Title page

“Bayaning Third World”

The film was all about different controversies surrounding Rizal and the highlight was the Retraction Controversy. Did Rizal, in his last few days, ever wrote a letter withdrawing his attacks to the Catholic Church? If he did, what could have driven him to write that? The retraction letter is really controversial because if Rizal did write that, it would turn out that he does not deserve to be called a hero after all. The film makes me feel like I am in the Hispanic time because of the black and white feature. But this did not bring me to sleep because of the film’s humor that balanced a very serious topic: The Retraction Controversy. It was not an ordinary film about Rizal’s heroic life and suffering like many directors and filmmakers have done before. I salute every brains behind the film, for going beyond the normal and for making me see that Rizal is not that godly since he also had unrevealed secrets and unsolved controversies just like any human. He could have been inconsistent with his ideals because if not, controversies like this would not arise. His alleged inconsistencies made him a “Bayaning Third World”. I even think Rizal would agree as him being a “marupok”, he was just like any of us who had weaknesses and didn’t want to be perceived as god-like. The characters show that they respect their elders. Dr. Jose Rizal show this to his elder sisters Narcissa and Trining, to his elder brother Paciano, and to his mother. In spite of oppression by the Spaniards to the Filipino people, the director showed in the characters of Ricky Davao and Chris Villanueva as film makers that the Filipinos are joyful. In the characters of Dona Theodora (also called Dona Lolay), Trining, and Narcissa being God-fearing was shown by going to the church to attend the mass, and by performing the rosary. The family of Rizal sent him to school. Rizal has strong value of this because he made sure that he will finish Medicine. He didn’t just study here in the Philippines but also studied abroad. The Rizal family was very close to each other. Rizal wrote letters to his family. His mother wrote letter to him. Paciano make sure that Rizal will be safe against the Spaniards.Thoughtfulness was shown in the movie when Rizal wrote letters to his family, friends, and Jesuit priest. Rizal showed this when the Jesuit priest help him when he was in Ateneo, he try to show his respect to them, unlike to the other priest. Rizal showed his strong sense of gratitude. When Rizal was in prison he showed his resilientness. Even if the Spaniards were accusing him of a sin, he is still resilient that he is innocent. Rizal has a strong value of bravery. Until his death he showed this by being not afraid to face the bullets shoot unto him by the Spanish soldiers during the firing squad at Bagumbayan. At the part where in Rizal almost burn the manuscript of Noli Me Tangere made me think that it was a symbol of him letting go of what he strongly believed in connection to him not involved with “Himagsikan”. He became hopeless and I think he became afraid of death, probably, however, since he continued the publishing of Noli Me Tangere, I believe, he gained back his strong convictions regarding our democracy and showed his nationalism and patriotism. I thought what I know about Rizal was enough to understand his life, works and writing but having finished this independent film widened my understanding not only for Rizal’s positive sides but also for his flaws. Jose Rizal being a national hero considering his great influence not only in the Philippines but to other countries he had gone also with his works, the great impact he left with our history as a country and culture as its citizen, his weight to some indigenous religions also has his own flaws and faults because he is also a human being capable of doing those things. Less people know Rizal’s “dark side” controversies, I myself was one of those before I watched this film. We were focused on his good side, his achievements and contributions for the betterment of our country but having the chance to know his flaws which until now haunts him, we must understand him and not condone the fact that he was still a human being. Rizal really don’t want to be a hero, he just wanted to prove his great passion and love for our country. Indeed, Rizal chose to die because it was one way to give weight to his beliefs and philosophy. We all have our own Rizal. We have different perceptions and understanding regarding his life, works and writings. As for me, though he is not as “perfect” as a national hero should be, I still salute and look up to him for his immense contributions and grand legacy which is applicable until now.

Daryll Jethro Olfato
BSIT – 3