Anne Princess F.

Wong

BSSW III

March 19, 2022

Rizal Evaluation 3

1. Why is there a need for a leader?

Leaders are required because they perform various responsibilities that are critical to an
organization's success. For example, without the patriotic leadership of Dr. Jose Rizal, the
Philippines would not have gained independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. Rizal's writings
instilled nationalism in his countrymen, which led to a popular revolution years later. The
conditions and circumstances that would shape Rizal's tenure in the Philippines posed significant
obstacles to the formation of a leader. The counterattack was as powerful, forming Jose Rizal
into a determined national leader. More importantly, it is the aspect of leadership that
distinguishes one leader from another. The values and attitudes that motivate people to act, the
goals they set, the amount of work they put in, the methods they employ, and the perseverance
they exhibit distinguish one leader from the rest. That is why there is a need for a leader.

2. Do you agree with Rizal’s opinion that after God the mother is everything to a man? Why?
Yes, I completely agree. Mothers played a subtle but vital role in our lives as they carried
out their mission of giving and loving us. Rizal's mother, Doña Teodora Alonso, instilled the value
of knowledge in Rizal's young mind since herself was highly educated. Just like Rizal's mother
and everyone else's, they were the ones who were with us from the day we were born and
taught us. Mothers are everything after God because they sacrificed their lives for us while we
were in their wombs, and they are the ones who mainly took care of us and molded us into who
we are now. Mother's love is incomparable since they are always eager to accept us, no matter
who we are or what we've done.

3. Why is light the most wonderful thing in creation?

I would like to refer to a quote from Crisostomo Ibarra in Noli Me tangere . He said to
Elias “without light, there is no road”. the meaning could be read in various meanings. First,
without light we cannot literally construct a road. We can not create a path because first of all,
we can not even see where should it be placed. Another meaning, if we say there is already a
road, we are unable to walk through that as we can not see a brick without light. Lastly, light and
road coexist together. All of these meanings point out that light is not there to guide us. The
road or the path that our destiny is walking through is the guide. Light is just the equipment for
us to see that guide.
4. Why is an act of injustice an eye-opener?
An act of injustice is an eye-opener because the moment we realize we are being
betrayed or feel something is biased, we recognize and discover the mistakes. If, for example,
the leader is ineffective and corrupt, it acts as a wakeup call for us to choose more appropriate
leaders in the future. We now know that he/she has committed an act of injustice that has
affected our lives. There is something we can learn from that act of injustice. Just like Rizal's
works and novels, and Andres Bonifacio's Katipunan, acted as eye-openers to the reality of
Philippine society and fueled the revolution.

5. Why did Rizal pose a challenge to the Filipino students?

Rizal’s braveness to correct those who are incorrect and the way he pose threat to those
who are threats are the things every Filipino students hardly can do. Filipino children were/ are
taught not to interrupt adults’ ideas. It is kind of disrespectful if you correct adults. However,
Rizal had enough of these unsystematic ideals. He did what he think was right. Rizal not only
corrected adults, but he wished to correct the system himself by opening the eyes of others.
These things might be challenging for students today as they have to prove themselves worthy
to alter the system, just how Rizal did.

6. Explain why education is significant in the preparation for leadership.

There are two factors of education that contributes for the preparation for leadership.
The credentials and the understanding. Credentials is the most part people, especially Filipinos,
will start believing you. If you are a well-educated person, most of the individuals will follow you
as you have the education and more understanding about reality. People will say “This leader
can guide us because he\she knows what to do, he\she has the idea what to do, and he\she
knows what these doings will achieve”. On the other hand, education give us better
understanding which the leader must have. Credentials will be nothing if you can not put it in
the act. Actions still speak louder than words. If you understand every scenario, problem, chaos,
etc., it contributes to your fitness to be a leader.

