Let the dawn shed over me its radiant flashes, Let the wind with sad lament over me keen ; And if on my cross a bird should be seen, Let it trill there its hymn of peace to my ashes. ― José Rizal, Mi Ultimo Adiós

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20TH JANUARY 2023 | PAGE 2

AN INTRO TO THE LIFE AND WORKS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL "The Impact of José Rizal: A Look Back at the Life and Works of a Filipino Hero"

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José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda is one of the most influential Filipino heroes of all time. He was born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna, where he spent the majority of his childhood. He was a polymath, with skills and talents in a variety of different fields. He was a physician, a writer, a poet, a painter, a sculptor, an architect, a farmer, and a linguist.

Rizal was a prolific writer and essayist, writing about a variety of topics. He published numerous books, including “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”, both of which were aimed at exposing the abuses of the Spanish colonial government in the Philippines. His works inspired several generations of Filipinos to stand up for their rights and fight for independence from Spain. Rizal was also a physician. He studied medicine in Spain, where he earned his medical degree. He also worked as a doctor in the Philippines, treating patients and teaching medical students. He was keenly aware of the poor health conditions of the Filipino people and wrote extensively on the need for improved public health. Rizal was an accomplished artist as well. He painted and sculpted a variety of works, some of which still survive today. He was also an architect, designing a number of buildings in the Philippines. He was also a linguist, mastering several languages including Spanish, German, and English. Rizal was arrested by the Spanish colonial government in 1896 for his outspoken criticism of the abuses of the Spanish. He was executed on December 30, 1896 in Manila, becoming a martyr for Filipino independence. His legacy lives on in the Philippines today, and he is remembered as a national hero.

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"Rizal's Contributions to Philippine Society and His Legacy of Nationalism"

Rizal's works had a profound effect on Philippine society, influencing its views on national identity, the Catholic faith and its influence on Filipino choice, and the government issues of corruption, abuse and discrimination. On a larger scale, his works addressed the effects of colonization on people's lives and the cause for independence. It is important to recognize the importance of Rizal's ideals and teachings in relation to present conditions and situations in society, thus developing an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and died for.

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Jose Rizal left us with pertinent literary works; some notable examples are "To the Filipino Youth", a literary poem written when he was studying at the University of Santo Tomas, "Noli Me Tangere", a passionate exposure of the evils of Spanish rule in the Philippines, and "El Filibusterismo", a sequel of the former that established his reputation as the leading figure of the Philippines reform movement Rizal's works were written out of his undying love for his country and hunger for independence. He was an instrument of our country in seeking freedom and bravely spoke out about the conditions and real situations that happened during Spanish colonization. We should pay tribute to our national hero for his devotion to mold the Filipino character, an inspiration that will lead us to live life and uphold ideals aiming for freedom and nationalism.

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20TH JANUARY 2023 | PAGE 3

“Rizal's Ideas and their Impact on Philippine Culture” José Rizal is widely considered the greatest hero of the Philippines, and his works have had a lasting impact on Filipino culture. He was a witness to the injustices of Spanish rule and pushed for reforms that would recognize Filipino rights and improve their quality of life. He also championed the idea of a unified Philippine nation and sought to create a common identity for all Filipinos. After traveling in Europe, Rizal was exposed to the idea of a unified European nation and argued that the same could be achieved in the Philippines. He also called for reforms that would improve access to education and create a sense of national pride and unity. His ideas and reforms were essential in the development of a modern Filipino nation, and his works have become essential reading for those studying Philippine history and culture. His legacy will continue to inspire future of Filipinos.

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Maria Angelita Delfin Aycard Ressa

Efren Geronimo Peñaflorida Jr.

Maria Ressa, a Filipino journalist and CEO of the online news site Rappler, has been compared to Jose Rizal in terms of her commitment to freedom of speech, democracy, and holding those in power accountable. Like Rizal, Ressa has used her platform to expose corruption and injustices, and has been a vocal critic of the current Philippine government. Both Ressa and Rizal have faced persecution for their work, with Ressa being arrested and facing numerous legal cases, and Rizal being exiled and eventually executed. Additionally, both Ressa and Rizal have been recognized internationally for their contributions to the Philippines and their fight for freedom and democracy.

