Kareejil M.

Cruz BS Psych II

Summary :
Jos Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, commonly known as Dr. Jose P. Rizal was a Physician, Ophthalmologists, sculptor, painter, educator, farmer, historian, playwright and journalist. He is a genius and belongs to a wealthy family. During his time, he studied in different famous universities inside and outside the country. During the Spanish Regime, he witnessed all the cruel and unjust treatment of the Spaniards to the Filipinos. He saw the heartless leadership of the government particularly the friars during that time. Rizal started fighting against Spain when he was 35 years old. His brother, Paciano enlightened Rizals mind when he witnessed the killing of GOMBURZA. Because of that, Paciano encouraged Rizal to study and use his intelligence to awaken peoples mind that they should not be a slave to their own country. After he graduated in High school, his brother, Paciano forced him to go abroad. He was against his brothers decision but he has no choice. And so, he left his lover, Leonor which is also his cousin, and he went to Europe to study medicine. And there, he published his two famous novels, the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibuterismo. While he was there, Andres Bonifacio and his comrades made propaganda here in the Philippines which they called the KKK. The main goal of this propaganda is to fight and protect the Filipinos rights against spaniards by using sword and shedding of blood. But Rizal is not in favor with this proposal. Also, while He was in Europe, he and his companions, Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Mariano Ponce, established a news paper called La Soladaridad. This news paper has not became successful because he argued with Marcelo H. Del Pilar for a reason that, La Solidaridad was a private news paper, and Rizal was not in favor with this because he wants to proclaim the cruelty of the Spaniards. Rizal fought for the Filipinos through his writings. After his quarrel with Del Pilar, he decided to go back here in the Philippines to face the Spaniards. When he was here, the Spaniards immediately detained him in Dapitan for 4 years. (July 1892 December 1896). While he was in exile, he never stopped his writings. In fact, he made his last farewell novel there. He has a lawyer named Taviel, which became his friend until the day he was executed by a firing squad in Bagumbayan on December 30, 1896.

Reflection:
Education is not enough to make see roses. This is one of the statements of Rizal during his exile in Dapitan. In this statement, Rizal wants us to understand that being educated is not the ultimate answer to ensure a good future. Instead, having a good future depends on how we were educated and how we will use the knowledge we gained. In our present generation, many people believe that when they finished their degrees, they will get rich. But finishing our degrees is not enough. We should also learn how to use the knowledge we gain and exert effort. We ourselves are the one responsible in seeing roses. Not all people are equal. This quotation was also given by Rizal. This quotation can be applied in our world. The greater power you have, the highest respect you gain. Rizal also taught us to face this reality. While we are in this world, there is no such thing called equality. As long as the money and power is involved, people will never treat each other equally.