Life and Works of Rizal and Other Heroes

COL009
The Writings of Rizal

Module on
11 The Writings of Rizal

In this module, let us discover the Society of the Philippines in the time of Rizal and how it affected
his life.
What we are today is partially caused by the environment we live in as we grow up. It is undeniable
that society has a considerable influence on an individual's intellectual, spiritual, mental, behavioral, and
even physical attributes. An individual is the reflection of his society.
This module tackles the situation of the Philippines during the 19th century, which is the Spanish
colonization period. Let us discover how society shaped the mind of our national hero and how it affected
his life

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. identify other literary works of Rizal
2. establish a general understanding of his works
3. critically assess the role of these writings in the development of nationalism

Section 1: Self-Assessment
Instructions: This is a checklist to assess how well-read you are and how often you are exposed to
reading. Check all the answers that suit your personality and leave it blank if not.

1. Are you reading a book at the moment? If so, then which one?
2. What type of books do you like to read? (e.g., adventure, science fiction, detective,
romantic, etc.)
3. Do you have any favorite magazine, newspapers, or comics?
4. How long do you spend reading every day?
5. Where is your favorite place to read?
6. Do you have a favorite author?
7. What is your favorite book?
8. Would you like to be a writer?
9. How many books have you read in the past 6 months?
10. Are you a member of a library?
11. What kind of things would you like to write?
(Reading )

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 Life and Works of Rizal and Other Heroes

COL009
The Writings of Rizal
Section 2: Personal Development
Instructions: Analyze your score and answer the questions below.

My Discoveries:
Write a good reason why you consider yourself a bookworm. If you are not a bookworm, then write at least
three ways to develop this hobby.
1. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Direct Quote:
“Lifetime Literary Accomplishments

Although José Rizal died for his country at a young age, his list of literary works surpasses
many writers who lived a full life. These works are notable for their place in Filipino independence
and their beautiful language.
Plays of José Rizal
Satire was an effective rhetorical device for Rizal’s political message. His plays often
portrayed absurd situations that directly echoed Rizal’s criticism of the political state of the
Philippines.

• El Consejo de los Dioses • San Euistaquio, Mártyr

• Junta Al Pasig (Along the • Por Telefono (By Phone)
Pasig)
Poems of Rizal
“To the Child Jesus,’ written by Rizal at age 14, notes the writer’s early interest in
Christianity and social inequity. His poems often reflected the dual beauty and cruelty of his
country, thereby leading to Rizal’s final poem written before his execution, “Mi último adiós” (“My
Last Farewell”). The poem was named posthumously by fellow activist Mariano Ponce after the
writing was found in Rizal’s cell.

• “Farewell to 1883” • “Mi Último Adiós” (My Last

• “Por la Educación Recibe Farewell)
Lustre la Patria” • “Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo”
• “Sa Aking mga Kabata” • “Felicitation”
• “Flower Among Flowers”

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The Writings of Rizal

• “Goodbye to Leonor” • “El Canto del Viajero”

• “Himno Al Trabajo” • “To the Child Jesus”
• “Himno Al Talisay” (Hymn to • “To the Virgin Mary”
Talisay) • “Agua y Fiego” (Water and
• “Kundiman” Fire)
• “Mi Retiro” • “Me Piden Versos”
Musical Compositions
When José Rizal was not practicing medicine or leading a political revolution, he was composing
music. He often transformed his poems into musical lyrics. Some of Rizal’s compositions were
adapted into longer pieces by later generations. Rizal’s musical compositions include the following:

• Kundiman ni Rizal
• Alin Mang Lahi
• Leonor
Speeches and Petitions
In 1880 and 1890 Philippines, art and politics went hand in hand. Rizal belonged to a group
of activist artists that spoke up against tyrannical rule with their writing, music, and art. His
speeches honored his friends and compatriots who fought alongside Rizal for Filipino freedom.

