Insight/Reflection

It was an incredible learning experience. Despite the long commute, I looked forward to going to work everyday. I had the chance to handle a multitude of tasks and responsibilities. The staff was great to work with, clients were very nice and willing to discuss their mental illnesses, and the supervisor was very helpful. I gained a lot: I learned medical terminology and abbreviations, gained confidence in speaking with patients and doctors/nurses, learned how to handle new situations. The atmosphere and environment here was far above my expectations. Aside from learning new skills and applying myself, this internship has been a great opportunity for me to meet other people. I gained a realistic view of working in a mental hospital. I also gained a better understanding of the psychological disorders that I have only heard about in classes Now I have experience with people with autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder everyday that I work with. I have to say that these people in the mental hospital are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. I also gained a sense of confidence through helping these people. In addition to both of these important things, I found it very helpful to my major in psychology to have this first-hand experience, to actually apply some things I have learned in class in an appropriate setting. Ramon Angelo M. Asistio

My internship experience at Estrellas allows me the opportunity to take risks, make mistakes, and learn through trial and error. Each day I see and learn something new. Being on an internsip is like watching theory "come to life." It all starts to make sense...I become more confident with each passing day. It was very valuable and enabled me to see whether or not it was something I might enjoy doing as a career. This experience has changed my life and it is really great to see all the theory we learn about actually being implemented. It is a whole new ball game when you're actually in the hospital doing things you've only read about in books. Even my practicum could not compare. This is an amazing hospital. I learn something new every day, and it is great to see how different every specialist here is. This internship has taught me how to adapt to a constantly changing environment and how to approach each patient in a respectful and understanding way. In the beginning I was nervous and shy around the patients, but as I got to know the patients more, I opened up and became more personable. I was able to engage my patients and establish a rapport of trust with. This internship also has given me the chance to develop a strong work ethic and the chance to be able to prove to myself and to those around me. After what we have done during the whole practicum, I feel more blessed compare to them yet I still pity their condition, because they feel that they are already outcasts in the society. Normal people would try to isolate them because of their different condition, not realizing that it could be the reason why these mentally-illed individuals suffer from worst conditions. It feels so good that we still have these kinds of institution who aims to help these people to cure their illness. Because of this experience, it made me want to help them more in any way I can. Irish Pauline L. Ereno

Rizal's Exile in Dapitan (1892-96) During these times, Rizal practiced medicine, pursued scientific studies, continued his artistic and literary works, widened his knowledge of languages, promoted community development projects, and engaged in farming and commerce. Rizal lived in the house of the commandant, Captain Carnicero, where they had a good warden-prisoner relationship. Sept. 21, 1892 - Rizal, Carnicero & Equilor won P20,000 in the lottery. Fr. Pablo Pastells - the Jesuit superior during the time Rizal was exiled in Dapitan. Pastells was Rizals spiritual director. Rizal had a long and scholarly debate with Father Pastells on religion which revealed Rizal's anti-Catholic idea. 30 Mar 1893 - Juan Lardet - wrote a letter to Rizal, apologizing for his inuslting comments about Rizal. Juan Lardet - a French businessman who had a quarrel with Rizal because he purchased some poor-quality lumber from Rizal. >Father Sanchez - Rizal's favorite Jesuit who tried to persuade Rizal to discard his unorthodox views on the Catholic religion. >Ferdinand Blumentritt - Rizal's close friend who translated the latter's first book, Noli me Tangere, into German and wrote the preface to Rizal's second book, El filibusterismo. Rizal wrote to him in December 19, 1893 telling him about Rizal's idyllic life in Dapitan. >Florencio Namanan - aka "Pablo Mercado". The one who was hired by the Recollect friars so spy on Rizal. >Rizal was also an eye specialist. He cured many rich patients such as Don Ignacio Tumarong &Don Florencio Azacarraga. Rizal became interested in local medicine and the use of medicinal plants. He studied their curative values for the poor patients who could not afford to buy imported medicine, he prescribed the local medicinal plants.

