RESEARCH PAPER 1

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of GE-LWR

Submitted by:
BRANZUELA, James Darel M.
DUHAYLUNGSOD, Evannah June L.
FERNANDEZ, Gabriel Jenthre P.
SUMARAGO, Eric
(BSChE – 2 MWF 11:30 AM. – 12:30 PM.)

Submitted to:
Mr. Roquezon Rubia
Instructor

March 20, 2020

A. Presentation of Interview Data and Findings
Table 1. Findings from the Interviewees.
Questions College Graduate Grade School Graduate
1. Have you read any of Have read. Have not read but have heard
Rizal’s novels? about Rizal being the author
of Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo
2. What do you know Views his works as reactive Known nothing about his
about his novels? in nature. They were written novels. Respondent was not
as a response to show the into reading.
injustices in the political,
economic, and religious sects
during his time, shows
nationalism yet never
showed concrete solutions to
such problems.

3. What do you think is He is not anti-Spain but at the Rizal is our national hero
the relationship of Rizal same time, he admits that the because he fought for our
to the Philippines as a Philippines is not ready for identity as Filipinos.
nation? self-rule. He wants to
institute change but at the
same time, hesitant to work
with the Filipinos.
A great example of a patriot
and a nationalist. He
promotes peace over
violence.

4. What do you think is Basis of Inspiration of people Has no idea about the content
the relationship of to take arms to fight for of Rizal’s writings
Rizal’s writings to freedom and was supposed to
nationalism? be an eye opener for those in
power.
5. What is your personal Opinion is biased dependent Describes Rizal as a Hero
opinion of Rizal? on authors studying Rizal’s who brought us freedom from
life such as Zaide, who has the sufferings experienced
godlike view of Rizal, and caused by the Spaniards.
Ambeth Ocampo, who views
him as mere mortal.
He stated that he was not
against Rizal being the
National hero now was he
compelled to passionately
defend him to be so.
B. Interpretation of Data

B1. “Imagine” the Nation

Comprehending the answers of the interviewees about their knowledge and their

perception of Rizal showed how easy history can be passed on to later generations,

although some views may be deviated from the true history. Despite this deviations, these

people have been able to imagine the nation as it was before. They understand, although

not perfectly, the nation seen in Rizal’s works which pushed him to do what he have to be

done in the past. They were able to grasp the longing of the whole nation for liberty, to be

freed from the struggles and abuses of the Spanish colonizers. Most of them understand

the concept of nationalism sparked by the Heroes that rid the Philippines for independence

thus instilling in their minds the concept of a whole community continuously moving

forward even if they haven’t met or know the members of such community.

B2. Nationalistic View of Rizal, although Varied Conceptions of Him

Rizal according to the interviewees was a patriot and nationalist although there is

quite a distinction between both terms. According to Robert Longley, nationalism is based

on a belief that one’s country is superior to all others while feelings of patriotism are based

on the positive values the country embraces—like freedom, justice, and equality. They

have varied conceptions of Rizal depending on who’s telling the story of his life. However,

the common denominator of the respondents’ responses is that Jose Rizal is Philippine’s

national hero. It can be deduced that they have a nationalistic view of Rizal. They see him

as someone who ignited reforms that aims for the unity of Filipino people through his
literary works. They know that he loves the Philippines and that he urges his countrymen

to fight for its freedom, although some may say that a revolt was never the intention of

Rizal. In these literary works, the injustices happening in the Philippines during the Spanish

rule are shown with his principles as the backbone influencing the idea to go against the

colonizers.

B3. Paradoxes of Having Studied and/ or Not Studied Rizal

One paradox that can be generated from the interview is that those who were able

to finish the Rizal course knows the ideals behind his works yet the same abuses and

corruption are present even until today in the Philippine society. The only difference is that

the abuses and corruption are not cause by colonizers but by the Filipino people themselves,

whether in power or not. This defeats the purpose of the constant effort of Rizal and other

heroes to eliminate such abuses, and the end goal of having studied the course in order to

instill patriotism and nationalism in each Filipinos values.

Another paradox is that Rizal’s image is encountered day to day from prints on

coins and matches, and even sculptures in schools, yet for those who have not studied Rizal,

they don’t actually know who he is and even to how these images came to be. It is true that

they acknowledge him as a hero yet fail to see behind his heroic image and really appreciate

his importance and contributions to the country.

B4. RA 1425: Extent to Foster Nationalism

Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law, mandates all educational

institutions in the Philippines to offer courses about José Rizal. This law was created to

increase the sense of nationalism and patriotism to the extent of making Filipinos acquire
the essential truth of the happenings during the Spanish Colonization. Based on the answers

gathered from the interviews, it is obvious that there is a significant difference between the

knowledge about Jose Rizal and his works of those who have finished the Rizal course and

of those who have not.

Although Rizal is encountered on a normal day to day basis such as an image of

him printed on coins, matches and even sculptures in schools, many were still not able to

grasp how all of these things came to be. However, we cannot directly relate these results

to nationalism. The study of Rizal’s works can provide ideas on how to defend and fight

for the country but loving one’s country is a different matter. Nationalism is sustained by

one’s love for the country and this can only be obtained through involvement and self-

influence, thus implying the need for sensitivity not only to happenings in the Philippine

nation but also of other nations related to it.