• In honor of two Filipino • Petition of the town of

painters, Rizal’s toast to Luna Calamba
and Hidalgo • Order of the Marquis of
• Rizal’s speech delivered at Malinta
Cafe Habanero
Historical
Rizal was an adept historian and could read in Spanish, Italian, English, German, French,
and Tagalog. His numerous commentaries on historical works provide a fascinating look at the
Philippines before the 20th century.

• Ma-Yi • Historia de la Familia Rizal de

• Tawalisi of Ibn Batuta la Calamba
• Filipinas Dentro de Cien Años • Los Pueblos del Archipelago
• Sobre La Indolencia De Los Indico
Filipinas • La Politica Colonial on
• Manila en el mes Diciembre, Filipinas
1872 • Rizal’s Annotations to
Morga’s 1609 Philippine
History
Letters and Petitions
Rizal’s correspondence was no less prolific than his literary or political writing. Many
scholars believed that the best way to understand Rizal as a political figure and personality is by
reading his extensive letters and petitions. He wrote back and forth with fellow activists, family
members, friends Ferdinand Blumentritt and Leanor Rivera, and his love, Josephine Bracken.

• Tribute to Blumentritt
• Sa Mga Kababaihang Taga Malolos
• A Los Filipinos (To the Filipinos)
• Rizal’s letters (composed of correspondence to Blumentritt, Father Pablo Pastells,
Marcelo del Pilar, and other activists)

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Articles and Essays
Most of José Rizal’s body of writing can be found in his articles and essays. Published in
reform newspaper La Solidaridad and political circulars, Rizal’s essays expressed his admiration
for the Filipino people and his scorn for their Spanish oppressors. These works caught the
attention of the Spanish government, who ultimately imprisoned Rizal for writing rebellious works.

• “El Amor Patrio” • “Philippine Affairs”

• “Come se gobiernan las • “More on the Negros Affair”
Filipinas” • “Cowardly Revenge”
• “Revista De Madrid" (Review • “A Reply to Mr. Isabelo de los
of Madrid) Reyes' Las Luchas de
• “Los Viajes” (Travels) Nuestros Dias”
• “La Verdad Para • “How the Philippines is
Todos"Unfortunate Governed”
Philippines” • “On the Calamba Incidents”
• “Pensamientos De Un • “Ang mga Karapatan ng Tao”
Filipino” • “Executives of the Town of
• “Note on the Maremagnum” Calamba”
• “Los Agricultores Filipinos” • “Colonisation Du British
• “Sa Mga Kababayan” North Borneo, Par De
• “Una Visita A La Victoria Familles De Iles Philippines”
Gaol” • “Proyecto De Colonization Del
• “A La Defensa” (To La British North Borneo Por Los
Defensa) Filipinos”
• “How to Deceive the Native • “La Instruccion”
Land” • “La Mano Roja” (The Red
• “To Barrantes on the Tagalog Hand)
Theater” • “Pobres Frailes” (Poor Friars)
• “Una Profanacion,” • “By-laws of the Association
”Verdades Nuevas” of Dapitan Farmers”
• “Crueldad" (Cruelty) • “Date for My Defense”
• “Diferencias” (Differences) • “Additions to My Defense”
• “Inconsequencias” • “Manifesto to Some Filipinos”
(Inconsequences) • “The Philippines as a Spanish
• “Llanto Y Risas” (Tears and Colony”
Laughter) • “Notes on Melanesia,
• “Ingratitudes” (Ingratitude) Malaysia, and Polynesia”
• “Cosas de Filipinas” • “Constitution of La Liga
• “Sobre La Nueva Ortografia Filipina”
De La Lengua Tagala” • “La Vision Del Fray
• “A La Nacion Espanola" Rodriguez” (The Vision of Fr.
• “Defensa Del Noli” Rodriguez)
• “Nameless” • “Estado de religiosidad de los
pueblos en Filipinas”’
• “Let Us be Just”
(Gunner)
General Understanding of Rizal as a Writer