>Building Dapitan: - Rizal built a water system without any help from the government. - He got rid of the malaria infested Dapitan. - He remodelled the town plaza and arranged a lighting system all around the town. > 1893 - Rizal established a school, gave the children free education. Last Trip Abroad -Rizal travelled from Dapitan to Manila -He missed the regular steamer to Spain "Isla de Luzon" -Stayed on board Spanish cruiser "Castilla" -August 26, 1896, Andres Bonifacio and Katipunan start revolution in Balintawak -Rizal leaves for Spain aboard "Isla de Panay" -Upon leaving for Spain, Rizal receives 2 letters of introduction for the Minister of War and the Minister of Colonies -Upon arriving in Singapore, Rizal was urged by fellow Filipinos to stay. He refused as he had given his word to Gov. Gen. Blanco -Upon arriving in Barcelona, Rizal was arrested and taken to the fortress Monjuich -General Despujol sends Rizal back to Manila to be tried by court Last Homecoming and Trial -Rizal is kept under heavy guard while in transit from Barcelona to Manila -October 8, a friendly soldier tells Rizal that newspapers are full of stories about him being blamed for the revolution -October 11, Rizal's diary is confiscated by Spanish authorities -Upon arriving in Singapore, friends attempt to rescue Rizal by means of inciting Habeus Corpus -Unfortunately, the request is denied as the ship bearing Rizal to Manila is classified as a warship and as such is out of Singaporean jurisdiction -November 3, the "Colon" arrives in Manila -Rizal transferred to Fort Santiago -Rizal subjected to 5-day investigation by Judge Advocate, Colonel Franciso Olive

-Rizal chooses Don Luis Taviel de Andrade to defend him in court Among the expectator were Josephine Bracken, a sister of Rizal, some newspapermen, and many Spaniards Rizal was accused of 3 crimes: Rebellion, sedition, illegal association -Rizal pleads "not guilty" to inciting rebellion -8:00 am, December 26, 1896, Rizal's mock trial begins -Rizal sentenced by the court to death -December 28th, Polavieja (new Gov. Gen.) approves Rizal's execution by firing squad Martyrdom at Bagumbayan After being court-martialed, Rizal returned to his cell in Fort Santiago to prepare his rendezvous with destiny. During his last 24 hours on earth from 6:00 A.M. of Dec. 29 to 6:00 A.M. of Dec. 30, 1896 he was busy meeting visitors which includes his family and friends. He was also able to write his last poem his final contribution for the emancipation of the Filipino people. December 29, 1896 6:00 A.M. Captain Rafael Rodriguez read Rizals death sentence he will be shot at the back by firing squad at 7:00 A.M. in Bagumbayan. 7:00 A.M. Rizal was moved to the prison chapel where he spent his last moments. His first visitors were Jesuit priests. 7:15 A.M. Rizal reminded Fr. Luis Viza the statuette of the Sacred Heart of Jesus whom he carved as a student in Ateneo. 8:00 A.M. Rizal had a breakfast with Fr. Antonio Rosell. After breakfast, his attorney, Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade came. 9:00 A.M. Fr. Frederico Faura arrived. Rizal reminded the priest of his earlier prophecy about Rizal. 10:00 A.M. More Jesuit priests had visited him. After then, he was interviewed by Santiago Mataix for the newspaper El Heraldo de Madrid.

