Emilio Aguinaldo and Rizal Essay Example

and guide their present movement. Rizal also made significant efforts to preserve and promote the cultural advancement of his countrymen. He not only wrote in the Tagalog dialect, now known as Filipino language, but also conducted serious studies to develop and establish its scientific basis. This commitment can be traced back to his childhood, as he expressed in a poem dedicated to his fellow children.

We should desire to enrich our language, similar to how a mother nourishes her young ones. It is widely known that Rizal was not a narrow-minded or intolerant nationalist. He supported preserving and advancing Philippine culture, while also embracing the best parts of other cultures. His incredible personality showcased the wisdom in this approach. As someone from the Philippines, it fills me with joy and pride to remember this.

Rizal, a proud Filipino, possessed numerous exceptional qualities that one cannot help but wish to emulate. According to Ferdinand Blumentritt, an Austrian scholar and close friend of Rizal, he had a sharp intellect, a captivating charm, refined manners, and a noble and kind heart, which made him well-liked wherever he went. Rizal's travels had a profound impact on his character, enriching and improving it. He could confidently assert that new experiences inspire fresh perspectives and provoke admiration for mankind's greatness and compassion for their suffering.

The previous narrow-mindedness transforms into a widespread and brotherly admiration for the world beyond, and immediately stops being a mere repetition of others' beliefs in order to convey one's own thoughts stemming from personal observations and firsthand experiences of other cultures. With great determination and discipline, Rizal diligently nurtured all his innate abilities. Through his relentless

efforts to improve himself, Rizal, by the age of 35, had achieved a level of greatness comparable to the late Dr. Jose P., who was another esteemed Filipino figure.

Laurel was an extraordinary individual who excelled in various fields. He demonstrated his expertise in medicine, particularly in ophthalmology and surgery. Additionally, he impressed others with his linguistic abilities and captivating storytelling as a poet and writer. His contributions to natural science are still highly regarded today in European scientific communities. Apart from science, Laurel's exceptional writing extended to history, political science, sociology, linguistics, art, and philosophy. Moreover, he showcased his artistic talents through paintings, drawings, and sculptures. His proficiency in agricultural engineering was evident in his work in Dapitan while the Spanish colonial government acknowledged him by granting a license as an assessor.

He was highly skilled in both shooting and swordsmanship. Rizal was widely recognized as an exceptional genius, embodying a rare combination of intellectual and practical prowess. Truly, his life was driven by a noble purpose, characterized by unwavering integrity and a dedication to meaningful goals. This holds immense significance not only for present-day Filipinos but also for future generations. Rizal aimed to nurture his own personality and hone his talents and abilities. Above all, he sought to demonstrate and establish the undeniable greatness of the Filipino people.

The text highlights the formation of the "Indios Bravos" society by the individual mentioned. This society consisted of Filipinos residing in Paris who aimed to enhance their intellectual and physical abilities to gain the respect of others. The "Indios Bravos" frequently held events where members would perform their original literary pieces, showcase their skills in

music and other forms of art, and engage in discussions related to the future of their country.

Showing great determination and passion, they actively engaged in physical exercises and focused on mastering the sword and pistol. They became highly skilled in these areas, with Rizal himself teaching Jujitsu, a self-defense art he learned in Japan. Additionally, their goal was to instill confidence in their fellow countrymen as individuals and as a nation. Even at just eighteen years old, Rizal fervently urged the youth of the Philippines to awaken from apathy and quickly unleash their genius through art and science to overcome long-standing barriers hindering the nation's poetic brilliance. Undoubtedly, Rizal's unwavering belief in his countrymen's abilities was well-founded. As evidence of this, two Filipino painters achieved remarkable success at the National Exposition of Fine Arts held in Madrid in 1884 – surpassing entries from Spain and other foreign countries. Juan Luna's powerful painting "Spolarium" won the prestigious gold medal while Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo's unique technique earned him the silver medal for "Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace."

Once again, Marcelo H. del Pilar, a skilled debater in both Tagalog and Spanish, proved himself a fearless advocate through his powerful editorials that earned him respect even from his opponents. Similarly, Antonio Luna, originally a pharmacist, displayed an intense desire to protect his country from degrading abuses under foreign rule, which ultimately led him to pursue a military career and become an exceptional Filipino strategist during the Philippine-American War.

