Life and Works of Rizal

LWR 0009-19

Documentary Film Review:

Finding Rizal in a Time of Barriers by Loren Legarda

Prof. Von Vinton P. Dela Serna

Stiffany M. Losa

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 The Way of Rizal

As the documentary followed Rizal's footsteps through Germany and Europe, I saw how
well-liked he was in other nations. He is genuinely one of the foremost influential figures in
Philippine history. That is also why the primary thing that involves my mind once I hear his
name may be a great national hero. I grew more aware of his selflessness, honourable deeds, and
principles because of his sacrifice. It's interesting to learn more about Rizal's travels, exile,
execution, social, political, and economic beliefs, and similarities to other Filipino nationalists.
His life was one of every of the foremost remarkable stories I've ever heard. Not just any average
person, but a particularly clever and brilliant who is willing to spend his entire life to present his
family and country freedom and peace. Historically, the documentary started after they
introduced the date of April 26, 1886, through the top of June of the identical year, when Rizal
stayed at the vicarage of Ullmer's great-grandfather, Pastor Karl Ullmer, within the little town of
Wilhemsfeld.

These are only some samples of Rizal's legacy, which the documentary "Finding Rizal
during a Time of Barriers" aims to convey. It seems that Germany was a special place for Rizal
for several reasons. Together with his medicine license from Spain, he attended seminars at
Heidelberg University to deepen his expertise within the hopes of assisting his ailing mother.
Still, he also completed the Noli Me Tangere there. Supported the documentary, the primary
thing I observed about Dr Jose Rizal's life was how basic it had been. He spent living simply
even before the Spaniards began to watch him. I think it had been his parents' efforts that caused
him to measure during this manner. I am sure that one's parents have the best influence on one's
lifestyle. I learned from Rizal's life the requirement of oldsters participating in their children's
values. I noticed his composure and capacity to think sensibly even within the most challenging
situations.

Rizal was consistently striving towards the best. As he grew older, this manifested itself
within combating social injustice. To free his fellow Filipinos from the bonds of political tyranny
and its corollaries of pain and ignorance became his overarching goal all told parts of his life,
eclipsing all other considerations, including family, friends, personal satisfaction, and life itself.
As a frontrunner of the Propaganda movement, Rizal rose to fame and uncompromising push for
political and social reforms that lobbied the peninsular government through their links with
liberal Spanish officials. He wrote nonstop for La Solidaridad, the Propaganda's mouthpiece,
expecting, as did his fellow Propagandists, that the powers-that-be would hear the Filipinos'
cries. He wrote two novels within the hopes of accomplishing his goals when all other methods
had failed, but they ultimately led to his death.

Moreover, Rizal was one of the first to recognize the Filipino people. He researched
Philippine history to show that Filipinos had their own culture before colonization and were not
inferior to white people. This same commitment led him to embrace the general term Indio, with
all its negative implications, and transform it into a symbol of dignity and nobility. Rizal was
willing to give up all for his countrymen, despite his guilt at seeing his loved ones suffer. He
placed a high value on time and, to make the best use of it, he made a constant effort to develop
himself, devoting a great deal of time and effort to his education, taking up sculpture and
painting in addition to the regular academics. Also, Rizal studied other languages, including
German, and even translated William Tell by Schiller into Tagalong. By reading and attending
scholarly conversations, he kept himself up to date on contemporary ideas in philosophy and
science.

Furthermore, when he left home to attend a boys' school in another town, he learned the
value of self-denial early on. He faced loneliness and physical deprivation while studying
medicine in Madrid, residing in cramped apartments in the city's slums or skipping meals to save
money for rent. He was used to cutting social events to concentrate on his schoolwork. He had to
sacrifice meals again when he was in Berlin preparing the Noli for publishing and Ghent
preparing El Filibusterismo for publication due to a cash shortage. He utilized the money he won
in a lottery to create light and water infrastructure for the people of Dapitan. He established a
school for the local boys, with himself as a teacher, and encouraged the residents to plant fruit
trees, sugar cane, and cacao and develop their own marketing company. As the nation
commemorates Rizal's sacrifice, it only fits to reflect on how he lived his brief life to be inspired
to move forward for ourselves and the country.

