On the law and on life A synthesis paper on the life of Jose Rizal Before PI 10 I thought that it was a bother

that the government passed a bill to study the life and works of Rizal. At one point I thought that maybe they were running out of bills to propose. Well, we all know Jose Rizal. Even my little sister knows him. He is the man with a really clean and waxed hair trademark, the head of the man seen in the Philippine peso and monuments of him seen in places like schools but mostly parks, isnt that enough? In grade school I remembered my teacher saying that he is one of our national heroes. In high school we read his works: Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. What an accomplished guy. He is everywhere, all popular and looked upon by Filipinos. Its just a pity he died at a young age. Studying PI 10 In 4 weeks, we are required to read and learn the life and works of Jose Rizal. It should be easy, only if the person is just an ordinary lad living in a common scenario but what would make him special and worth studying right? So I braced myself for I know his life wouldnt that be as interesting and as beguiling as other celebrities would be. So the biography of Rizal by Zaide sat there ready to be flipped open and ponder upon. Rizal studied so much, learned so much, and wrote so much (thats why there are so many readings). I admire him for his constant pursuit of knowledge. He was a genius. He did not waste any time. He learned other languages, wrote poems, essays and novels in his spare time and improves his knowledge with other lands culture in the process improving his knowledge with the past of the Philippines and its people. I cant help think that his story might have been exaggerated by some biographers out there. What is he a God? Having so much time and having

done so many things and being good at so many stuffs. Moving on, Rizal is fortunate to be born in a family that can afford (considering his time). He has a good family background, he loved his family so much, he was raised to be God-fearing and with good morals and values. He values education highly and sees it as an important aspect of human development as stated in many of his works. It is undeniable that he is charismatic and charming; charming many ladies into falling in love with him. Apparently it is not only the ladies but the majority of the Filipino people thinking that Rizal sacrificed his own freedom and happiness to push through the sentiment of the Filipinos. Passing many opportunities on love and other interests like sailing the world and study more of the cultures of different countries all for the love of God and country. Dying is inevitable part of life, we all know that. After your death people will resume their day to day activity. The dilemma is how to live after death. What can you do so that even when you are gone and dead, people still remember you, adore you and influenced by you? I think having the power to influence people is really great. When you influence people it means you stir up something inside them, you get inside their head and urge them to do something about a certain situation. Rizal dying for a great cause and being immortalized for it, I envy him, in a way. And, he is so popular in the Philippines (even in other countries); having all colleges and universities study not only his life but also his works. Towards the end of PI 10 But of course, as a student, we simply dont study, adore and admire. We analyze critically and in the way criticizing and eventually understanding his actions at that time. Rizal was an elite and it was a bit of a struggle for him to fully understand and be one with the interests of the Filipino people but he did surpassed that. He first wanted a peaceful approach, for reforms
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but gradually and eventually spoke of a revolution. His love for the country and convictions are so strong that he reached out to many people. Even though they are debating whether he is a national hero or what, he is a hero nonetheless. He died for the country and fought for what is rightfully ours. Knowing the possible risks: to his own and his family, he still pressed on. Thinking of what I couldve or wouldve done in his place, I doubt I would even be able to muster enough courage to stand up to those inhumane Spaniards. Living in the current time, I feel ashamed of having to think of Rizal as overrated or having to think of nationalism as pretentious and all. I do love the country and I know progress isnt an over-night work but with the kind of thinking the people have (including myself) and the kind of choice and governance the country have, I think the road to true liberty would be a bumpy and a long one. As a citizen of the Philippines fortunate enough to go to school and be educated, I shall do my best to love the country more, to strive hard not only to my benefit but also of the country and not mock undertakings of others. That brains should be used and not just the gut to do something without even knowing what its for and thinking of its possible consequences and to not conform with most Filipinos crab mentality. Being less indolent, starting from the home and to the school. Not settling for less, not just aiming for low but striving for the best.