He is considered a modern-day Jose Rizal because of his dedication to promoting education and literacy among children in poor communities through his innovative "pushcart classroom" program. He is a teacher and social worker known for his selfless service to the less fortunate, particularly children, and his strong sense of nationalism. He is a leader who is known for his creativity, resourcefulness, and determination in addressing social issues. He is also an advocate of peace and non-violence, and his pushcart classroom program is a way of promoting education and literacy in a peaceful way. He is an inspiration to many, and his work has been recognized both locally and internationally, including the CNN Hero of the Year award in 2009. He serves as an example of how one person can make a difference in the lives of many, just like Rizal did.

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"The Iron Lady of Asia" Miriam Palma DefensorSantiago GCS QSC RMA She is considered a modern-day Jose Rizal because of her strong sense of nationalism and her dedication to fighting for the rights and welfare of the Filipino people. She is a lawyer, judge and a leader known for her intelligence, wit and integrity. She fought against corruption, promoted good governance and the rule of law, advocated for human rights, democracy and freedom of speech, and advocated for the rights of marginalized communities .Despite her battle with cancer, she remained unwavering and her ability to inspire others through her words and actions. She also received international recognition for her work through awards and accolades from different countries and organizations for her contributions to the field of law, governance and human rights.

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“Walang maitutugon ang wika sa tanong ng pag-ibig buhat sa isang sulyap na kumikislap o palihim. Sa halip, sumasagot ang ngiti, ang halik, o ang bugtonghininga”

― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere

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Latigo

Inang Bayan

Typical vs Ideal

The whip is often used as a symbol of cruelty and oppression, and this is especially true in the novels of Jose Rizal and the priest during the Spanish period in the Philippines. In Rizal's novels, the whip is used to represent the power imbalance between the privileged Spanish priests and the oppressed Filipino people.

Sisa symbolizes the Inang Bayan, which became an exile due to the unfortunate treatment of the Spaniards to the Filipinos. Rizal highlighted her as an example of a typical Filipino mother's willingness to stand up for her children in the face of any abuse or allegation. She took on the role of the homeland, which was in mourning for the death of her children, just as her figure had been in grief.

The character of Maria Clara in the novel “Noli Me Tangeri” serves as an example of the differences between an ideal woman and a typical woman. Maria Clara is the perfect example of a pious, submissive, and obedient Filipina, while Ibarra is independent and outspoken. Maria Clara’s faith and obedience to God is in contrast to Ibarra’s free-thinking and lack of religion.

This is seen in the novel Noli Me Tangere, in which Padre Damaso uses a whip to punish a peasant. In Amado V. Hernandez's poetry, the whip is often used as a metaphor for the brutality of the Spanish rulers. The symbol of the whip is a reminder of the suffering of the Filipino people under Spanish rule.

A series of terrible circumstances damaged her life, which symbolized the oppression inflicted on the motherland by her colonists.

Ultimately, Maria Clara is the ideal woman, representing traditional values, while Ibarra is the typical woman, representing the modern woman who is independent and unafraid to challenge the status quo.

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“YOU MUST SHATTER THE VASE TO SPREAD ITS PERFUME, AND SMITE THE ROCK TO GET THE SPARK."

― JOSÉ RIZAL, EL FILIBUSTERISMO

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SYMBOLISMS

LUCERNA In the novel "El Filibusterismo" by José Rizal, the lamp serves as a symbol of hope and enlightenment. The main character, Simoun, uses a lamp to represent the idea that knowledge and education can be used to bring about social change and improve the lives of the Philippines' oppressed masses. The chemical in the lamp represents the all the hatred and injustice masked in a clear liquid that will eventually cause the fall of corruption. The lamp also symbolizes the idea that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope for a better future.

