The movie Jose Rizal which was played and casted by Cesar Montano as the lead role, in 1998,

opened our eyes and heart to the Spaniards Tyranny for so many years. It introduces us to the life of the
Filipino people under the rule of the Spanish friars wherein, it shows how the Filipino people are being
treated harsh and unequal from the Spaniard colonial rule in the Philippines.

In the movie, it pertains the life of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. It tells and describes in the movie
about his youthful life, his studies, his journey and his life when death is approaching to him wherein he
fight for the freedom of his countrymen and for his country.

The message of the movie simply tells us about the real meaning of “Patriotism” wherein every
Filipino’s have that in their mind. And also, one of the message that really struck my mind is “Are
Filipinos worth dying for?”-according to “Ninoy” Benigno Aquino Jr. for Dr. Jose Rizal came to the point
wherein he sacrificed his own life for the sake of the other Filipinos? This movie shows the condition of
the society and also to the Spanish government handle and ruled the country itself at the time of the
Spanish era. With the use of his two novels, which are the “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”, he
have been awaken to the reality, such as the abusive ways of the Spaniards towards the Filipino people.
Because of that, Jose Rizal was inspired to fight against the Spaniards with the use of writing. He realized
that writing was the best way to awaken the hearts of every Filipino and he believe that pencil is
mightier than the sword. And that’s were he showed his braveness and patriotism to be able to achieve
what he desires to have the freedom of his countrymen and the Philippines. At the end, even though he
sacrifice his life, the most important for him was to give his country the freedom and justice until the
end of his life. And that serves as “Filipino is worth dying for.” Because without him, I think we are still
under by the power of the Spanish Colonization.

As one of the audience, I was really inspired of the story of Jose Rizal and how Cesar Montano
portrayed his role very well. All I can say is “thank you” to our national hero because he was brave
enough to go through all the hardships just to liberate the Philippines. I’m very proud of Rizal for it made
a big impact to all the Filipinos and other countrymen way back, up to now. I am also grateful that we
can now feel the independence that the other people didn’t experience before. Just what I have said
before, If it wasn’t from him I think up until now we are enslave and tortured by the Spaniards.

This movie was made to help us, Filipinos, to understand what our national hero had done for our
country. It shows how Dr. Jose Rizal love his mother country, “the Philippines” for him to sacrifice his
own life. It shows the great explanation of the Philippine history, the nationalism and heroism in a non-
violent manner. It also let us see how Rizal sacrificed the things and the people he cherished just to see
his fellow countrymen and country free of all the enslavement of the Spanish people during that time.

Jose Rizal movie is a great movie wherein it is beneficial for us to learn about him and all of his works,
achievements and personal life where it is worth reflective in my life as a student in such a case that it
gives me a reason to work more, strive more and motivate more and mostly is to inspire more. Overall,
Dr. Jose Rizal was a great hero and an inspiration to us. There was no one like him and he is a legacy of
what a real Filipino is.