Although Rizal was already esteemed as a top intellectual and writer in the Philippines and Spain,
the problem with recognizing him as a national hero resulted in several unexpected consequences, that is,
an exaggerated focus on his life and neglect of what should be most valued (i.e., his writings). The lack of
understanding of Rizal comes from the fact that Rizal was a writer and suffered the irony of being a
national hero in a country where most people do not like to read.
Sadly, the proliferation of monuments, shrines, and homages have not been accompanied by the
scrutiny of his writings, which are most often read in a shallow and purely nationalistic way. In addition to
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, the rest of his abundant literary works is almost impossible to find

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The Writings of Rizal

in bookstores. If not for the outstanding efforts of another patriot (i.e., Teodoro M. Kalaw) in collecting and
editing most of his precious letters, then those would not be readily available at present. (Mojarro, 2018)
1. Prolific – Most of his literary masterpieces were not made for entertainment but exhibit deep
meaning. His works were written for specific purposes.
2. Double entendre – His phrases could have two meanings that could be understood in two different
ways. He liked to keep secret codes and loved to hide the sarcasm in serving the painful truth.
3. Heroic – Most of his works showed heroism and selflessness. He implored and praised heroic
deeds in many of his written accounts.
4. Social transformation – Studying in Madrid, traveling in places, and being a propagandist
influenced Rizal on the nature of his work and made him aim for social change.
5. Nationalistic and patriotic – He aimed to better the country as it is always present in his literary
works.
6. Experiential –Parts of his stories and literary works were based on actual events that he
experienced or witnessed.

What we read affects us. It inhabits our mind and influences our thoughts and point of view in life
and almost everything. Our decisions are based on the abstract truth that we build in our consciousness,
and what we read truly affects this process. Written below are some of the outcomes that may prevail if
someone will appreciate the literary masterpieces of Rizal.
1. Political awareness – Most of his works are written to scrutinize the political status of the country.
Reading his works might influence you on how to check, unravel, and investigate the government's
shortcomings.
2. Social awareness – His works also show how we should observe the becoming of society. Social
awareness and the current status of society some of the highlights of his works. Reading the works
of Rizal might help you in observing what is happening in reality.
3. To be active – Rizal always encourages self-development that leans toward personal improvement
and your action-driven impact on society. For Rizal, life could only be fruitful if used to improve
the country and society.
4. To patronize our Nationality – We should build our identity, that is, to embrace being Filipino and
to be proud of what we are. We should not believe how other nationalities shape us; instead, we
should focus on improving our own culture without losing our true identities.
5. To build camaraderie – We should become one. Rizal believed that citizens must unite and work
hand in hand in building a better society.
6. To see the bitter truth – Rizal’s works are idealistic, but they showed the bitter truth, the mishaps,
and the misfortunes that surround the society. To see the contributions of this bitter truth in
understanding the status is to diagnose the problem and address the solutions properly.
7. To love – Rizal is indeed a romantic. He has a talent for charming and swooning women, as shown
in his works.
8. To be selfless – This refers to working not for personal development but to work and serve the
lives of others. His work teaches us that we can impact our society by working to improve the lives
of one another. To live with a noble cause brings not only success but also growth.
9. To aim for progress and reforms – This refers to seeking change, that is, to avoid mediocrity and
aim for something better. We should not settle with what we have. We should search for what we
could be to serve our country.
10. To become a visionary – Rizal will teach us how to dream. To look forward and chase those dreams.
11. Education – Rizal has always believed in the power of education. He believed in what a learned man
can do and how knowledge can change our status.

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 Life and Works of Rizal and Other Heroes

COL009
The Writings of Rizal

Name: _________________________________ Course & Section: __________________

A. True or false.
Instructions: Read each sentence or phrase carefully. Write T if the statement is true and F if the
statement is false.
1. Satire was an effective rhetorical device for Rizal’s political message.
2. When José Rizal was not leading a political revolution, he was composing music.
3. The speeches of Rizal honored his friends and compatriots who fought alongside him for Filipino
freedom.
4. Rizal is not the true author of Ma-Yi.
5. Most of José Rizal’s body of writing can be found in his articles and essays.

