RALPH MAGLAPAY 12-STEM B

PADRE FAURA WITNESSES THE EXECUTION OF RIZAL

1. Who is Pepe? Explain.

Based on the story, the person who used the nickname Pepe is Jose Protacio Rizal
Mercado y Alonzo Realonda to change or hidden his real identity. The author of the books
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. He is a remarkable protagonist and contributor in the
Philippine Literature and History.

2. Why does Pepe ask the persona about the purgatory?

Purgatory is a place where soul’s doesn’t have a direct place to go (whether hell or
heaven). He didn’t ask heaven because he made a bad things in this world, also not hell
because he knows that there is something good that he made. Pepe ask the persona about
purgatory because he knows or feels already that sooner or later his life is about to end.

3. The poem talks about the nature of stars. Can you explain what he means, in terms of
science?
A Star gives heat and light to the things outside or inside of the Earth/Universe. A star is
an extremely hot ball of fire. Stars are made to do its duty and function in the universe. It is
believe in Astrology to influence people’s lives. And once it reaches its lowered temperature,
it will stop living but it will continue to shine as if it is not already dead.

4. This discussion of a star is also a metaphor. What is it a metaphor for? Explain.

The refers to Dr. Jose Rizal. He is the star who made us know the real situation
happened, or he is the one who open our eyes. He was born to do his duty in this world and
bring hope and light to the people. Even he already dead, his light still and continue in
shimmering even millions of miles away from us.

5 Why was Rizal executed? How is this similar to the idea of a star? Relate this to
Philippine History
Dr. Jose Rizal was executed because of his novels that talk about the injustices and
brutalities suffered by the Filipinos to the Hands of Spaniards. He hardly criticized and
exposed the problematic life under the Spanish Government. He also became the leader of
the reform movement of Filipinos in Spain. It is similar to a star because his works remain as
part and have a great contribution in the Philippine history and this will remain and
remembered through generations.

6. What do you think the persona felt for Rizal? Give textual evidence.
And on this day Star:
With the year beginning to turn, Still shimmering
Salt stings my eyes, Even if millions of miles away,
I see Pepe, The star itself

A blur Is already dead

Between the soldiers
With their Mausers raised
And the early morning’s

As reading this lines, I can see the persona felt so painful or hard emotion to Jose Rizal.
He can’t imagine and realize that this will happened to a person who only want is to free
Filipino’s from the abusive hands of other.

7. Do you feel the same way? Why or why not?

Yes I feel the same way because Jose Rizal is one of the greatest hero who risk his own
life for the sake and to free us from the Spaniards. He’s novels made the Filipino’s open their
blinded eyes to the true face and identity of the colonizers. Also, I believe in the bible and it
say’s you should not kill, Rizal are human and also Filipinos, we don’t have the right to take
away anyone’s life. The question that comes to my mind sometimes is “why would some end
like this kind of death? With this brutalities and injustices”.

8. What would you say was Rizal’s greatest contribution to Philippine society?
For me, the greatest contribution of Dr. Jose Rizal to the Philippine society is his words/
sayings/ thoughts and his published works. Especially the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo have a big contribution because of this our sleeping minds wake up and we
became aware to what happened in our own country and this lead us to fight for our
freedom. The works of Rizal also help the Philippine History.
9. If you were in Rizal’s place, would you have supported the Katipunan? Why or why
not?
If I would Rizal, I support and help the katipunan (like in the proper planning) because
we only want one thing, and it is the freedom of Filipinos but I would not go to to the
battlefield just like what others do. Going in the battlefield is just like suicide. Imagine an
army with a “badang” and doesn’t know the proper strategies in fighting, versus a army with
high caliber of guns and cannons and well trained soldiers. We can’t win that kind of fight.

10. Who do you consider as our national hero? Jose Rizal or Andres Bonifacio?
Both of them have the right to be a national hero of the Philippines. But for me, Jose
Rizal is better than Andres Bonifacio.
Bonifacio lead an army who prefer a remorseless bloody rebellion using sword.
Through his skills writing, Jose Rizal lead a rebellion and clearly stated the immortality of
the Spaniards towards Filipinos by the use of a pen. Every Filipino who reads it awaken their
souls and mind to start a revolution and fight as one.
“Pen is mightier that the sword” and “quiet fighter is better than a noisy fighter”.