Reaction paper to the 2 films: Rizal Buhay ng Isang Bayani & Bayaning 3 rd

World

In the documentary we watched entitled Rizal: Buhay ng Isang Bayani by the

Bookmark and History Department of Ateneo de Manila University, I learned many
details upon further getting to know our only national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. He is
widely known locally and internationally as the man who awakened nationalism in
the Philippines. We also go to know more about his early childhood up until his exile
in Dapitan and later on his execution in Bagumbayan. The problems and trials Rizal
faced are not all that different from a normal persons difficulties despite his status as
an intelligent and talented individual.
Although the doubled audio in English and Filipino was a bit of a distraction, my
ears were still keen on listening. In many ways we can see that Rizals life was
extraordinary compared to our own lives because if you really look into it, he
sacrificed his entire being and lifes work in order to free our country from the
ruthless Spanish settlement that conquered our beloved country. It was not at all easy
to be living as a Filipino back then, Rizal did take it a little better than the others
around him considering his parents were quite well-off, his mother was educated, a
rare accomplishment during that period. He took that privilege as an opportunity to
further his studies abroad, wrote novels and stirred the minds of his fellow Filipinos
to wake up and become aware of their oppression. Rizal also propagated his ideas on
how to elevate the status of those being burdened. His wealth was not put to waste, he
traveled to different corners of the world, met people who came from different walks
of life and most of all, loved and valued his education unlike the other rich Filipinos
who chose to be live loftily and ignore the suffering and abuse their fellow
countrymen had to endure. Its saddening to think about the countless sacrifices our
hero has made and how much of his life he had given up all for the love of country.
There were many lost chances in Rizals life wherein he could have been
tremendously happy but he never lost sight of his obligation to the country. His
determination to succeed eventually sparked the nationalistic intentions of the
following generations. After watching the documentary I can confidently say that
Rizal was incredibly brave and strong, he never let the complications he encountered
hinder him from reaching for his goals, he had an unwavering belief that good will
always prevail over the immoral.
It was eye opening to watch the film on how much Rizal lived a fruitful life even
if it was only for about 35 years. I hope that as a part of the youth I did not let him
down. I am only longing to live as selflessly as Rizal once did. I also feel as if I am in
a better position than most other Filipino youth because I am able to attend a
prestigious university, I believe it is my responsibility as well to take what I have
learned and use it to progress the country in terms of structural advancement as a
future engineer.