Rizal in Dapitan: Movie Remarks
The film shows that Rizal was exiled in Dapitan due to the decision of the government. But despite of sending him out far away he still achieved significant things. He is really amazing that he continued to practice medicine and even cure the sick people especially those who have problems with their eyes. Rizal also engaged himself in farming, agriculture and even building a school for boys, water system and discovering new specimens. Although he made himself busy for so many things, still he keeps the correspondence to the family and friends. Rizal can have a rest in Dapitan and can even give no attention to his past activities but he kept in his heart the things that merely interest him. Although his life in Dapitan was a bit contented, the problem of Rizal’s turning back to the Catholic Church was a great issue to the friars. The authority in the Church gave such conditions that can contribute on making Rizal be part on the Church like before. The Jesuit even sent Fr. Sanchez to convince Rizal in changing the errors defined by Rizal in the novel to the Catholic Church and its attack to the Spanish colony. Even if Fr. Sanchez was his favorite teacher and even considered him as his father, he really stands in his principle and changes nothing on what he had stated before. In spite of Fr. Sanchez’s failure in convincing Rizal, this professor respect Rizal’s decision. Based on this event, it really shows that Rizal is not attacking the Church itself because there are some other good friars that are not hypocrites and even paid respect to people. There is a scene in the film that really struck me, when the boys in Dapitan joined the school of Rizal. If I try to evaluate the condition of Rizal as ex-communicated, the parents of those boys really gave their trust to Rizal to make their sons be educated and learn different lessons in life. Even the friars in the place warned the parents to get away their sons to the sinful beings so that they may be guided in the right path and not the path of this human evil that obviously referring to Rizal. I just realized that not all Filipinos before were ignorant and servants of Spaniards because just like some parents in Dapitan they were conscious of giving education to their children and entered them on the free school of Rizal with some conditions. This kind of attitude represents courage and willingness to learn many things not just intellectually but physically and mixed with recreation. I give my salute to these boys and especially to the consent and trust of the parents for the sake of their children to go beyond to the field of education and keeping the sense of motivation despite of financial problem.
One of the vital events in Rizal’s life in the Dapitan was the presence of Josephine Bracken in which they lived together without the matrimonial sacrament and considered as a disgrace during their time. I’m still a little bit confused with the character of Joshepine if she’s a spy or if she really loved Rizal. But the important lesson I get from Rizal in this event of his life is the importance of living a good and peaceful life with the partner despite of the lack in matrimonial sacrament and the critic of Rizal’s sister, the friars and other people. For Rizal it is better to live without matrimony but having a peaceful living rather having a matrimonial sacrament but the couple is always fighting and the relationship is really chaotic.
In the later part of the film Dr. Valenzuela visited Dapitan and brought a blind man to be cured but the reason for the visit is beyond curing but to solicit Rizal regarding the plan of revolution under the leadership of Bonifacion. Rizal objected the bloody revolution for the reasons of lack of arms and funds and the people are not yet ready for the revolution. There are so many things to prepare for. Rizal is projecting the consequences it they will pursue it. The Spaniards have better arms and battle equipments and the soldiers were well trained unlike the members of Katipunan. I think Rizal is not turning his back to his mission just because of his objection. It is just for him before conducting a bloody revolution, there must be a plan a big preparation especially to each member. Also he objected Dr. Valenzuela to rescue him from Dapitan because he gave his word of honor and promise to the Spanish government and he didn’t want to break it.
Yesterday morning when I was walking upstairs to 4th floor in school, the Philippine National anthem was played and I stopped between the flights of the stepping stages. I just noticed other students kept on going and chatting so loudly with a free thunderous laugh and even continued texting and studying. I felt very disappointed with that kind of attitude because they already forgot to give honor to the Philippine flag. Almost all Filipinos are being taught to practice the right manner when “Lupang Hinirang” (Philippine National Anthem) will be played. Even if you are in between of important works, or walking in the street, or eating or playing or whatever things you are doing, you should at least show respect through standing straightly and kept out on moving just for at least 4 minutes. Much better if you will sing it and when you see the flag, put your right hand unto your left chest. Is it really that hard to do such simple thing? Maybe one reason for that is being apathetic on important things and disregarding such honor to usual practices and culture in the country. Some people are so busy with irrelevant things. Having this kind of character leads us to insolence. How sad it is, as our country persist modernization, we change a lot. Change is not bad at all; we are the ones who make mess on it. I just wish that we keep respect in our hearts in just simple ways. Despite of the country’s economic and social problems at least we offer reverence to the good things in the nation that symbolizes of being a Filipino.
The documentary film shows me how Jose Rizal lived his life with his own ideas and principles. Although he existed with a better life and belongs to a middle class family, it was clear for him how Filipino people suffered from the hands of the Spaniards who ruled the country in his time. He expressed his feelings and opinions in the situation with regards to the political status of the country through writing poems, novels and books. Those writings are really powerful in such a way that it criticized several politician and most especially the abusive Spaniards. His works emphasized how the Church treated the people, the experiences of the Filipino people and the law implemented by the Spaniards and those in power really don’t like how Rizal described them. I just realized how ironic it was when Rizal was thrown away from his own country because of rebellion. Betrayal also was a highlight at that time, in which Rizal thought that those he considered as friends would help him out in fulfilling his plans just like what happened in Spain in which he lost the election. I thought Rizal can easily get over with that experience and I just knew in the film that he is that kind of person who can’t simply forget terrible experiences in his life. It was good that he still has very good and loyal friends in some countries in Europe that helped him out in publishing his book. I can’t imagine how he feels about the horrifying things happened to him as well as his family. Many of them suffered due to that rebellion against the Spaniards. But in spite of the consequences, Rizal really fights for it but unfortunately it was not that easy. He was thrown away with nothing only his writing, far from the family and experienced discouragement in pursuing his plans and he tried to move on, live his life and forget Philippines. But in the end his love for the country is really important for him although he was able to move on in other countries, he went out in his comfort zones and went back in his own country and started everything all over again. Unfortunately, the government really treated him as criminal and rebel, and given no privileges in staying in his own country. Despite the fact that he was considered as criminal, he started his mission little by little like building a small school, teaching people, building a small clinic, continue his writing, etc. But as he tried to fulfill his goals, every thing gets complicated and dangerous. But it was really amazing that he didn’t give up on what he believes in and even offered his life for the freedom of his people. He is not selfish, he wanted to live his life with justice and exterminate monopoly and abuse of ordinary people. All he wants is freedom. He gave up his life as a fulfillment of his goal to free the Filipino people from the Spaniards. Moreover, his works are really significant and given credits because those writings described the important events in his time and gave inspiration to the people to pursue justice and independence under the unlawful and tyrant invaders. His life and principles are worthwhile and that’s an example of an authentic ‘Bayani’, a passion of looking forward for the sake of the country despite all horrible consequences and worst is death. 