12:00 3:30 P.M. Rizal was left alone in his cell. He took his lunch and continued writing his farewell poem which he hid in an alcohol cooking stove. He also wrote his last letter to Professor Blumentritt. 3:30 P.M. Father Vicente Balaguer returned to his cell and discussed with Rizal his retraction letter. 4:00 P.M. Teodora Alonzo visited him. They had a very emotional encounter. Rizal gave the alcohol cooking stove to Trinidad which contains his farewell poem. Several priests have visited him afterwards. 6:00 P.M. Don Silvino Lopez, dean of the Manila Cathedral visited him. 8:00 P.M. Rizal had his last supper. He told Captain Dominguez that he forgave his enemies including the military judges. 9:30 P.M. Rizal was visited by Don Gaspar Cestano, fiscal of the Royal Audience de Manila. 10:00 P.M. The draft of the retraction letter sent by the antiFilipino Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda was given by Fr. Balaguer to Rizal for his signature. He had rejected it. Upon Rizals death, his supposedly retraction letter became of one of the most controversial documents in our history. This retraction letter allegedly contains his renunciation of the Masonry and his anti-Catholic religious ideas. December 30, 1896 3:00 A.M. Rizal heard Mass, confessed his sins and took Holy Communion. 5:30 A.M. He took his last breakfast. After which he wrote his last letters for his family and his brother, Paciano. Josephine Bracken arrived together with Rizals sister, Josefa, with tears in her eyes, bade him farewell. Rizal embraced him for the last time, and before she left, Rizal gave her a last gift a religious book, Imitation of Christ by Father Thomas Kempis. 6:00 A.M. As the soldiers were getting ready for the death march to Bagumbayan, Rizal wrote his last letter to his beloved parents. At about 6:30 A.M., a trumpet sounded at Fort Santiago, a signal to begin the death march to Bagumbayan. Rizal walked calmly with his defense counsel and two Jesuit priests at his sides. He was dressed elegantly in a black suit,

black derby hat, black shoes, white shirt and black tie. His arms were tied behind from elbow to elbow. There a lot of spectators lining the street from Fort Santiago to Bagumbayan. A Spanish military physician, Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo, asked his permission to feel his pulse. He was amazed to find it normal, showing that Jose Rizal was not afraid to die. The death ruffles of the drums filled the air. Above the drum beats, the sharp command Fire was heard, and the guns of the firing squad barked. Rizal, with supreme effort, turned his bulletriddled body to the right, and fell on the ground dead with face upward facing the morning sun. It was exactly 7:03 in the morning aged 35 years, 5 moths and 11 days. The Philippines a Century Hence (1) that the Philippines will remain to be a colony of Spain but will be in good terms with its captors;(2) that the Philippines will try to cut the ties of our Motherland from its captors through violent means;(3) and lastly that we will be colonized by another country. The thoughts of Rizal were not only based on his mere imagination, he tried to read in between the lines of the History of the many nations to come up with his recommendations of how the Philippines would look like. Rizal saw how the uprising in different nations started and thought that if Spain continuous to ignore the cries of its inhabitants, there will come a time that the oppressed will come into arms to recapture their lost freedom. In his essay, Rizal exposed the several issues that concern our country. The abuse of human rights, the lack of freedom of the press and the lack of representation in the Spanish Cortes are the key points discussed in the lengthy essay of Rizal. According to Rizal, the Filipinos must enjoy liberty of the press so that they can voice out their cries against the cruelty of the Spaniards. In addition, they must also have a representative in the Spanish Cortes to make known to the government and to the nation whether or not their decrees have been

duly obeyed. Lastly, Filipinos are also seeking for justice and for human rights. The Indolence of the Filipinos He admits the existence of indolence among the Filipinos, but it could be attributed to a number of reasons. He traces its causes to factors such as the climate and social disorders. He defends the Filipinos by saying that they are by nature not indolent, because in fact, even before the arrival of Spaniards, Filipinos have been engaged in economic activities such as agriculture and trade. Indolence therefore has more deeply rooted causes such as abuse and discrimination, inaction of the government, rampant corruption and red tape, wrong doctrines of the church and wrong examples from some Spaniards who lead lives of indolence which ultimately led to the deterioration of Filipinos values. In the end, Rizal sums up the main causes of indolence to the limited training and education Filipino natives receive and to the lack of national sentiment and unity among them. Education and liberty, according to Rizal, would be the cure to Filipino indolence. Sa Aking mga Kabata This is the first poem written by Rizal in 1869, at the age of 8. It speaks of love fro our own language. Last Poem of Rizal [Mi Ultimo Adios] Jose Rizal expresses his willingness to die for his motherland and bids farewell to his country, family, friends and love ones. He also asks them to pray for all those who died and suffered, and be thankful for he will be in a better place to rest.