José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Realonda

It is important to study Rizal’s life and his writings including other heroes because

the contribution they give to the country is priceless. We the youth know only the little

background of their lives and works.

José Rizal was born in 1861 to Francisco Rizal Mercado y Alejandro and Teodora

Alonso Realonda y Quintos in the town of Calamba in Laguna province. He had nine sisters

and one brother. His parents were leaseholders of a hacienda and an accompanying rice

farm by the Dominicans. Both their families had adopted the additional surnames of Rizal

and Realonda in 1849, after Governor General Narciso Clavería y Zaldúa decreed the

adoption of Spanish surnames among the Filipinos for census purposes (though they already

had Spanish names). Pen name; Dimasalang, Laong laan.

In our first class we study about RA 1425 Rizal Law. The Rizal law was made so that

the Filipinos, especially the youth, will not forget him. The teaching of Jose Rizals life,

"Works, and "Writings is mandated by Republic Act 1425 otherwise known as the Rizal Law.

Senator Jose P. Laurel, the person who sponsored the said law, said that since Rizal "as the

founder of Philippine nationalism and has contributed much to the current standing of this

nation. It is only right that the youth as well as all the people in the country know about and

learn to imbibe the great ideals for which he died. Jose Rizal died December 30, 1896.

When upon his return to the Philippines in July, 1892, Rizal organized the La Liga

Filipina, this constituted a forward step in the reformist ideas of the times in the sense that

the new group sought to involve the people directly in the reform movement. Many

elements of society who were anxious for change were attracted to the Liga, among them,

Andres Bonifacio who became one of the founders of the organization.

 The motto of La Liga Filipina is “Unus instar omnium” or “one like the others”. Its

officials were composed of Ambrosio Salvador (president), Agustin dela Rosa (fiscal),

Bonifacio Arellano (treasurer), and Deodato Arellano (secretary). La Liga Filipina is a civic

movement and also aims to create a Supreme Council for the whole country. A Provincial

Council intended for each of the provinces and a Popular Council for each municipalities. All

of the Filipinos who adhere and love their country can become a member of the movement.

In dapitan these place did Rizal have an eye opener toward cultural minorities during

stay. Rizal lived in exile in far-away Dapitan, a remote town in Mindanao which was under

the missionary jurisdiction of the Jesuits, from 1892 to 1896.

Rizal started writing El Filibusterismo in October 1887 in Calamba during his first

homecoming. The novel was thus written against the background of threats and oppressions

he and his family suffered because of the Noli and the so-called Calamba agrarian trouble.

In 1570 the encomienda was introduced in the Philippines when Miguel Lopez de

Legaspi, in compliance with the decree issued by King Philip II in 1558, distributed lands in

Cebu to loyal Spanish subjects.

There were three kinds of encomiendas; First is the Royal Encomiendas, belonging to

the King Second is the Ecclesiastical Encomiendas, belonging to the Church and Third is

Private Encomiendas, belonging to private individuals At first the natives paid eight reales

as tribute. This amount was increased to ten reales in 1589 by order of King Philip II. The

king also received reales from each tribute each encomiendero received from his

encomienda. The total amount of the tributes intended for the king was kept as fund to pay

the expenses for the country’s defence. These men had helped conquer the Philippines. The

encomienda was not actually a land grant but was a favor from the King. The Spaniards who

receives this favor was given the right to collect tributes or taxes from the inhabitants of the

area assigned to him.

 The propaganda" in English has acquired a pejorative connotation that is absent from

the original Latin word. One can see its true meaning in the Roman institution called

"Congregatio de propaganda fide" the Secretariate for the Spread of the Faith (or, as the

modern translation has it, For the Evangelization of Peoples). It was in the latter sense that

the word was used by the Filipino group that sent Marcelo H. Del Pilar to Spain to continue

the "propaganda" on behalf of the Philippines. Prominent members included José Rizal,

author of Noli Me Tangere (novel) and El Filibusterismo, Graciano López Jaena, publisher of

La Solidaridad, the movement's principal organ, Mariano Ponce, the organization's secretary

and Marcelo H. del Pilar.

The La Solidaridad In order to help achieve its goals, the Propaganda Movement put

up its own newspaper, called La Solidaridad. The Soli, as the reformists fondly called their

official organ, came out once every two weeks. The first issue saw print was published on

November 15, 1895. The Solidaridad’s first editor was Graciano Lopez Jaena. Marcelo H. Del

Pilar took over in October 1889. Del Pilar managed the Soli until it stopped publication due

to lack of funds.

Andres Bonifacio was the Supreme of the Katipunan (association), or as it was also

known: Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Highest and

Most Venerated Association of the Sons and Daughters of the Land). The organization drew

inspiration from Dr. Jose Rizal, whose literary works, particularly Noli Me Tangere and El

Filibusterismo, exposed the cruelties of the Spanish colonisers. Before Katipunan was

established, both Bonifacio and Rizal were part of ‘La Liga Filipina’ – a progressive

organization initiated by Rizal that sought peaceful reforms. After Rizal’s arrest and

deportation to Dapitan, La Liga Filipina dissolved. This was later replaced by a call for

aggressive reforms, put forward and favored by Bonifacio. Upon hearing of Rizal’s arrest,

Bonifacio and his fellows founded the Katipunan. The anti-colonial secret organization
eventually attracted people from lower and middle classes across the country, enjoining

them in an armed revolt against Spain.

Rizal, the country’s national hero, refused to participate. He believed timing wasn’t

on their side and the nation was still unprepared. In spite of his friend’s reservations,

Bonifacio and his fellow Katipuneros continued with their plan. Yet on August 1896, a

Spanish friar found them out.

And lastly, we had a role play, my character is one” Guwardyang sibil” it is all about

Preserving the Filipino culture. Filipinos are very courteous and respectful. Even in modern

times, many Filipinos show and value their noble norms and traditions. So we Filipinos must

continue to exercise these good traditions like respecting our elders and others, by using

“po at opo”, being hospitable, and being religious.

Philippines are rich in various colourful cultural elements. They are our identity. Be

proud and preserve the culture we have for they are our treasure. We have to keep them

for the future generation. Respect everyone and value our traditions