Poem to Rizal

Marahil ika’y wala na sa henerasyong ito

Tila ba’y maraming natutunan sa mga aral na iyong iniwan
Mga kabataang tulad ko’y walang kupas sa paghinto
Sa pagpuksa ng mga mapanlinlang sa bayan

Ako’y gumagamit ng mga salitang makatotohanan

Tulad mo ika’y aking hinahangaan
Lalo na’t ito ang iyong paraan upang lumaban
Sa mga kastilang nananakupan

Mga mithiin mo ay aming ipagpapatuloy

Iyong mga hangarin sa ami’y dumadaloy
Naglalaom na bansa’y muling babangon
Sa mga kamay na nakakalason
Part II. Reflection Paper

Whenever I hear his name, the first thing that comes to mind is that he is our national hero who
wrote the famous novels which are Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal
Mercado Y Alonzo Realonda is one of the most influential personalities in Philippine history. The life and
works of Jose Rizal served an important role in my life because I've learned significant lessons and
knowledge about Rizal's life and the importance of his works and writings. After studying the life and
works of Jose Rizal, I have become more aware of his sacrifices, accomplishments, and ideas. It’s also
interesting to learn about his travels, his exile and death, social, political, economic ideals, and the
similarities between Rizal and other Filipino nationalists.

Dr. Jose Rizal lived a simple life, and he did not choose to live a lavish lifestyle, as most of us
would have. Even before he was under Spanish observation, he had tried to keep his life as simple as
possible. I believe that it was his parents that caused him to live as he did. I believe that one's lifestyle is
heavily impacted by one's parents. I learned from Rizal's life the value of parental involvement in their
children's moral development. I learned a lot by studying his life and work. I now have a better
understanding of Rizal's life and achievements in our country. I've considered Rizal our hero in a
different angle. While some of us may only remember him as our national hero, I've come to understand
that Rizal is just like the rest of us. He also had his struggles and triumphs like us. His life was very
inspirational. Not just an average narrative about a Filipino, but a story about a remarkably smart and
gifted Filipino who is willing to give up his entire life to bring freedom and peace to his family and his
country.

Rizal was a strong man. He used his writing skills to write poems, novels, and published articles
that taught Filipinos about good deeds and urged them to fight for their liberty. He resolved to free his
people by his thoughts and writings rather than through violence; he was always clever and forward-
thinking as he guided his people to independence. Rizal demonstrated that the pen is more powerful
than the sword. His writing skills help him to persuade his entire community to seek justice and break
down a government. He flies everywhere and ignites everything man's feelings. As the proverb goes,
"the written word is powerful," and it contains both positive and bad implications. It has the potential to
heal one's heart while also causing harm to another. One of these is "To the Filipino Youth," and it offers
strong messages to persuade readers, particularly young, that they are the hope of the nation, as well as
the necessity of education in one's future.

Rizal is a gentle, respectful, and compassionate citizen. He has dealt with societal issues in his
popular writings Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. He is an ambassador for social justice and
equality, which is admirable and should be followed. If only thousands of people were like Rizal, I feel our
society would be in a good state. I always wish I could be like him in some aspects of his life, but I realize
that is unlikely to happen. But what I'm doing is doing my best, making every chance to become an asset
in all aspects of life.