Historians agree that José Rizal was the greatest Filipino that Spain hated most.

The film is very awesome, and appreciates or depicts the heroism of Rizal. His works ( Noli and Fili) was
emphasized. It also presents the character which Rizal immortalized- Simoun and Señor Ibarra. The
scene introduces a concept of nationalism towards us, as Filipinos. I appreciated the film because the
characters act nicely and wholeheartedly with their roles. Moreover the Spanish language and the place
of setting was very good. It was an excellent work.

It shows the childhood years of Rizal and his adolescence, compared to the "Bayaning Third World." The
director introduced the scenes and events that led Rizal to fight the oppressors. The scenes behind the
Noli and Fili was presented. The whole theme, Rizal himself, is the spirit of the entire film. It clearly
manifests what a hero is- what Rizal have done to the Filipino people.. (More on these later.)

The two films I've watched demonstrate atwo versions of who Rizal is. The first of the two insulted him
and his identity as well as his title as the National Hero. But through the "Rizal" film, I answered many
questions that " Bayaning Third World" left unanswered. The second film made a verification that Pepe is
the only Filipino deserved to have such honors and recognitions. Also, I learned that he as a human
being had difficulties, shotcomings, failures, and bad things in life. Rizal, as a person, could commit
mistakes. ( More on these later.)

The two novels he made shows the entire country or the whole Filipino community during the Hispanic
times. The Noli shows the poor condition of the Filipinos and the government of friars, that they use the
Catholic religion to practice wealth and power. Discrimination, torture, violence, unequall rights, high
taxes, corruption, instability of the colonial government, etc. was noted by the author himself. The book
was prohibited when the officials discovered it. It is because the novel attacks the church and the
government. For that, Rizal was excommunicated. Through that work, many Filipinos were enlightened
and inspired; for the first time, his work served as the best way to live the national sentiment. Many
organizations and strikes happened and conducted, such as the Katipunan which led by Andrés
Bonifacio. I remembered the lines in the film: " Mabuhay . . . Katipunan . . . Dr. José Rizal ( Long Live . . .
Katipunan . . . Dr. José Rizal ) "
Another novel, the " El Filibusterismo," once again, was shaken the Spaniards, this time, the book
affected greatly towards them. This portraits Simoun (Rizal) were now fighting for the Filipino (than in
Noli). But his ( Simoun's ) strategies didn't work. Soon after his tactics, he was shot and was commited
suicide. Ibarra and Simoun both characterize Rizal " as he is. "

Understanding the Fili is somewhat complicated. Was Rizal in favor of the Revolution? Was he was
hopeless because of his failures and because of María Clara ( Leonor Rivera)? As far as my research
about him is concered, Rizal indeed was in favor of revolution. Why? The cover picture of the El Fili
( Gomburza ) clearly tells us that he wanted to revenge for their death. But as he mentioned, " The
country is not yet prepared." And the only thing must take place before it is the love of knowledge or
awakening/enlightment- Education. Through this, we can easily understand first the Philippines and our
identity. We watche Rizal ( in the trial before the court ) , the actor mentioned education rather than
revolution. Rizal, as a person, felt hopeless and deppressed during his exile and imprisonment. Wait, why
Rizal made Simoun to fall? He might be illustrated the failure of an unprepared revoulution. And also, it
is possible that he predicted that the Revolution would fall, as he usually predicted many events of his
life- his mother's released, his imprisonment, and even his death.

Another question is " Was Rizal became a devout Catholic before he died?" The answer to that is a big
NO! Rizal was always a Catholic, he did't need to give back to again to the Church. It was proven by the
Rizal/Mercado family, his chilhood years and his days in Ateneo. The main reason why he wrote Noli is to
expose the cruelty, greediness, religion as a business and power are the things he himself didn't want.
The friars use their powers to the "ignorant" minds of the Filipinos. Besides, he mentioned and
recognized God in his Mi Último Adiós or Mi Último Pensamiento. Did Rizal sign the retraction paper?
No, of course, why? It is because if he have done that, he would be a traitor for the Filipinos. Rizal is not
a traitor!

Through his works and writings touched the Filipino heart and made him a hero. No one except Rizal had
a great impact against the Spaniards and the Filipinos. No Filipino during that time like him was greatly
exalted and respected and highly opponent of the government. No Filipino ever lived except him
"proved" that the Filipinos are not