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It shows the childhood years of Rizal and his adolescence, compared to the "Bayaning Third World." The director introduced the scenes and events that
led Rizal to fight the oppressors. The scenes behind the Noli and Fili was presented. The whole theme, Rizal himself, is the
spirit of the entire film. It clearly manifests what a hero is- what Rizal have done to the Filipino
people.. (More on these later.)
The two films I've watched demonstrate atwo versions of who Rizal is. The first of the two insulted him and his identity
as well as his title as the National Hero. But through the "Rizal" film, I answered many questions that " Bayaning Third World"
left unanswered. The second film made a verification that Pepe is the only Filipino deserved to have such honors and recognitions.
Also, I learned that he as a human being had difficulties, shotcomings, failures, and bad things in life. Rizal, as a person,
could commit mistakes. ( More on these later.)
The two novels he made shows the entire country or the whole Filipino community during the Hispanic times. The Noli shows
the poor condition of the Filipinos and the government of friars, that they use the Catholic religion to practice wealth and
power. Discrimination, torture, violence, unequall rights, high taxes, corruption, instability of the colonial government,
etc. was noted by the author himself. The book was prohibited when the officials discovered it. It is because the novel attacks
the church and the government. For that, Rizal was excommunicated. Through that work, many Filipinos were enlightened and
inspired; for the first time, his work served as the best way to live the national sentiment. Many organizations and strikes
happened and conducted, such as the Katipunan which led by Andrés Bonifacio.
I remembered the lines in the film: " Mabuhay . . . Katipunan . . . Dr. José Rizal ( Long Live . . . Katipunan
. . . Dr. José Rizal ) "
Another novel, the " El Filibusterismo," once again, was shaken the Spaniards, this time, the book affected greatly towards
them. This portraits Simoun (Rizal) were now fighting for the Filipino (than in Noli). But his ( Simoun's ) strategies didn't
work. Soon after his tactics, he was shot and was commited suicide. Ibarra and Simoun both characterize Rizal " as he is.
"
Understanding the Fili is somewhat complicated. Was Rizal in favor of the Revolution? Was he was hopeless because of his
failures and because of María Clara ( Leonor Rivera)? As far as my research about him is concered,
Rizal indeed was in favor of revolution. Why? The cover picture of the El Fili ( Gomburza ) clearly tells us that he wanted to revenge for their
death. But as he mentioned, " The country is not yet prepared." And the only thing must take place before it is the love of
knowledge or awakening/enlightment- Education. Through this, we can easily understand first the Philippines and our identity.
We watche Rizal ( in the trial before the court ) , the actor mentioned education rather than revolution. Rizal, as a person,
felt hopeless and deppressed during his exile and imprisonment. Wait, why Rizal made Simoun to fall? He might be illustrated
the failure of an unprepared revoulution. And also, it is possible that he predicted that the Revolution would fall, as he
usually predicted many events of his life- his mother's released, his imprisonment, and even his death.
Another question is " Was Rizal became a devout Catholic before he died?" The answer to that is a big NO! Rizal was always
a Catholic, he did't need to give back to again to the Church. It was proven by the Rizal/Mercado family, his chilhood years
and his days in Ateneo. The main reason why he wrote Noli is to expose the cruelty, greediness, religion as a business and
power are the things he himself didn't want. The friars use their powers to the "ignorant" minds of the Filipinos. Besides,
he mentioned and recognized God in his Mi Último Adiós or Mi Último Pensamiento. Did Rizal sign the retraction paper? No,
of course, why? It is because if he have done that, he would be a traitor for the Filipinos. Rizal is not a traitor!
Through his works and writings touched the Filipino heart and made him a hero. No one except Rizal had a great impact against
the Spaniards and the Filipinos. No Filipino during that time like him was greatly exalted and respected and highly opponent
of the government. No Filipino ever lived except him "proved" that the Filipinos are not
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