BAPOR TABO Bapor tabo, a small boat, symbolizes the Philippines as a nation. The boat is described as being small, fragile, and at the mercy of the waves and winds, representing the Philippines' vulnerability and dependence on external forces.

The boat is the representation of the 19th century hierarchy which separates the upper class, middle class, and the lower class. The boat also represents the Philippines as a nation that is constantly struggling to navigate and survive in a hostile and oppressive environment..

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NOVEL

CHARACTERS IN THE

PART 1

MODERN TIME PILOSOPO TASYO

In a culture when a philosopher is contextualized as a character, the first person people think about is Pilosopong Tasyo (Tasyo the Philosopher). He is a character in the novel called Noli me Tangere. Being a traditionalist Catholic country, Philosophizing is discouraged and is evident in the words of most people: "Huwag kang pilosopo! (Don't be such a philosopher!)" Oftentimes children are told not to reason with their elders, that is their older siblings, uncles, aunts and parents or anyone that is older. Children must not ask questions and just need to obey. But we as humans even as kids have this urge to ask questions and to rationalize and this simply cannot go on. People cannot handle hard questions that challenge what they have been taught and most people who do so are treated as either crazy or just plainly ignored.

CRISPIN

Crispin represents the innocents who have been wrongly accused of the crime they did not commit. The injustice they suffered under the hands of the authorities during their time were silenced by their deaths and the coverups that follow it. An example of this is the case of Kian Delos Santos. Kian delos Santos, who was killed at 17, was dragged through the dirt during an anti-drug operation and made to kneel by three Caloocan police officers who eventually shot him. Police later lied and claimed that the teenager violently resisted arrest until CCTV footage later proved otherwise. Unlike Kian Delos Santos' case, Crispin never got the justice he deserved.

MARIA CLARA Maria Clara was a strong Filipina character because of how she endured despite being portrayed as prim and delicate. That is something many women could live by today, not the archaic stereotype of femininity imposed on us. The evolution of the Filipina shows that Maria Clara does exist in today’s world, but she has transformed and adapted. The current Maria Clara is an amalgamation of the different types of Filipinas through time. She is a Filipina who has solid values and knows her worth, capabilities and rights. She applies her intelligence and skills to the home, business, or even government. She greatly contributes to society. There is a Maria Clara in every one of us. Indeed, we can genuinely say the Filipina has come a long way.

DONYA VICTORINA

We Filipinos are easily influenced by other nations. One of the examples is Doña Victorina, she is a character from Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel “Noli Me Tangere”. Doña Victorina is the vainest character and has a distorted view in her identity. A Filipino by birth, Doña Victorina is a woman who easily abandons her true identity for one that will get her to a higher place in life. A domineering person, she's committed to do anything to gain esteem, even intimidating her husband to improve their social standing by lying about his profession. Some Filipinos nowadays are like Doña Victorina or also called colonial mentality. There are social climbers like Dona Victorina who use their womanhood to gain wealth and fame, to be accepted by a society of false elites and pretentious social castes claimers.

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SISA

Sisa is a character in Noli Me Tangere, representing the typical Filipina wife who endures her husband’s abuse and neglect. She treasures her sons, Basilio and Crispin, and awaits their return from the church. Sisa serves as a metaphor for the suffering of the motherland at the time, exemplified through Crispin’s tragic death and constant abuse. She represents the reality of human existence, how God's plans were blemished and stained by man's greed and selfishness.

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NOVEL CHARACTERS CHARACTERS IN IN THE THE MODERN MODERN TIME TIME NOVEL PART 2

THE OPRESSOR

AND THE OPRESSED ELIAS He represents the common Filipino who is not only aware of the injustices done to their countrymen, but would also like to deliver them from their oppressors. His mentality and opinions are even more radical than Ibarra's because his class has suffered the most abuses and is already fed up. I believe that the modern counterparts of Elias are civil rights campaigners and even communist rebels, as their beliefs are typically more radical, as they have also encountered the worst of contemporary society. He is said to be likened to the famed Andres Bonifacio.

