Bayaning Third World: My Reaction
The most common thing or if I may say the only thing that people answer when you ask them about Jose Rizal is that he is our national hero— idol and he is found in our 1-peso coin— icon. Sad to say that, in our modern times today, people have very limited knowledge about our national hero. The facts above are the only two things most of us know about Jose Rizal but for historians and experts; they have so much adjectives to connect with our national hero.
Bayaning Third World, a “detective” story about Rizal being Philippine’s National Hero. Commenting on the movie per se, at first I thought it is just some boring documentary about Rizal but understanding the facts exposed made me interested. The film is in black and white but it didn’t hindered my amusement because of the funny way they presented the most serious facts about Rizal. The movie is easy to understand if you are able to read about his life story or if you have tackled his life in your Filipino or Rizal subject but if not, you may get confused. Good thing, I have read and we have tackled his life in our lecture— that helped me follow through the film. This film also highlighted Rizal being a “Pilosopo” which reflected the Filipino attitude both in a good and not so good way. They also showed Rizal’s letters and documents which is commonly taken for granted to unveil the truth about his controversies. The movie made it “viewer-friendly” by face to face interviews with the involved persons and that is why I appreciated Rizal’s significant others behind their names.
The main point stressed in this film is Rizal’s Retraction, which involves his marriage to Josephine Bracken and the rumors about her being a spy for the friars. There are many possibilities and speculations brought about in this film, which also made me, think. They say that Rizal died a catholic despite of him being a mason through his signed letter but others say that the letter was real but the signature is fake given the fact that Rizal’s signature is easy to forge and some says that the letter was completely invalid— was just made by the insecured and threatened friars to destroy Rizal’s reputation. If you would ask me if he really retracted or not, for me, it doesn’t matter because as long as he died to give credence to what he believes and to fight for our democracy and his convictions it doesn’t make him less of a hero. I believe that Rizal only became a mason because he was against the government, which happened to also be the church and vice-versa. He isn’t against about God and Catholicism per se but in the “supposedly” instruments of God’s love and greatness which are the priests who are ruthless to the Filipino people. Also, he was against the people who sells their religion for wealth and for people who exchanged their religion for power and that is why he thought of why will he not be against of it being a cause of suffering and hardships.
At the point where in Rizal almost burn the manuscript of Noli Me Tangere made me think that it is a symbol of him letting go of what he strongly believes in connection to him not joining the “Himagsikan”. He become hopeless and I think he become afraid of death, probably but since he continued the publishing of Noli Me Tangere, I believe, he gained back his strong convictions regarding our democracy and showed his nationalism and patriotism.
I thought what I know about Rizal was enough to understand his life, works and writing but having finished this independent film widened my understanding not only for Rizal’s positive sides but also for his flaws. Jose Rizal being a national hero considering his great influence not only in the Philippines but to other countries he had gone also with his works, the great impact he left with our history as a country and culture as its citizen, his weight to some indigenous religions also has his own flaws and faults because he is also a human being capable of doing those things.
Less people know Rizal’s “dark side”— controversies, I myself am one of those before I watched this film because we are focused more on his good side, his achievements and contributions for the betterment of our country but having the chance to know his flaws which until know haunts him, we must understand him and don’t condone the fact that he is still a human being. Rizal really don’t want to be a hero, he just wanted to prove his great passion and love for our country. Indeed, Rizal chose to die because it is one way to give credence and weight to his beliefs and philosophy.
We all have our own Rizal. We have different perceptions and understanding regarding his life, works and writings. As for me, though he is not “perfect” as a national hero should be, I still salute and look up to him for his immense contributions and grand legacy which until is applicable until now. Despite his imperfection, it didn’t lessen his heroism. In fact, his controversies made his life more interesting and it only made him more famous not only during his time but now and in the future generations. I didn’t get surprised that many critic and question his life but for me he is still the 3rd world hero of all time.
How can we become Rizal in our own little ways? By following simple rules and regulations and by paying the right tax. There are a lot more and it is up to you to think of whatever way it suites you. Let us be a modern-day Rizal to continue his legacy for the future generation.
Bayaning Third World is a film of substance. It is very appealing and is highly recommended for other students studying Rizal. It is effective for my learning.
Even if our 1-peso coin is in constant devaluing, Rizal still remain number one in our hearts.
*this is my reaction paper for my Rizal class, I got 84% in this paper… Though I am not satisfied—SATISFIED with my grade, that’s how it was graded so let it be. =)
Picture source: http://www.pinoymovierentals.com/images/items/big_2506_f.jpg