José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda or Jose Rizal was a physician and novelist, born in the Spanish colony, Filipinas as a “creole” (half Filipino, half Spanish). Rizal wrote extensively about the abuses of Spanish colonisers in the Philippines, fighting to reveal their atrocities and inspiring a whole generation towards freedom, therefore becoming the Philippines’ national hero.
He chose a unique yet nonviolent method of combating the Spanish colonisers.
Rizal demonstrated that a pen is sharper than a sword. The letters of a pen will always outlast the stroke of a sword.
Rizal’s works, particularly his two novels, spark Filipinos’ desire for independence.
Rizal may have died on December 30, 1896, at the tender age of 35, but much more of him than his remains in Rizal Park lies in the hearts of Filipinos. He inspired the independence movement because he provided a mirror to the sick colonial society that Filipinas had become as a result of Spanish colonisation.
Biography Jose Rizal, as stated by historian Ambeth Ocampo
According to historian Ambeth Ocampo, there are several things you may learn from and about Rizal.
1. Rizal did not write the famous poem “Sa Aking Mga Kabata.”
For years, historians and scholars have debated whether Rizal wrote the classic poem “Sa Aking Mga Kabata,” with its well-known line “Ang hindi marunong magmahal sariling wika, masahol pa sa hayop at malansang isda,”
Ocampo says it wasn’t.
“It’s not from Rizal,” Ocampo commented in Filipino on an edition of “The Howie Severino Podcast.” “When he started investigating it, He discovered that there wasn’t an original text. “It was published after Rizal died.”
2. Rizal wrote an unfinished novel
After “El Filibusterismo,” Rizal began another novel but left it unfinished.
Ocampo himself discovered Rizal’s unfinished work “Makamisa” in 1987 when he wanted to write an article comparing Rizal’s manuscript to the printed version to honour the 100th anniversary of “Noli Me Tangere.”
“When he searched, he was able to find a notebook that said, ‘Burador de Noli Me Tangere,’ meaning ‘Drafts of the Noli,'” Ocampo said in an interview. “And it wasn’t published because it wasn’t noticed because they said it was just a draft of Noli.”
According to Ocampo, “Makamisa” was a hilarious novel. He explained that Rizal may have viewed humour or satire as an effective weapon, so he began writing a hilarious novel.
3. Rizal wasn’t a prophet. Society just didn’t seem to change
Some may believe that Rizal’s works foretold the future, but Ocampo believes our national hero was not prophetic.
Rizal wrote “The Philippines Within a Century,” but Ocampo saw Rizal’s ideas as the result of his political and historical research.
“Our heroes were not prophets, Rizal or Apolinario Mabini. When we read them, we realise that they are still relevant. “Ay, it’s like they saw the problems we’re having right now,” Ocampo stated. “It is not like that. What we need to recognise is that they weren’t prophets, but rather humans; Filipinos haven’t changed in the last century,” he explained.
“Our behaviour remains the same. Things that they advised us to modify 100 years ago are still with us. So, rather than being viewed in this light, we should consider the possibility that history does not repeat. History cannot recur. “It is we, the people, who keep repeating history,” the historian said.
4. Rizal accepted students into his school in an innovative method
Unlike today’s admission exams, which assess intelligence through a series of printed questions, Rizal welcomed pupils to his school in an innovative manner.
“This is an oral interview. So what he’d do is bring the youngster and make the parent leave. “They’d go to the forest on one of his properties,” Ocampo explained. Rizal would inquire, ‘What do you know? 1+1-2.’ They’d discuss a wide range of topics. They’d sit in the centre of the forest. They would return after they had finished talking. “When they return to Rizal’s house, it will already be dark,” he explained.
“Rizal would ask, ‘Do you recall where we sat? I left my cap and book. Go get it. And then, if the child looks into the darkness, is scared of monsters, and does not return, the child fails. The youngster will not be accepted… thus normally the kid who returns with the goods Rizal left will run back and bring them.
When the child arrives at Rizal’s house, he stands with the other children and says, ‘It’s not enough to have a smart mind; you must also have bravery and a heart. “Welcome to the school.”
Ocampo contrasted it to today’s basic education, claiming it was so focused on the mind that it neglected the heart.
Reflection on Jose Rizal’s Life and Works
1. Against all odds
Rizal manifested the highest virtues of being a Filipino. He struggled and won in the face of the most arduous situations, inspired the Katipunaneros to revolt, and thereby helped found the first independent Republic of Asia. Rizal’s desire to serve the Filipino people never wavered, which encouraged him to continue producing, writing, and making the point that, although being under Spanish authority, we must never forget that the country they inhabit was originally ours.
His works were occasionally discouraged, particularly when he switched schools, but this did not deter him from pursuing his passion. Even while in prison and awaiting his ultimate judgement, he continued to write because he believed he was doing something good, something essential, and that it would eventually generate ripples of change in the country. It caused not only ripples but also tidal waves.
2. Invest in your education
Rizal’s parents made education a priority. They believed that sending their (many) children to school would sow seeds of knowledge that would benefit them in the long run when they became successful in their respective fields. Rizal took this a step further by deciding, quite abruptly and in secret, that he would accept the opportunity to study abroad and experience a new environment in a foreign nation.
