Week 4: "Final Stretch"
This is the last week for the summer classes. We discussed the other writings of Rizal, as well as a few Anti-Rizal texts. I have understood that it was necessary to truly know Rizal's life and works before giving the verdict. He was very consistent in his writings in advocating education, liberty, and national sentiment, which can be attributed to the progress of the Filipinos, as well as their lacking characteristics during the Spanish colonization. I have realized that Rizal is still relevant in the present age. What the Filipinos are facing now reflects what the Filipinos had experienced in the past, as if history repeated itself, with another entity as the oppressor. The farmers are still suffering, national identity may still be an issue for some, and there is still a risk for another era of injustices and oppression. Have we Filipinos learned from their mistakes? Have we understood Rizal's writings? Though the current state of the Philippines is still somewhat unstable, the class taught us that progress can never be stopped permanently. It was also written in Rizal's the Philippines as a Century Hence that the Philippines will eventually progress and gain freedom from its oppressors. Even with this certain possibility, we must not be complacent nor lax. We should strive for excellence and do what we can to unite the country, in its successes, and even downfalls. P.S. I would have appreciated it more if more discussions were done in the lecture and recitation classes, if not for the short span of time for the summer classes. P.P.S. I do not regret taking PI10
