Power of the Pen: The Sacrifice of Jose Rizal

Jheriko Cosico

HWLC

Thompson

May 5, 2019
 At the time when the Spanish began colonizing the Philippines, Filipinos were

mistreated. Abuse and forced labor were rampant, as well as the limitation of education.

Filipinos were also heavily taxed. Jose Rizal, among a handful of others, stood up for the

Philippines and influenced its independence through his works, which resulted in him being

targeted by the Spanish government. Rizal’s novels were banned, and he was sent to exile. This

didn’t stop him; he continued to provide in some way until his false trial and execution. Rizal’s

influence and execution was a catalyst for Filipinos to fight for their need of justice, freedom,

and independence.

Rizal’s first pivotal moment in overcoming oppression was when he wrote his two

novels. These two novels, ​Noli me Tangere ​and ​El Filibusterismo.​ These two novels “reflected

the sufferings of his countrymen under Spanish feudal despotism and their rebellion” (Gale 1).

The two books were recognized globally, and is a “scathing indictment of the Catholic Church

and Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines,” and “its publication cemented Jose Rizal’s position

on the government’s list of troublemakers” and was declared “an enemy of the state”

(Szczepanski 2). This initial face of oppression was one of the main factors that led the Spanish

government to shine a spotlight on him which will lead to to his second pivotal moment in life.

Rizal’s second pivotal moment in overcoming oppression was when he was exiled due to

his novels. Rizal was exiled to Dapitan due to his remarks about the government through his two

novels and other works, but “this however did not stop him from continuing his plans for reform;

Rizal built a school, hospital and water system” (Valdeavilla 3), as well as “engaging in

agriculture, fishing, and business; he taught his pupils English and Spanish; the arts”

(Montemayor 2). His actions show what he did in exile to continue his battle against the
government, which moreover resulted in him becoming an ever bigger “enemy of the state”

(Szczepanski 3). It also shows his efforts, despite the oppression, and to a certain extent

sacrificing himself for his country.

Another pivotal moment for Rizal in overcoming oppression was when he formed the La

Liga Filipina organization. Rizal formed La Liga Filipina, a civil rights organization for

independence in which he formed “upon his return to the Philippines, which then led ultimately

led to his exile in Dapitan” (Valdeavilla 5). This organization’s aim was to “‘unite the entire

archipelago into a compact, vigorous and homogenous body’ through cultural, commercial and

industrial activities” (Bonoan 3). This shows Rizal’s fight against oppression whilst receiving it.

This relates back to his second pivotal moment of being in exile. “This however did not stop

him from continuing his plans for reform. Rizal built a school, hospital, and water system”

(Valdeavilla 5). This is also another example of Rizal resisting oppression and restraint while

exiled.

Lastly, Rizal’s final pivotal moment is his false trial and eventual execution. Rizal was

falsely tried when “authorities were not only finding faults but even fabricating charges to pin

him down” (Szczepanski 4) for association with a revolutionary group, the Katipunan. This

shows his massive influence among people and the government, considering him “an enemy of

the state” (Szczepanski 2). Rizal was then executed by gunfire soon after he wrote his final text

Mi Ultimo Adios​. “Spurred on by Rizal’s martyrdom, the Philippine revolution continued until

1898” (Szczepanski 4). Rizal’s execution and martyrdom shows his influence among the people

and the world through his works and his effort to remove the oppression of his people even if it

meant sacrificing himself in the process. Ultimately, removed the oppression in the Philippines
on June 12, 1898, and it also shows his influence and effect on the independence of spain

through peaceful reform in the form of novels.

Jose Rizal’s reform against Spanish oppression through books and his martyrdom

resulted in his major influence to start the Philippine revolution for independence. He exposed

Spanish injustices through novels, which led to his exile. This did not stop him; he continue to

fight oppression through the means of education until he was finally falsely tried and executed.

This ultimately led to fueling the revolution of the Philippines until its independence in 1898.

Ultimately, he used his intellect and selflessness to sacrifice himself and influence Filipinos to

uplift themselves as a whole country. Today, this can translate to fighting for what you consider

as right peacefully, like today’s LGBT community, and helping others in need, like major

humanitarian organizations today.

Bonoan, Raul J. “Jose Rizal, liberator of the Philippines.” America, Dec 7, 1996, p. 18+. Student

Edition.

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A18957906/GPS?u=dist214&sid=GPS&xid=e37045c

b​. Accessed March 4, 2019.

“Jose Rizal.” Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998. Biography in Context.

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1631005590/BIC&xid=chd010ac3​. Accessed

March 5, 2019.

Szczepanski, Kallie. “Biography of Jose Rizal, National Hero of the Philippines.” ThoughtCo.

https://www.thoughco.com/jose-rizal-hero-of-the-philippines-195677​. Accessed March 6,

2019.

Valdeavilla, Ronica. “The Life and Legacy of Jose Rizal, National Hero of the Philippines.

Culture Trip.

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/the-life-and-legacy-of-jose-rizal-the-ph

ilippines-national-hero.​ Accessed March 4, 2019.