Critics, on the other hand, could not be more wrong. Filipinos from all walks of life,
particularly the youth, can still look up to Rizal as a role model in many areas. For Filipinos in
general, Rizal is a tremendous example of patriotism. He prioritized changes in the Philippines'
quest for independence over a wealthy medical profession and personal achievement. Rizal was
constantly at the top of his class and went on to become an outstanding physician. He went on to
study a wide range of languages. Rizal was an active fencer among the athletes and skilled at
marksmanship, judo, boxing, and even arnis, demonstrating that even people of tiny size can
compete in sports. Rizal was an artist, essential for those who feel bursting with creativity yet
misunderstood by others. In addition to being a writer, he was a painter and sculptor. It
demonstrates what a person can become when their creativity is channel properly. Those who
believe they are squandering their life should remember that Rizal accomplished so much in such
a short period. Rizal performed a great deal in his 35-year existence as a patriot and member of a
small town, a traveller, a story collector, and even a ladies' man.

We Filipinos would do well to remember Rizal's code of virtues in these challenging

times to help us give meaning to our survival efforts. Rizal embodied and realized the best of the
Filipino spirit. Despite the odds, his successes and struggles inspired the Katipuneros to begin the
Revolution and build Asia's first sovereign Republic. Rizal inspires this generation to continue
and possibly complete what he started: establishing a republic in which every Filipino is
genuinely free. We shall pay Rizal more tremendous respect by remembering not only how he
died but also how he lived. Such stories should perhaps inspire Filipinos today and set similar
standards for how one conducts oneself in a much bigger society, even one that has paused due
to a pandemic. Many 'Rizals' are battling for our people today, this time against an unknown foe.
Despite the dangers to their lives and limbs, we have our heroic front-liners who continue to
serve the country in their respective capacities. Rizal's bravery and patriotism should be
remembered, with his life as one that should be commemorated and emulated.

Meanwhile, we should hope that Filipinos would finally show love and respect for the
country and emulate Rizal and other modern-day heroes. May Dr Rizal's legacy live on in every
Filipino's heart, especially as we face the challenges posed by societal evils, natural catastrophes,
and the Covid-19 pandemic as pandemics are a time when heroes are called upon to act out of a
sense of duty and solidarity with those who are suffering. May we all be inspired by and continue
to embody the characteristics and concepts that distinguished his love for our country,
compassion for others, and intellectual prowess as we heal, recover, and rise as one nation.
References:

Legarda L. (2021) Finding Rizal in a Time of Barriers. Retrieved from: youtube.com/watch?

v=991frMkq9C4

Matilla D. (2021) Rizal docu in Germany highlights his legacy—and unfulfilled hopes. Retrieved
from:https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/385606/rizal-docu-in-germany-highlights-his-legacy-
and-unfulfilled-hopes/

Layug B. (2021) Tracing a hero: The Jose Rizal Heritage Trail. Retrieved from:
https://businessmirror.com.ph

Alatas S. (2021) On Eurocentrism and Laziness: The Thought of Jose Rizal. Retrieved from:
https://www.globalasia.org

Capino D. (2017) Jose Rizal and His Meaning for Germany. Retrieved from:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/43054787

Embassy of the Philippines Berlin (2017) Retracing Rizal’s Journey Through Germany.
Retrieved from: http://philippine-embassy.de/2017/07/06/retracing-rizals-journey-through-
germany/

Department of Foreign Affairs (2018) Small German Town Keeps Jose Rizal’s Memory Alive.
Retrieved from: https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/news-from-our-foreign-service-
postsupdate/17160-small-german-town-keeps-jose-rizal-s-memory-alive

Alvarez-Piñer C. (2008) José Rizal: Perceptions from the Metropolis. Retrieved from:
https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=3020