Recitation: Rizal was asserting a difference in national identity, which the world, especially in

the West, had not heard of yet. Let us go back to the present time. Do you think much has
changed since 1882?

His first trip abroad and his secret mission He must get the best education he could find and
answer his life question: what could he do to help his oppressed Motherland? He has to
study in Madrid but this plan was kept secret.
To observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries and government
and laws of the European nations to prepare himself for the mighty task of liberating his
oppressed people from Spanish tyranny. On May 3, 1882, Rizal left for the Philippines for the
first time in Spain.

"Literature is a mirror of our culture," as the adage goes. Literature is a rare resource that
can transform our life and open our eyes to the world around us. Rizal depicts that during his
time Friars' command choices were more powerful than the Governor-General's, social
concerns, injustice, and the Philippines' status as a backward country during the Spanish
colonization of the Philippines.

The issues during that time continue to touch today's age. The conflicts that dominated the
story, such as corruption, injustice, poverty, and abuse, are still present today. We can
witness it everywhere, and there is one song that hit me so hard, and it goes “habang may
tatsulok at sila ang nasa tuktok, Di matatapos itong gulo.” Because the more powerful, the
more confident they are to handle those crimes. And always, those who don't have the
power, are the one who suffers and has no voice to prove their innocence. Our country is still
not considered a developed country because of many reasons but one is corruption,
government officials use our money for their benefits and forget to at least do something that
will make our country better. They prioritize their happiness instead of giving it as help to
those who are in need and somehow make someone smile.

Thus, It tells us to consider our actions and thoughts in the context of our country. Rizal’s
writings or novel's concept is to promote nationalism and accept change in oneself that is still
relevant today. We must patronize our country by upholding the law, supporting Philippine
culture, and attaining the country's ultimate aim by assisting one another in its improvement.
It instills in us the qualities of wisdom, battling for what is right, and patriotism. This novel is
being taught in schools to avoid repeating history by teaching students how to love their
country and to empower youth as change agents. Jose Rizal wants us to be authentic
Filipinos; knowing who we are and what our true aspirations are would help the country
thrive.