GED0102 Life and Works of Rizal

MODULE 3
RIZAL’S BIOGRAPHY

PROLOGUE: Reading Assignment on Rizal’s Biography

Three (3) important things I realized from the reading (elaborate)

1. One of the important things I realized from the reading is the importance of education.
Dr. Jose Rizal never stopped learning. Whenever he had free time, he spent it by studying
and reading. He even visited other countries just to study its people’s way of life and
adopt the ideas that would benefit the Filipinos. He keeps on developing his skills and
improving his knowledge so that he can provide something that can be of help to the
situation of his fellow countrymen. He used his intelligence to help and save his people
and the Philippines.

2. Another thing I realized is that if your dreams are goals are not for yourself but for the
welfare of your loved ones, the welfare of your fellow countrymen, and for the
betterment of your country, then all of the sacrifices will all be worth it. Even if the
process was difficult and challenging, you will not lose hope and you will do anything to
achieve your goals and dreams because you know that everything you worked hard for
and fought for will be worth it because there are many people who will benefit from your
sacrifices. We should always remember as a dreamer, nothing is impossible if our
intentions are pure.

3. And the last important thing I realized from the reading is that Dr. Jose Rizal lived his life
to the fullest. The way he lived his life is astonishing. His life inspired me in so many
ways. I admired his perseverance and even under difficult circumstances he didn’t give
up or feel discouraged. The lack of financial support from his family was not an obstacle
in pursuing his dreams. He also turned challenges or difficulties into opportunities, just
like what he did during his exile in Dapitan. The place was underdeveloped, and Rizal
did anything he could to help the townspeople improve their community. He used the
knowledge and skills that he learned for the betterment of the lives of the people living in
Dapitan.
EPILOGUE: Assessment on Rizal’s Biography

My Assessment of Rizal’s Biography

1. What are the important factors which shaped the life of Rizal? Explain.

Dr. Jose Rizal’s life was shaped by these important factors: First his parents. Rizal’s
sense of dignity, self-respect, and integrity was inherited from his father, Francisco
Mercado. While his literary talent, his love for learning, and his bravery were from
his mother, Teodora Alonso Realonda. Rizal was a genius, and he showed it at an
early age. His mother listens to him, and she recognized Rizal’s creativity as he
showed his skills in sketching, painting, and sculpture. She also encouraged Rizal to
express himself through writing. The second important factor was his experiences
during his childhood years, wherein every day he saw the authorities, like Guardia
Civil and their town’s alcalde, abuse their power and commit violence against the
townspeople. This setting shaped Dr. Jose Rizal’s social and political principles. The
third important factor was during his stay in Ateneo wherein he discovered the
importance of books that helped him gain more wisdom and knowledge. His writing
and sculpture skills were also developed through his formal lessons at the Ateneo.
Another important factor that shaped Rizal’s life is his friend Dr. Ferdinand
Blumentritt, whom he met in Germany. Dr. Blumentritt and Dr. Jose Rizal shared
their opinions on political, racial, and social issues. They both want to help in the
betterment of their county. The fifth important factor happened during his student
days when he suffered racial discrimination. He was looked down on because he was
an indio. These are the factors that help in shaping Dr. Jose Rizal’s life.

2. Agree/Disagree: Rizal is a pacifist. Why/Why not?

Upon reading Rizal’s Biography and learning about his life experiences, I agree that
Dr. Jose Rizal is a pacifist. During his childhood days, when he suffered racial
discrimination from his schoolmates he did not resort to violence, but rather he sought
equality through his intelligence and skills. He fought for the freedom of his
countrymen in a silent but powerful way. He wrote Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo to help his fellowmen open their eyes to the worsening misery of the
country. He even rejected the offer of the katipuneros to support him in fighting
against the Spanish regime through a rebellion. He believed that educating the people
will be the answer or the solution to achieving their freedom. He wanted a peaceful
reform and not violence.
3. Prove: Rizal is worthy of emulation.

Dr. Jose Rizal has so much passion for education that he didn’t stop learning many
different things and he used it in many aspects of life. His knowledge and skills
benefitted not only himself but also his fellow Filipino. His knowledge and skills had
a huge contribution to the betterment of the country. He wants the Filipino people not
to remain ignorant because he believed that the answer to the worsening situation of
his countrymen is education. The Filipino people must be empowered with quality
education. Another thing is that he is also an advocate for the environment, as we can
see in his exile in Dapitan, he devoted his time to farming, he planted coconuts, sugar
cane, corn, coffee, cacao, and different varieties of fruit trees. He is not allowed to
leave the place, but it doesn’t hinder him to serve his purpose: to help those in need,
so he built a clinic and a school, to help those people that need medical aid, and he
teaches his pupils vocational and academic training, like agriculture, fishing, and
stock raising, that will help to the development of their community. He also planned a
new street layout, and he provides a water system to the people of Dapitan. He didn’t
stop learning and he also didn’t stop helping. The traits that he showed during his
exile are something we should appreciate. Because of his intelligence, dedication, and
his love for the country, Dr. Jose Rizal is worthy of emulation. As a student, the traits
of Rizal are all worthy of emulation, especially his passion for learning and his sense
of patriotism. Because learning will shape and mold us to become a better version of
ourselves and to have a better future not just for ourselves but also for our family and
for the whole country.

4. Create an overview of the important life experiences of Rizal and the lessons he
acquired.

Dr. Jose Rizal lived a meaningful life. At an early age, he already knows the alphabet
and he also began painting, sketching, sculpting, and writing poems. During his
childhood, he saw the brutality of authorities toward the villagers, and that scenario
shaped his social and political ideas. At a young age, he was already exposed to
violence. During his school days at Ateneo, where he received a Bachelor of Arts
degree with the highest honor, and at the University of Sto. Tomas, where he took up
courses in philosophy and letters, and medicine, in both schools he suffered racial
discrimination which he uses as a stepping-stone to excel academically, he showed
and proved to his Spanish and mestizo schoolmates that despite being an indio, he
could equal and be ahead of them by using his intelligence. The discrimination he
experienced made him strive harder and more determined to help his fellow
countrymen from the miserable situation brought by the Spanish regime. He
continued his medical course in Madrid with the help of financial support from his
family and his brother Paciano, he also enrolled in philosophy and letters to acquire
more knowledge, wisdom, and culture, he also took up lessons in painting and
sculpture to enhance his artistic skills. After he received his licentiate in medicine and
 in philosophy and letters, he went to Paris to study ophthalmology to treat his
mother’s failing eyesight. His learning never stopped there, as he traveled to different
European countries, he always studies their language and mastered them, and he also
studied their way of life and did a lot of research that will help in the betterment of his
own home country, the Philippines. He began writing one of his masterpieces, Noli
Me Tangere. As he was short of funds, his friend, Maximo Viola offered to lend him
money and the novel was released in 1887.

5. Find a song or philosophy that would best fit the Life of Rizal. Explain.

The Impossible Dream