethical aspects. We were aware from

the responsibility in independence that we had.

And now let’s move on the negative points that questioning the information about

Rizal but have a hundred percentages that Rizal influenced these issues. These are the

following points that I’ve observed under the influences of the details of Dr. Jose Rizal.

Rizal V.S Bonifacio, who deserves to be at the place of National Hero. “The

Americans decided for him being a nataional hero at their time in the country. It is said

that the Americans, Civil Governor William Howard Taft, chose Jose Rizal to be the

national hero as a strategy. Rizal didn't want bloody revolution in his time. So they

wanted him to be a "good example" to the Filipinos so that the people will not revolt

against the Americans. Rizal became a National Hero because he passed the criteria by

being a National Hero during the American period.” (weebly.com). It seems that this is

not enough to be used as ground of deciding. Some of the opinions and research of

Filipino are in favor of Andres Bonifacio to be the National Hero than Dr. Jose Rizal.” I

was tempted to say that Bonifacio should be our national hero because his story is more

reflective of the painful struggles of our people. But Bonifacio himself confessed that he

was inspired to do what he did by the writings of Rizal. To me now, both should be

declared our national heroes on equal footing. If Rizal had the Bonifacio’s passion for

action, and had Bonifacio been gifted with the wisdom of Rizal, and if the two had lived

a hundred years before 1898, we would not have been oppressed by Spain for 377

years.” (Jimenez, 2018). From this stand, we can see that influences of Rizal is too
powerful than the others that for me is his (Rizal) advantage to be the Idol of mass and

to be the National Hero of all. Rizal perfectly fitted in the criteria of being the National

artist; “1. Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and

struggle for the nation’s freedom. In reality, however, a revolution has no end.

Revolutions are only the beginning. One cannot aspire to be free only to sink back into

bondage. 2. Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system or life of freedom

and order for a nation. Freedom without order will only lead to anarchy. Therefore,

heroes are those who make the nation’s constitution and laws. To the latter,

constitutions are only the beginning; for it is the people living under the constitution that

truly constitute a nation. 3. Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and

destiny of a nation, as defined by Dr. Onofre D. Corpuz” (weebly.com). And for me each

angle must be respected and analyzed well.

Next is the questionable life and details of Jose Rizal. Even our National hero is

not exempted in criticism since he is a very popular being. Hence, he must be critiqued

well in order to clear some issue but here were happened. Based on the source that I’ve

gathered. Jose Rizal was not an ophthalmologist, since he doesn’t have a license that

will proved that he was a physician but still he practiced this field. “Jose Rizal opposed

the 1896 Revolution and wanted the assimilation of the Philippines to Spain- “According

to Rizal’s correspondence to his friend and mentor, Ferdinand Blumentritt, he already

expressed that an assimilation to Spain was a mistake. In his first letter dated Feb. 21,

1887, Rizal said: “The Filipinos had long wished for Hispanization and they were wrong

in aspiring for it. It is Spain and not the Philippines who ought to wish for the

assimilation of the country.”

 In another letter dated Jan. 26, 1887, he said: “A peaceful struggle shall always

be a dream, for Spain will never learn the lesson of her South American colonies. Spain

cannot learn what England and the United States have learned. But, under the present

circumstances, we do not want separation from Spain. All that we ask is greater

attention, better education, better government [officials], one or two representatives [in

parliament], and greater security for persons and our properties. Spain could always win

the appreciation of Filipinos if she were only reasonable.” (Ladrido, 2017). And two

more (Jose Rizal’s La Liga Filipina was an enemy of Bonifacio’s Katipunan and the

history behind the poem of his “SA AKING MGA KABABATA” These issue or myths

were tackled among the various discussion of several Filipino that have been answered

as the time goes by. Look how the Filipino put time in criticizing Rizal, it seems that they

want to know deeper the truth behind Rizal because Rizal is a popular one that many of

can consider it. And maybe because just like Rizal we must thing critically and that is

how Rizal influenced us with this issue.

Last issue that has been inspired by the Rizal was all about the Rizal Law. In

1956, the Philippine government passed the “Rizal Law,” requiring that all universities

provide mandatory courses on José Rizal and his works. Interestingly, this was opposed

by the Catholic Church, which continued to resent its portrayal in Rizal’s novels despite

the Filipino clergy’s early association with the nationalist movement. Church leaders

accused the bill’s proponent, Senator Claro M. Recto, of being a communist and anti-

Catholic. The final bill included a provision allowing Catholic students to refrain from

reading Rizal’s works, citing conscientious objections. This law became hot when others

expressed their thoughts upon the use of this law and subject as well. Many think that it
just an additional work loads. Besides, there is still being that supported the issue. “The

teaching of the Rizal course in the classroom is intended to awaken the sense of

patriotism and nationalism in every Filipino youth and push them to apply the principles

bequeathed by Rizal as solutions to present day problems… Deeper understanding of

Rizal has been blocked by our interest in such things as the Internet. Some of us know

Rizal only by name. And not knowing him, we have become what Rizal fought against

all his life. We have become indifferent.” (Quizon, 2011). Her stand elaborated my

thought to the more appropriate in context. It is sad that some of the new generation

didn’t find the real means of Rizal Law in helping us to understand our identity through

the life of Dr. Jose Rizal.

Jose Rizal made me believe in the saying that “Pen is mightier than the sword”,

that words are the still the most powerful weapon against the enemies, that you can still

win a battle through words. We cannot learn to love our country by not knowing

important people and events in our country. Just like what I’m doing right now, a

productive research on how the life and works of Rizal Influences the generation z, my

generation and at the same time it serves as an avenue for me learn myriad of

information and facts that lighted me to come up with this academic paper. A side form

that, I stated what my stand is that really implicates that even me, my belief, my identity

and my desires were influenced by the great influencer of all generation, José Protacio

Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda.

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