B. Matching words.
Instructions: Choose the correct term or phrase from the given options that matches with the
following phrases or sentences. Write the correct answer.

Column A Column B
6. Prolific A. Rizal will teach us how to dream.
7. To see the bitter truth B. Rizal’s work shows the bitter truth.
8. To build camaraderie C. Phrases that can have two meanings
9. To be a visionary D. We should become one.
10. Experiential E. Works that show heroism

C. Answer the following:

Instruction: Compare and contrast your favorite literary masterpiece to one of Rizal’s works.

Work of Rizal My Favorite Story

Theme and plot
1. The environment of the novel is light and 1. The aura of the novel signifies a battle
romantic. (example) between peaceful and violent revolution.
(example)

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D. Instructions: Compare and contrast the characters in Rizal and your favorite character in any story.
Noli Me Tangere My Favorite Character
1. Crisostomo Ibarra on Noli Me Tangere is 1. I like Superman because similar to Rizal, he is
romantic and idealistic. (example) selfless and works for the others’ benefit.

E. Instruction: Pinky swear is a way of making a promise. Write at least three promises on what you
would do to read the works of Rizal.
1. I promise to _________________________________________________________________
2. I also promise to ______________________________________________________________________
3. Most importantly, I promise to ____________________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________ Course & Section: __________________

In summary, write a 100+ word reflection paper on what you have learned in this module.
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 Life and Works of Rizal and Other Heroes

COL009
The Writings of Rizal

Name: _________________________________ Course & Section: __________________

A. Matching words.
Instructions: Choose the correct term or phrase from the given options that matches with the following
phrases or sentences. Write the correct answer.
Column A Column B
1. Political awareness A. Rizal always believe in the power of education
2. To be active B. Based on real events
3. To patronize our nationality C. We should build our identity.
4. To build camaraderie D. Aiming for social change
5. To see the bitter truth E. Works that are not for personal development but others
6. To love F. To seek change
7. To be selfless G. Self-development for the country and others
8. To aim for progress H. Scrutinize the political status of the country
9. To be a visionary I. Rizal is truly romantic
10. Education J. Works that show heroism

B. Answer the following:

Look for other references and add information to what we have discussed. Attach an extra sheet of
paper.
Objective 1: Analyze one of Rizal’s work and critique it.

Objective 2: In what way does reading certain literature helps you improve your nationalistic and
patriotic beliefs?
Objective 3: Can Rizal’s works be of help in the situation of the Philippines today? How?

Bibliography
Reading . (n.d.). Retrieved from TeachingEnglish:
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/Reading%20student%20worksheet.pd
f
Gunner, J. (n.d.). Books and Literary Works Written by José Rizal. Retrieved from Your Dictionary:
https://reference.yourdictionary.com/books-literature/what-are-literary-works-jose-rizal.html
Mojarro, J. (2018, June 14). Reading, understanding, and appreciating Rizal. Retrieved from Rappler:
https://www.rappler.com/voices/imho/reading-understanding-appreciating-jose-rizal

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The Writings of Rizal

Name: _________________________________ Course & Section: __________________

Identification.
Instructions: What kind of trait is demonstrated by each item? Write the correct answer.

Column A Column B
1. Taking action when injustices happen Political Awareness
2. Being aware of the injustices that are experienced by
marginalized groups Social Awareness
3. Volunteering your time to social causes Activism
4. Striving for excellence in your work
5. Forming relations with other volunteers to provide more positive Nationalism
impact
6. Being aware that some politicians are not acting for the Camaraderie
community To See the Bitter Truth
7. Knowing that the government and the private sector is prone to
being authoritarian or selfish Love
8. Being proud of precolonial history
9. Showing compassion to people who are different from yourself Selflessness
10. Always striving to provide solutions for your community Aiming for Progress
To Become a Visionary