7. What is the meaning of intellectual leadership? How did Rizal show his intellectual leadership?
Intellectual leadership is the way of a leader to create a vision of the future, through
critical analysis and strategic perspective. The chapter states that Rizal never forgot his high
value of honor. He remained in good conduct and upright behaviour. He was never blinded of
the future he envision and he did not try things that will change his ideals or even the way he
will be acquiring these. He remained tough seeing the his destiny is about to reach its end. He
knew that his beloved country will open its eyes together with him until his very end.

8. Why do you think Rizal’s leadership was unique?

Rizal’s leadership was unique as he was not involved in the act his followers will do. He
was not a planter, but he was a leader of the planters. He created a path where everyone may
 or may not follow and do whatever must do. He did not act as a guide, but he act as the light
that showed the ending that every Filipinos would want. He lead everyone with a pen and he did
not even have to be in the country, but due to his love for the country he insisted to went home.
He was very humble and martyr that he did not need to be in the spotlight. As long as he will see
his land free, that is everything for him.

9. Is humility related to leadership? Cite an example if it has any relation to leadership.

Humility may or not relate to a fine leadership. Humbleness may be fine if you want
people will respect you, but, I think, pride can be a huge factor too. Rizal was a humble hero, he
remained tough, upright, and respectful to his enemies. He did not act bossy to its people
because he did not even tell Filipinos what they will do. This is why Filipinos respect Rizal.
However, we should consider the role of pride in leadership. That pride must not be towards the
level of arrogance, but on the level of deep satisfaction. Pride in what you have accomplished
will support self-image and confidence, not only for you, but for the people who follows you.
Your pride may act as a motivation for the followers and may initiate their innate desire to
accomplish what you have accomplish. This is the reason why humility is not fully connected to
leadership, it will depend to the leader what he or she will be relating to it.

10. Explain why the organization of La Liga Filipina showed Rizal’s practical leadership.
La liga Filipina is an association aimed to unite the people in the archipelago into a
compact body. This was a huge challenge despite the technology and the quality of
communication that time. How can you unite everyone with just a pen, paper, and a physical
body? However, despite that obstacles, Rizal was able to create the organization and lead them.
In fact, it was that time that he was condemned by the aristocrats, but he refuse to coward and
fearlessly come back to the Philippines. That is what a practical leader is.

11. Give your opinion on the possible effects of the activities of La Liga Filipina were it allowed to
function without any government interference.
I think a proper meeting and negotiations would happen if La Liga Filipina was
successful. We consider the fact that La liga Filipina will grow quickly big as its mission was
dedicated to the Filipinos. If there was a complete agreement of Spain and the organization, it is
possible that we will continue to be a country of Spain. If there will be no problems and reforms
were successful, there is no need for revolution, thus Philippines will remain on the hands of
Spain.

12. Was Blumentritt’s prediction on the triumph of Rizal’s leadership justified? Why?
Blumentritt’s prediction of the immortal commemoration of Rizal’s leadership was
justified. One reason is that his act of leadership was completely unique. He did not initiate the
revolution, but his desires did. Despite being friendly and respectful to Spain, he was executed.
However, with that he never changed his personality and character. It became a nightmare for
 the colonizers that time. They thought the the physical body of Rizal was needed to be killed in
orther to terrify his people, and they were wrong. They should have killed him when he was a
child, when his eyes were not opened yet. His body may be mortal, but his abolition and vision
never perished.

13. Give your own estimate on the merit of Rizal’s leadership.

The freedom that the revolution gifted us is the treasure everyone should treasure. Due
to Rizal’s fearless leadership we can accommodate the rights of the true free country. He may
not been in the revolution fighting and became glorious, but his vision is in every revolutionist’s
heart. Maybe his life was a destined sacrifice, but what was the result? It is the land we are
settling on. A land where everyone can roll by desire, not by death. A land where everyone can
work on, not work for. A land where everyone can enjoy the breeze, not fear for it. That’s what
Rizal leadership gave us. A true freedom.