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CAPITAN TIAGO Capitan Tiago symbolizes the rich Pilipinos who oppress their fellow Pilipinos in exchange for the influence and the riches that they might gain from their powerful associations. His characters like that of Capitan Tiago personifies the traditional politicians who are not just around but are on top and well-entrenched today. He is the power-hungry influence-peddler, greedy for material possessions and lacking in the character of statesmen. He is without vision for the country and people, and always treats others with patronizing condescension and even contempt. He is arrogant, bossy and exceedingly zealous of his power to control the lives of others. Capitan Tiago's notorious lack of respect for human life was illustrated by his propensity to eliminate threats to his powers. He did not hesitate to kill as he caused the summary execution of Crisostomo's father, had his underlings throw away his body and the gravediggers had to bury it in shallow graves.

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KABANATA 136

SOCIAL ISSUES STATUS 136 YEARS AFTER PUBLISHED NOVELS BEFORE AND AFTER

Freedom of Speech / Activism The Philippines is known for its freedom of speech, a constitutional right since 1881. Under Spanish colonial rule, freedom of speech was limited and heavily censored, but today the Philippine government has taken steps to ensure the right is protected. The 1987 Constitution enshrines the right of the people to express their opinions freely and peacefully, including through the internet. It has also passed laws to protect journalists, created special courts to protect freedom of speech and taken steps to protect the rights of minorities. This is a testament to the progress the Philippines has made in protecting and promoting freedom of speech.

Police Brutality In the Philippines, police brutality is a huge problem. In the past year, there have been numerous reports of police officers using excessive force when dealing with civilians. In some cases, police officers have even killed civilians. One of the most high-profile cases of police brutality in the Philippines involved the death of Kian Loyd delos Santos. Santos was only 17 years old when he was killed by police officers. Santos was unarmed and had done nothing wrong. However, the police officers claimed that Santos was a drug dealer and they had to shoot him in self-defense. The problem of police brutality in the Philippines is not a new one. However, it seems to be getting worse. In the past year, there have been numerous reports of police officers using excessive force when dealing with civilians. After 136 years police or people with authority tend to abuse and commit crimes they swore they'd protect the people from; liken to the atrocities commited by the guwardiya sibil during Rizal's era.

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Education During the early years of Spanish colonization, education was mostly run by the Church. The status of education system before was too barbaric because of the Unequal educational opportunities, these include high dropout rates, low pupil performance. Low levels of higher education, poor teacher quality in a system where teachers are central to the education process, irrelevant learning materials, excessive centralization. For Rizal, the mission of education is to elevate the country to the highest seat of glory and to develop the people's mentality. Since education is the foundation of society and a prerequisite for social progress, Rizal claimed that only through education could the country be saved from domination.

Social-heirarchy

Religion The Philippines experienced Spanish colonization

Jose Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines, fought for the rights of the Filipino people and equality among all. He encouraged people to take action against the unfair treatment of those in power, inspiring them to take back what was rightfully theirs. Through his works, Rizal opened the door for Filipinos to exercise their rights and be respected without prejudice. He also highlighted the importance of education and the influence of women and religion. His life and works are still relevant today, inspiring Filipinos to never forget the pains of the past and to stand with those of different societal status without discrimination.

for over 300 years, resulting in a majority of Filipinos converting to Catholicism. After gaining independence, the Filipino people have been able to explore different religious beliefs and practices and create a unique syncretic religious practice combining traditional

elements Filipino

of

Catholicism

indigenous

beliefs.

and The

Philippine government has also implemented legislations to guarantee religious freedom and allow the Filipino people to shape their own religious identity.

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Perpertual Pearl A CULMINCATION OF WORKS, REALIZATIONS, INTERPRETATIONS, AND APPRECIATION OF THE GRAVITY OF RIZAL'S WORKS AND ITS IMPACT TO THE WHAT WE CURRENTLY CALL OUR HOM, PHILIPPINES.

PERLAS DE PERPETUA MSU - IIT 2022-2023 GEC 109 - B7 3