Angelica P.

Cano
BSAP/CAS
2012-40545
PI 10 U-4R
Jose Rizal: A Man of Science
Jose Rizal was a man of many faces: a patriot, an accomplished writer, the face of the Spanish
revolution. He was a familiar figure; we all grew up with him jingling in our pockets; he was the one to
thank for the December 30 holiday. He is well-known for his radical thinking and his major novels, Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. His scientific achievements, in comparison, are less known to the
Filipinos. His scientific inclinations appeal to me because I have always been fascinated with the natural
sciences.
He is a licensed physician, with the intention of giving medical attention to poor citizens who
does not have the means and resources to afford health care [1]. Even when he was exiled in Dapitan, he
continued his medical practice with patients coming from all over the Philippines and other neighboring
Asian cities [1]. With his knowledge in agriculture, he also bought agricultural lands and practiced
scientific and systematic farming [1]. During his exile, he even opened up a small school catering to the
local kids who cannot afford to go to bigger establishments.
While in Dapitan, he collaborated with European researchers specializing in botany, zoology and
entomology. After his execution, one of Germanys well-known Professors of the time said that Rizals
death is a murder of the most prominent scientist that Spain possessed [2]. Like many other great minds
in history (Socrates, Galileo, Kepler), Rizal was a victim of the worlds inability to accept new theories
and radical ideas [2]. He died at 35, but his life has had more highlights, twists, and color than an average
bloke with a life expectancy of 75.
Rizal was drawn to study the sciences because of its objectivity, stability and consistency. Unlike
the flawed, cruel and blind system of the Spanish administration [3]. He was not only a medical doctor, he
was also an expert in anthropology, agriculture and farming, zoology, ophthalmology and other fields. It
is known that a few animal species were even named after him. He had multiple degrees in many fields as
well [3]. He was truly a brilliant man. I dont know why people (some people) have trouble accepting him
as a National Hero. Western countries have a habit of proclaiming military generals/soldiers as their
National heroes. I do not know why we would have to conform to this tradition. It is such a patriarchic
concept, to prove your valor with your skill to kill/ threaten other life forms. To incite courage through
mere words, to alleviate pains of the mind and body I think these traits are far more important.
I honestly did not care if he was branded a traitor by some historians (for not directly (militant
action) supporting the revolution) or an insufferable romanticist (for his string of lovers, mistresses). No,
what mattered, or at least appealed, to me is his love for learning and sharing his wisdom. He was not a
stingy man. He gave and when he gave, he gave it all. He had an intense love for life, and that is
incredibly impressive. Most of us do not even bother to think about what we really want to achieve, what
we so desperately want. He did not lack courage, and it is such a pity that he died before the Filipinos
were free from the villains of that era. Maybe the world and the society were just not ready for Rizals
brilliance in the 1900s.
References
[1]
[2]
[3]

De Lumen, B. (2006, July 20). Rizal, the scientist. Retrieved September 1, 2015, from
http://www.philstar.com/science-and-technology/348367/rizal-scientist
Harrison, F. (1998, March 20). Rizal as a Patriot, Author, and Scientist. Retrieved September 1, 2015, from
https://www.univie.ac.at/ksa/apsis/aufi/rizal/r-scient.htm
Taule, A. (2004, December 4). Rizal: A patriot who peered his world and time through science. Retrieved
September 1, 2015, from https://sntpost.stii.dost.gov.ph/frames/Dec04/pg56 DrJoseRizal.htm