Raye Cielo R.

Bercero September 10, 2013

Meaning and History: The Rizal Lectures

Summary

The book, written by Ambeth Ocampo tells us more about Rizal through his series of
essays. Rizal, throughout the years, from what I have gathered from my high school readings,
has been described to the Filipinos as an extraordinarily intelligent, well travelled scholar,
productive writer, brilliant linguist, courageous and nationalistic journalist, and many more. In
fact, I looked at him someone who is beyond us. To wit, he was an excellent student who
graduated top of his class with a grade that no one has ever surpassed. He is a writer even at a
very young age, a doctor, a historian, an athlete, a scientist and so many more. When I first heard
this, I honestly thought if all of this could be real. But then, Rizal books presented facts and all
these seem to be the truth.

Ambeth Ocampo, now looks into the other side of Rizal. Yes, he was an excellent
student, though one of his classmates was better than him. He was a writer yet Ocampo suggests
that his first poem, Sa Aking Kababata, was written with his inspiration and not by him. He is a
licensed physician, an ophthalmologist; but was not an academic doctor for he was not able to sit
for his final exams leading to a doctorate in Medicine. He was a historian yet can be considered
flawed due to his patriotism, ultimately leading to biased thoughts. He was an athlete yet his
body was so out of proportion and he pushed himself to his maximum threshold. Rizal, may have
been “depicted beyond himself”, out of proportion.

Because of this depiction by the history books, we feel disconnected with Rizal and feels
as if he is a god of some sort who we should emulate. Yet, the truth there is that he is just human.
He had feelings the same way we do. His struggles are probably similar to our struggles, too.
Rizal is “created in our own image and likeness”.
 In the trial of Rizal, it is a common proposal for debates whether he was for or against the
revolution. With the digging up of Ocampo of the files during Rizal’s trial, it is apparent that
Rizal was not against the revolution, he just thinks that it is not the proper time yet since the
Filipinos still lack the proper education for them to triumph against the Spaniards. Yet, with all
the available history, Ocampo shows that Rizal is also shown to be for, against and neutral. He
suggests that probably, Rizal was a fence-sitter. In multiple times, Rizal was used by the
Spaniards and the Americans for the good of their colonies during that time. The former paints
him as a revolutionist while the latter as a pacifist. With all these information about Rizal and his
stand on the revolution, it seems that with all the garnishing and polishing of Rizal’s true image,
we may never know the historical truth.

Rizal, was not perfect, just like any other human being. Indeed, he has flaws. This truth
though, does not change the fact that he is heroic. Still, he is worthy of being called a hero amidst
all the debates and disagreements on opinions and interpretations of the people. This truth shows
us that he rose “above his physical limitations and attempted great deeds.” This is what makes
Rizal our national hero. We can actually relate to him and see ourselves in him. He is a Filipino
and we are as well. It is essential for us to better understand him and in the process, we may
understand ourselves. A most intriguing part of the book is when Ocampo suggests that our
national hero could be homosexual as explained by his dreams and a close relationship with his
mother and sister. This is another facet that needs consideration for if indeed he is, there is more
to Rizal than what meets the eye, he then was able to transcend a very difficult personal struggle.

Lastly, Rizal is shown to be a diehard patriot and nationalist that in writing the history of
the Philippines, there were laps and gaps that he did not fill. He suggested that our syllabary was
lost due to the oppression done by the Spaniards which is contrary to the truth since the
Spaniards have kept some of these file. Rizal is the first Filipino to write our history in our eyes
and not in the eyes of the colonizer. Through his work, he has shown the truth – or most of it –
and reality to all.
Points of Agreement and Disagreement

Of all the facts that Ambeth Ocampo pointed out, what really struck me the most is the
fact that he opened my eyes to why Rizal is our national hero. I have not realized it, until I took
this Rizal course that Rizal was actually just like us. He was also human. The historians and all
those other people coated him with goodness beyond what we could imagine, to the point of
being unbelievable.

As a man with so many flaws, Rizal did not make this as a barrier for him to just sit
around and watch the Filipinos die in the hands of the colonizers. He stepped up and stood out. I
find it true that if Rizal was still alive now, he would have been shot all over again. Perhaps
execution style the modern way? He will just become missing, or be assassinated. But then
again, I thought that maybe before he could be silenced, he would already have done a
significant difference in the way our country is being run right now, making waves, enough
reason for him shot.

