15 Ericka Isabelle C. Faciol Grade 12 – St.

Teresa of Avila

Rizal Performance Task #3: Reaction Paper on 2 Articles from Ambeth Ocampo’s Rizal Without the
Overcoat

Article 1: Rizal As Role Model for Students

In Rizal class, I learned that Jose Rizal was basically the epitome of a good and bright student.
He got the best grades and excelled in athletics. I also learned that Rizal’s vision for the youth is
education and to excel in the different fields such as arts and sciences. So, I decided to explore more
on his dream for the youth. I wanted to discover how Rizal thought of education since he was considered
as a diligent student. Finally, because I am studying Rizal’s life, this article could also help me
comprehend more on Rizal as a student and how his legacy in the aspect of education influences the
Filipino youth now.

According to Ocampo (2003), being a descendant of Rizal was more of a curse than a privilege.
This is because they were often compared to Rizal’s perfection when it came to education. However, it
was exposed that Rizal was not the “Ace Student”. Though he got sobresaliente in all his subjects in
Ateneo de Municipal, he was not the valedictorian of his class. In fact, he was not the only student who
got that grade, but 8 other students had the same grade as him. Moreover, his grades in UST were not
the best as well.

I realized that Rizal should not be set as a kind of standard for education. He should not be used
as a comparison to students who are not as smart as he was. As a young Filipino adult, I should know
that it feels discouraging and doubtful to be compared to a standard that cannot be reached in reality.
Moreover, Rizal’s dream to establish a Colegio Moderno in Hong Kong was too rigid and strict
(Ocampo, 2003). It had no room for imagination and freedom. As a student, I should be encouraged to
change, to imagine, and to explore. Rizal’s program could not survive in the modern world now because
of the constant change and innovation that is happening. For young Filipinos like me to excel in
education, we must also adapt to the change and have a flexible program of education to fully enhance
our skills and knowledge.

Despite all this, Rizal as a student and his excellent standing in education is still a means of
promoting his life to the younger generation as an inspiration, and not as a comparison. This article
enables the promotion of studying Rizal’s life to the younger generation through his diligence and
conscientiousness being used as an inspiration for students to strive better in their studies. This is in
order to improve and develop their learnings for the betterment of their future. Through being an
inspiration, Jose Rizal can still continue on his educational legacy and fulfill his vision. Lastly, combining
Rizal’s educational behavior and the 21st century learning, the youth now will not only be able to achieve
the best, but also heighten their minds according to the modernization of our world.

Article 2: The Interior Designer in Rizal

Jose Rizal was always referred to as an artistic guy – he paints, he makes sculptures and
composes poems. But as stated in the article, Rizal might have an eye for interior design (Ocampo,
2003). As a student of Rizal’s life, this article serves as additional knowledge on Rizal’s numerous
talents and abilities. Him being considered as an interior designer gives more depth to his character
and personality as an artist and as an observer. His meticulous creativity has captured my eye as he
described the Kapitan’s house with full detail in his novel, Noli Me Tangere. Because of this, it gave me
a more vivid view on what houses were like during the Spaniards time. His sharp eye helps me as a
student to understand more how the surroundings and environment felt like in his time, and further
grasp what Rizal is trying to convey.

Ocampo (2003) mostly talked about Rizal’s descriptions of the walls of different houses in
different nations such as the Philippines, Paris, Germany and other countries in Europe. The excerpts
from his descriptions were very detailed, wide-ranging and complete. And I believe as a young Filipino
adult, it is important to be as observant and attentive as Rizal was. It is important to be observant of
the events around me such as politics, news and people. Through this, I will be able to be up to date
with the current affairs of the country, and at a smaller scale, I will be able to sympathize with people.
Being watchful at this age is essential because I am at the verge of being an adult, and as a young
adult, it is my duty to know what is happening to the country right now, and think of ways on how to
develop its current status, and as a student, I can do this through proper education.

Due to Rizal’s sharp eye, the younger generation will also be encouraged to open their eyes and
minds as well to the real world and observe the things around. The younger generation – through the
study of Rizal’s life – will be able to be as vigilant as him in terms of their environment, and be an active
citizen of the Philippines. Moreover, since this is the age of technology, the spread of fake news is also
prevailing. Through being attentive like Rizal, the younger generation will be able to tell which news is
true and spread the correct information to the public. Because the world is constantly upgrading and
slowly degrading as well, the younger generation must be alert and watchful of their decisions, actions
and choices in order to improve the place we live in.

Bibliography:

Ocampo, A. R. (2003). Rizal without the overcoat. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Anvil Pub.