Dehniece Aleck V.
Mangawang
BS Accountancy
RIZAL IN THE CONTEMPORARY ERA: RELEVANCE OF DR. RIZAL'S LIFE AND WORKS TO THE
PRESENT GENERATION
A. Interview
What do you know about Dr. Jose Rizal's
life, education, and heroism?
“An activist during the spanish colonial
period that gave a big step to our
country's independency. Considered as
our national hero here in the philippines
as well. A writer of Noli me tangere that
impacted our way to independence,
alongside his other literary works.
All I remember is him studying on
different countries in different universities
that included UST and ADMU here in
manila, two of the considered big three
universities alongside UP.” – 1st
Interviewee, Cousin of mine.
“Based on what I've read about his life
were the facts that his efforts or
contributions for the country are still now
being look upon, some claims that he
doesn’t deserve being the national hero
because of the doubts and arguments
about Rizal’s status. It is stated at
"Veneration without Understanding" by
Renato Constantino. His education
actually impressed me since he already
started his study at young age and
continued being an excellent being by
possessing and using his intelligence on
different aspects.” – 2nd Interviewee
“Dr. Jose Rizal's life and achievements has
Are his teachings and heroism still
relevant today? Why or why not?
“His teachings and heroism are still
relevant today since it values highly on
education and wisdom—something the
humanity and our society will continue
on, as well for the generations to come.
With ignorance comes negligence,
especially in our own culture and our own
nation.
He fought for our country with
democracy. As the saying goes, the pen is
mightier than the sword. Always took
that quote to heart as I’m a journalist
myself. he fought without violence. He
fought with nobility and dignity. He
fought by intelligence and enlightenment
rather than the need to shed blood of our
colonizers.” – 1st Interviewee, Cousin of
mine.
“Yes, it still applies as the country still
stuck with some issues that happened
from the past and examples of it are
those related to politics. We, the
countrymen, still not fully open with the
discussion of having a great governance.
Others still refused to dive deeper on the
issues, completely disregarding those
people who tries to educate us. It is like
because we are accustomed with that
idea, we won't do anything to change it.”
– 2nd Interviewee
“Yes, many people still look up to Rizal,
been very well-known especially because
he is the country's national hero. Many
people praised him for his brilliance and
positive outlook on life. And he was
praised for his bravery and
determination, particularly for standing
up to the Spaniards during their
colonization of the Philippines on behalf
of all Filipinos.” – 3rd Interviewee
particularly the youth. His life and heroic
deeds are still documented in historical
books and taught in schools in every age,
particularly his famous novels and literary
works such as Noli Me Tángere and El
Filibusterismo, which inspired Filipinos in
every generation.” – 3rd Interviewee

B. Poem

MATA NG KABATAAN

“Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan”

Ito ang natatanging salita
Na kailangan natin itanim sa ating isipan
Sapagkat, ito’y magsisilbing gabay sa ating buhay

Mata ng kabataan
Ito ang magdadala sa ating magandang kinabukasan
Sa atin nakasalalay ang buhay ng lahat
Kaya tayo na’t magbahagi ng mga salita na magpapabukas sa isipan ng lahat