As a biologist, I truly admire the fact that Rizal is a naturalist and a person who truly
loves to discover and unfold new things and species. He acts as an inspiration given the fact that
he has discovered and named a number of species after him.

What I find superfluous is the fact that Rizal did not want to be remembered through
anniversaries and such. The moment I read this, I was flushed with a question as to ‘why?’ Many
people I know would put up big tarpaulins with their smiling faces greeting the people welcome!
He is remembered every year and every semester – for students and teachers alike – though that
is not what he hoped for. For me, it is right that he is remembered since he is one of the sole
reasons why I am currently sitting here and making my paper, getting education in a free
country. Without his influence and his movements, I could have been still enslaved by
colonizers. It is beneficial rather than disadvantageous that we have not followed his last will.

On another side of the coin, I kept on thinking during the course of reading on who is the
main culprit for the over-exaggeration on the facts about our national hero. Who has painted him
gold and embellished him with jewels? Was it Bonifacio, Aguinaldo, the historians, our
teachers? Ocampo wrote that, “what remains in our minds, unfortunately, is an idealized image
culled from textbooks which do not do justice to Rizal,” and this is certainly the truth. Whatever
the exaggerated facts should be put right in order to clear misinterpretations. The real Rizal,
masked by perhaps a culture of perfection at the time he was put in a pedestal, needs to be
unmasked. As stated, what makes Rizal a national hero is how we unconsciously see ourselves in
him. If this is not obvious due to sugarcoating, how then can the people who have not taken the
Rizal course truly understand him? Roots before branches. Start from the beginning before
progressing to the next stage. I think there should be a re-organization of thoughts for everyone
and present the reality that I just read. I do not mean to say that Rizal’s previous descriptions are
inaccurate; there is simply the need to see his imperfect human aspect.

Ocampo wrote that, “Rizal’s greatest misfortune is being the national hero of the
Philippines.” Now that’s a pain in the chest. Yes, indeed, for had he not been named a national
hero, his name would be forgotten, his misdeeds unimportant, his acts never questioned, his
priorities would pass unnoticed. For me, Rizal is a gift for the Filipinos and possibly, Rizal
thought the same way towards us. It is a great luck for Rizal to be our national hero since we,
above all the other races in the world understand him. We have gone through many things that he
has also gone through. He had inferiority complex and that is not an uncommon feat these days.
No one can appreciate him more than the Filipinos can. We see ourselves in him and most likely,
he can see himself in our shoes. Truly, Rizal was lucky to be our national hero.

I find it hard to agree or disagree to the fact set out by Ocampo that our national hero may
be homosexual as presented by his dreams and the fact that he did not have any lasting
relationship. It is normal for a person to have an identity crisis and can be proven by the fact that
having too many women in a lifetime is not the norm or the standard of many people. It may
have been an indicator of a crisis. But that doesn’t mean that he could be gay. As popular gay
actors would say… Bakla agad? Sobra naman? Di ba puedeng confused lang muna? Secondly,
his mother is dominant in his life. The presence of a dominant female in a person’s life may
make one effeminate too. Yet he conformed to the society and presented himself as a straight
male. As a Christian, I find it hard to believe that he is homosexual.
 In writing the Philippine history in the eyes of the indios, Rizal was biased and presents
that in the colonization of the Filipinos led to the decline of our own culture. According to the
books read by Ocampo, it is not true. Rizal was too much of a patriot and a nationalist that this
got the best of him over what should be written. And then I said to myself, that even a national
hero with a reputation greater than anyone has these tendencies to lean on what he favors rather
than what the truth favors.

Synthesis, Conclusion and Recommendation

Overall, the book left a great impact on me and showed me who Rizal really is. The most
important thing to note is that I finally found what to say when people ask me why Rizal is our
national hero. Amidst all the debates set by the people who are against him, his works and ideas
are what shines above all those. Yes, we see ourselves in him but it is how he got this far and
how he surpassed his weaknesses and insecurities that make him truly inspirational.

I absolutely believe that Ambeth Ocampo and other historians should write more books
showing the reality that is shut out from most of the Filipinos. More historians should write the
truth and dig out primary sources. After reading, I want to know more and extend my newfound
knowledge about Rizal.