Then, there was also Apolinario Mabini, known as "the sublime paralytic," who was the brains of the Philippine Revolution and dedicated himself to the well-being of his

country and people. His profound intellect, dauntless spirit, and noble character defined him. On the other hand, General Gregorio Del Pilar's heroic defense of Tirad Pass gained recognition from all, including the victorious American forces he valiantly fought against, highlighting his devotion to duty.

Felife Agoncillo skillfully executed his role as the Filipino minister plenipotentiary to the Peace Conference in Washington and Paris. President William McKinley of the U.S. was impressed by their representatives, stating that if there were more Filipinos like them. The list of countless Filipinos who demonstrated Rizal's belief in the abilities of his countrymen due to their cultural heritage is endless. Naturally, Rizal himself stands at the peak of his nation's hall of fame.

Rizal, who advocated for the rights of our people, believed that in order to achieve dignity, gain respect from other nations, and improve one's life, individuals must think and act with honor. He expressed this idea through Father Florentino in El Filibusterismo by stating that we must earn our freedom by deserving it. This can be done by improving ourselves intellectually and upholding justice and goodness to the extent of being willing to die for it. Rizal not only had a strong desire for personal growth but also aimed to serve his fellow countrymen. His linguistic abilities, particularly in Spanish, allowed him to effectively represent the Filipino people in the Philippines and gain support from other nations during their struggle for political liberation.

The life of Rizal in Dapitan is a remarkable example of utilizing one's talents for the betterment of the local community. While in exile, he founded clinics that provided equal treatment to both the

underprivileged and the affluent members. Additionally, he created a school where he taught young students how to earn a livelihood through their hard work and expertise. Furthermore, he constructed his residence using materials sourced from the area.

With the assistance of his students, he created a waterworks system by utilizing local resources such as bamboo poles to transport water to the center of the town. Shells of clams and oysters were used to reinforce the ditches. In addition, he devised a wooden machine that could manufacture bricks, aiming to establish a factory capable of producing 6,000 bricks per day. He also implemented a lighting system that benefitted the entire community. Furthermore, he constructed a relief map of Mindanao in the town plaza. Using native agricultural tools, he cultivated cacao, coffee, and various other fruits.

The person involved in raising different animals such as poultry, pigs, ducks, turkey, and rabbits. He improved the fishing industry in Dapitan by bringing skilled fishermen from Calamba. This led to the availability of fresh fish for both local residents and neighboring towns. He also emphasized the significance of following sanitation and hygiene rules. The community was educated on draining swamps effectively to prevent diseases carried by insects and eliminate mosquitoes and other harmful bugs. Furthermore, he worked towards discouraging superstition and fanaticism.

Rizal's resourcefulness and community-mindedness in Dipolog takes on added significance considering the circumstances. He was a political captive of the Spanish authorities at that time, in the Philippines before the Spanish-American war, when the U.S. was starting to assert itself as a global power. Society and industry were not as advanced then, both globally and locally.

Rizal encouraged

his fellow countrymen to strive for nobility, patriotism, and heroism both in his actions during his life and in his death. His sacrifice at Bagumbayan on December 30, 1896, showed his people that death can be a meaningful tribute to one's homeland. Surprisingly, his execution brought fulfillment to his life's work. His own words, filled with a sense of triumph, were "Ensueno de mi Vida, mi ardiente vivo anhelo, Salud! e grita el alma que pronto va a partir; Salud! ah, que es hermoso caer por darte vuelo, Morir por darte Vida, morir balo tu Cielo Yen tu encantada tierra la eternidad dormer!" It appears as if Rizal's thoughts align with Adlai Stevenson's concept of patriotism that prioritizes the country over oneself and is not merely a fleeting burst of emotion but a lifelong commitment.

The task of saying easy words may be simple, but it is a formidable one. It is often easier to fight for principles than to embody them. The fusillade that ended Rizal's life also called upon his countrymen to unite as a nation, live with dignity and responsibility, be politically conscious and mature, and have courage and devotion to the common good. It is crucial to recognize the emergence and transformation of the national spirit and character of the Filipino people. Therefore, Cecilio Apostol's words resonate: "Do not mourn from the tomb in mystery, the momentary triumph of the Spaniard, for if a bullet destroyed your mind, your idea instead destroyed an empire." Rizal understood that only a concerted effort on a national scale could bring lasting improvement to the condition of the Filipino people. Above all, solidarity was essential

- a unity of sentiments and purposes that would mobilize people into action and motivate them to strive for progress and advancement as a nation.