CHAPTER 9

“National Affair”

A REFLECTION PAPER

In partial Fulfilment of the

Requirements in the Subject GE1804

Rizal’s Life and Works

To be Submitted to

Mrs. Quiovy De Leon

Submitted by

Arnecillo, Aysaac Gabrielle DC.

BSCPE 301

November 24, 2020

opinion and analysis of the previously discussed topics and current affairs of the country. The

paper shall have the following parts:

I. Title Page

II. 300-Word Abstract

III. Analysis

a. Chapter Title

i. Characters Involved

ii. 200-Word Chapter Summary

b. Interpretation of your Junior High School Teacher for this Chapter

c. Reflection of the issue in the Chapter to Modern Society

i. Existence of the Literary Dilemma in the Modern Society

ii. Implied Topic Covered in this Chapter

d. 500-word Personal Reflection

IV. References (in APA format)

2. The paper must answer and discuss the following questions:

I. How does Noli Me Tangere impact on our current society?

II. Are the problems presented in Noli Me Tangere somehow present in our

society?

3. The paper must also cover and discuss at least one (1) of the following topics in this subject as

implications of the novel:

I. Development of Nationalism, Patriotism, and Voluntarism

II. Development of a Nation

III. Land Ownership in the Country

IV. The Cavite Mutiny

V. Expatriation

VI. Controversies regarding “slanderous” content

Even in today's society, there is still persistent inequality. As predicted, it grows more severe or

worse. People with higher intelligence utilizes their abilities to harm others. Money, power, and being

influenced by others are the factors that push people to make terrible decisions. Those who are weak

should be stepped on, and partners should accommodate their level. A tragic truth of life that

demonstrates how vicious, individuals can be. Where their mind is filled with the desire to achieve what

they want. That is why weak individuals would try anything to get to a point where they will no longer

be considered weak.

It is quite embarrassing to admit that people occasionally collaborate with one another just to

fulfill their own selfish goals. Politicians, in particular, are an excellent example of this issue. By the

time elections are scheduled to take place. Many of these politicians are devout Christians,  who attend

Sunday mass and other actions aimed at eliciting public compassion. There are no hard emotions, yet it

does exist; to show this, simply open your eyes wider. Observe what is going on in the world around you

and investigate the existence of this substance.

I'm not claiming I'm flawless because of the way I'm judging what they're doing. I'm just

curious as to how they are able to participate in such activities. An opportunistic mind's bright notion,

which leads the weak to seek it out. Because as soon as this disappears, they will revert to the position

they previously held. In general, I applaud individuals who are kind-hearted enough to help others in

need without asking anything in return. Even though they are travelling along a gloomy road, we all

know that people have a sunny side. After all, there is always an ending and beginning.

CHAPTER 9: NATIONAL AFFAIRS tells Sibyla that he’s dying and that he’s

Father Dámaso pulls up to Captain Tiago’s decided to let it happen rather than undergoing

home in his Victoria, passing Aunt Isabel and surgery. Sibyla then informs the old man of the

María Clara on his way up the steps. They tell incident the previous night between Father

him that they are going to the convent to collect Dámaso and Ibarra, and the two priests agree

María Clara’s belongings, and he says, “Aha! that having Ibarra in the church would greatly

Aha! We’ll see who wins out, we’ll see…,” a benefit their religious order, since he is such a

statement they dismiss before taking their wealthy and influential individual. As such,

leave. He then goes into the house and tells they hope that he does indeed marry María

Captain Tiago that they must speak right away Clara, for then they could be sure he would

—the two men retreat to talk in private. support the church, given Captain Tiago’s

undying devotion.
Meanwhile, Father Sibyla goes to visit a very

old priest who remains unnamed. The priest Rizal turns his attention to the Captain General,
who hears from somebody present at the dinner REFLECTIONS OF THE ISSUE TO

party that Father Dámaso spoke unfavorably MODERN SOCIETY

about him. He laughs this off, saying, “Women In today's society, cruelty and injustice still
and friars can do no harm. I mean to live in exists. Human trafficking, drug trafficking,
peace during the time left to me in this country, cyber prostitution, and any other illegal
and I want no more problems with men who incidents are all prevalent in this environment.
wear skirts.” In private, though, he laments the This covers those who were killed without due
fact that the Philippines gives the friars so process. It's possible that resolving these issues
much power. will take a long time. But the most essential

Back at Captain Tiago’s house, Father Dámaso thing is that the problem has a solution.

finishes speaking with his host. “You have It denotes the severity of the Filipino
been warned!” he tells Tiago. “All this could people's suffering at the hands of the friars. Our
have been avoided if you had only consulted brothers and sisters are compelled to work, and
me beforehand and if you had not lied to me many are oppressed. They are able to bear the
when I asked you. Try not to make any more pain because they lack the guts to seek
stupid mistakes. And trust her godfather!” vengeance. The Indios were forced to choose
When Dámaso leaves, Captain Tiago rushes to between killing their fellow men and being
his household shrine and extinguishes the slain by the friars. It assesses how callous
candles he lit for Ibarra’s safe passage to San Spaniards were towards Filipinos.
Diego. “There’s still time, and the road is very
PERSONAL REFLECTION
long,” he says to himself.
We have no influence over the events
INTERPRETATION DURING JUNIOR
that occur in our everyday life. This is one of
HIGH SCHOOL
the many tests that God has given us. To test
The value of the friar's power and our faith and strength in dealing with
influence was emphasized. Where Filipinos are such predicaments; a chance to demonstrate our
unable to exert themselves, they are influenced abilities to surpass this challenge. Facing this
by their benign influence. Because everything demonstrates that you are ready to confront
the friar says must be obeyed, and all authority another manageable difficulty when the time
must be able to guide anyone they wish. Where comes. A minor issue at home, at work, or in
they discover a variety of ways to carry out his society should be prevented. If you leave it
ideas in accordance with, what or how they alone, it will continue to grow. Cowards, in my
began. They showed no mercy and exploited opinion, are persons who turn their backs on or
any resources without regard for the fact that refuse to confront their own challenges.
many of the Filipinos were prejudiced.
 History does really replicate itself in https://philnews.ph/2021/03/12/chapter-9-noli-

reality. Why? It's because it happens— me-tangere-local-affairs-summary/.

injustices, cruelties, sway, and power wielded @. (n.d.). Noli Me Tangere Chapter 9: National
by the wealthy. It may be found in the history Affairs Summary & Analysis | LitCharts.
books of the Philippines during the Spanish era, LitCharts. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/noli-
where Rizal wrote volumes criticizing the me-tangere/chapter-9-national-affairs.
friars' treatment of Filipinos. Forcible work, the

payment of taxes, oppressed servants, and so

forth. It is still in use today. When we compare

today's administration to the government of the

Spanish era, we can see that there are

significant differences as well as some

similarities. In today's system, the government

does not interfere with the church's religious

activities, and the church cannot interfere with

the government's propaganda.

During the Spanish era, the

government and the church responded with

vigor to any acts that harmed Filipinos. To

address the question, how does the Spanish

era's government system resemble that of

todays? Politicians are brought into the picture

in certain ways. Especially with elections on

the horizon. Money is present, speaking and

acting on their behalf. Making several pledges

to complete tasks and enhance various aspects

of life. So many flowery chitchats only to get a

large number of voters. In the end, it's the

people who have to bounce back. It's a terrible

truth that anyone can tell anyone else.

REFERENCES:

Rey, M. (2021, March 12). Chapter 9 Noli Me

Tangere – “Local Affairs” (SUMMARY).

Philippine News.