It was a risk that paid off in the end, especially since he learnt a lot by comparing the situations of other countries to our own. Education is crucial, but it must be accessible to everyone. There is no better method to grow knowledge and achieve aspirations than through education.
3. Love your country (even if it doesn’t love you back)
Rizal had every reason not to return to the Philippines, having already left the nation to pursue higher education on previous occasions. However, he refused to abandon his previous life in favour of a much brighter one, owing to his love for his own country.
He adores his native tongue and writes in it, which is another characteristic he possesses: a sense of nationalism, or love for his race. He even gave back to society while in exile, demonstrating how Rizal, despite his circumstances, makes the best use of his resources and abilities to assist his fellow citizens.
Fighting injustice in society was Rizal’s sole motto. Night and day, all he dreamed of was to free fellow Filipinos. Rizal became a leader of the reformist movement called Propaganda, an unwavering campaign for political and social freedoms.
He wrote unceasingly for the La Solidaridad and even wrote two novels to reveal the atrocities of the Spanish colonials. These led to his assassination, but he died a hero.
4. Literature is not dead
Rizal enjoyed immersing himself in books from a young age, and his passion for literature honed his writing and storytelling skills. He subsequently went on to produce poems and pieces that were recognised by his teachers, who encouraged him to pursue his talent.
One takeaway here is that literature may be used to subvert beliefs, as evidenced by the way Rizal embeds them in his works through characters, conflict, and plot. Literature might also assist spread these values through reproduction and publication, which would be considerably superior to Rizal simply preaching them outright.
As a consequence of his perseverance, his works have reached even the farthest regions, helping readers understand and fully digest the information he wished to express and thus eventually the Filipinos against the oppressors. Through literature, Rizal and his ideologies have been immortalised in history.
While we do not live in such tumultuous times as Rizal’s, it is important to keep distractions away from every workday. Rizal was so focused on the work that he did not allow loved ones or even his preferences or emotions to come in the way.
This is one of Rizal’s most renowned legacies, and it appears to be true even today. The youth have a lot to learn and offer. But, most crucially, it is during childhood and formative years when children are sculpted into future leaders in our society. This is why we should not take these years for granted, as they pave the road to larger accomplishments.
For example, Rizal’s upbringing taught him to be polite and respectful, as these qualities are ingrained in the home even before children are old enough to attend school. According to its definition, formative years are critical in “forming” one’s character, hence they should not be underestimated.
5. Use your time to the fullest
Rizal spent much of his time in self-improvement via self-education. Not only was he busy academically, but he also learned sculpture, painting, and languages including German, and kept up with the latest conversations globally in philosophy and science. Even in exile in Dapitan (a remote town in Mindanao), he used his time cataloguing the local animal kingdom and plants to share with fellow revolutionists.
You too can take a leaf from his life and become a better version of yourself every day. Whether by taking an online or after-hours course at the local university, acquiring a new hobby, being part of a hobby circle, or even just reading instead of spending hours in front of your (not-so-) smart TV or phone!
6. There’s a virtue in giving
This is one of Rizal’s most renowned legacies, and it appears to be true even today. The youth have a lot to learn and offer. But, most crucially, it is during childhood and formative years when children are sculpted into future leaders in our society. This is why we should not take these years for granted, as they pave the road to larger accomplishments.
For example, Rizal’s upbringing taught him to be polite and respectful, as these qualities are ingrained in the home even before children are old enough to attend school. According to its definition, formative years are critical in “forming” one’s character, hence they should not be underestimated.
Rizal always led a frugal existence, including staying hungry at meals to pay rent and skipping outings to stay on track with his medical education. In Dapitan, even though he won the lottery, he relinquished all his winnings to build light and water infrastructure, and a school for fellow citizens, where he taught as well as offered free medical treatment.
FAQ on Life Lessons from Jose Rizal
Q:1 Who is Jose Rizal and why is he significant?
A: Jose Rizal is a national hero of the Philippines and a prominent figure in Philippine history. He played a crucial role in advocating for reform and independence during the Spanish colonial period.
Q:2 What are some important life lessons we can learn from Jose Rizal?
A: Some valuable life lessons we can learn from Jose Rizal include the importance of education, the power of peaceful resistance, the pursuit of excellence in all endeavours, the value of cultural and national identity, and the significance of selflessness and sacrifice for the greater good.
Q:3 How can Jose Rizal’s life lessons be applied to our own lives?
A: Jose Rizal’s life lessons can be applied by embracing the power of education to drive personal growth, standing up for what is right through peaceful means, striving for excellence in our chosen fields, valuing and preserving our cultural heritage, and making selfless contributions to our communities and society.
Q:4 What role did Jose Rizal play in Philippine history?
A: Jose Rizal played a pivotal role in Philippine history as a writer, nationalist, and reformist. He used his writings to expose the injustices and abuses of the Spanish colonial government and inspired a sense of nationalism among the Filipino people.
Q:5 How can studying the life of Jose Rizal benefit individuals today?
A: Studying the life of Jose Rizal can benefit individuals today by providing inspiration, guidance, and insights into personal development, resilience, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. His principles and ideals continue to resonate and guide individuals striving for personal growth and social progress.
You may also like:
