MY REACTION PAPER

Jose Rizal movie casted by Cesar Montano on 1998 opened our eyes and our heart to the
Spaniards Tyranny for 3 centuries. It introduces us to the life of subjugation of the Filipino
people under the rule of the Spanish friars. From the execution of three Filipino priests in 1872
for alleged subversion to the harsh and unequal treatment of Filipino students in the schools, this
film is a stinging indictment of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines. We see scenes both from
Rizal's actual life but also from his imagination.

It covers his life from his childhood to his execution at the hands of the Spanish forces
occupying the Philippines in the late 19th century. We are also thrown into the world of Rizal's
novels. So we get a glimpse of how he viewed Filipino society under the Spanish heal. There are
graphic depictions of violence and even torture. The opening few scenes depict some episodes
from Rizal's novels. In one a Catholic priest raped a Filipina that’s why we had mixed blood. In
the other scene a Catholic priest beats a child for alleged stealing. Strong stuff and it made me
wonder how the Catholic Church could possibly retain any power in the country, if this is what
the national hero thought about it.

The Powerful Spaniards ruled our small country, came here and claim as if it’s their own.
They are ruthless, cruel and all the devilish words suits to them. They came here in the
Philippines, ruled our lands and used us as their slave. Our ancestors have been struggling that
problem for almost 3 centuries and I felt bad for myself. We were so pitiful, asking for freedom
and thirsty for liberty, hungry for our own country. Was that they called a colonization?

This world is cruel. Money, power can control people. I’m confused at the same time;
there are tons of questions in my mind that is looking for answers. What if Rizal didn’t stand in
behalf of Filipinos? Are we still in the hands of those evil tyrannies? What if, what if? Those
questions still bugging me. What if Rizal didn’t die? Would it still be the same?

Even though that I’m confusing myself, there’s one thing important right now, the
freedom that we had. The freedom to talk, to write and fly that no can dictate you except
yourself. I truly admired Jose Rizal for his bravery not for strength but for the confidence he had
to write all those devilish acts of Spaniards and spread it to the world. I never admired any of the
Heroes aside from Heneral Luna, but truly he is amazing. How could he handle all those
struggles in his life?

Despite all of that, we continued to live our life, thanks to our ancestors fighting for our
freedom. Bloods stained, people wailing, I can feel their sympathy. As a youth, I am challenge
that I could do better. Our Heroes died for us not for nothing but for something. Youth is our
future.