Ambeth Ocampo’s Rizal Articles
TITLE SUMMARY
1. To know Rizal, read Rizal It explains that the key to understand and
know Jose Rizal, is to do one’s part of
reading published books and other materials
about him that are made accessible to each
rather than waiting for such information to
come directly to you.
2. Unhappy wife of Jose Rizal This article is about Josephine Bracken, to
whom Jose Rizal’s affection lies, as well as
the debatable claim if she was to be
considered as the National Hero’s wife or
not.
3. Things you won’t ever know The article evolves around the gaps of what
about Rizal we know about Jose Rizal and what could
have been the complete truth about him
because there is a possibility that the
missing pieces, that we knew nothing about,
could affect or alter how we perceive him as
of now.
4. Hero’s last Christmas in 1896 far It presents how Jose Rizal’s last Christmas
from merry was far from being joyful as he waited for
his execution in Dapitan in the year 1896
and the previous Christmas celebrations he
spent happily as mentioned in the article.
5. Rizal from cradle to grave This article talks about how prominent and
great Jose Rizal’s influence was and how
greater recognition and value was given to
him compared to other heroes which can be
seen from cradle to grave on several
establishments named after him.
The Article I like Best
Among the five articles I have read, I find the article entitled, “Things you won’t ever
know about Jose Rizal”, more interesting because it motivates us to think beyond what was
given to us. It encourages us to look on the bigger picture of what the complete truth really
is. A new door of curiosity had been opened since it allows us to consider the fact that there
are still gaps and missing pieces that were not yet filled until now. We have no knowledge
of the content of the papers Jose Rizal stuffed in his pocket and shoes before his execution
as mentioned by Ambeth Ocampo. Upon reading all related reading materials about him,
does that guarantee that I have completely understand and know him? I have then realized
that even if several conferences have been conducted to connect the dots and discover the
truth about Jose Rizal, it is not absolute for there can be several truths about him that we
may never know. It brings new light of possibility that there are still a lot to discover about
him. This article does not encourage us not to believe in facts presented about our hero but
to never be satisfied with the knowledge we have and to go beyond such information. It will
enable us to become more interested with our national hero which will further allow us to
deeply understand him. Moreover, it challenges us, youth, to divert our interest to him and
see what more can we discover.
Questions:
1. What could have been the most probable content of the papers stuffed in his pocket and
shoes that he wanted his family to read? Why would he put such papers in his pocket and
shoes when, in fact, he already gave a letter to his sister and family to read which he hid
in a stove?
2. How come that the works of Carlos Quirino entitled “Great Malayan” and Rafael Palma,
“Biografia de Rizal” were still considered reliable even after knowing the fact that the
letters of Beckett and Jacoby, as sources of such publications, were non-existent?
3. Why were some experts deny the marriage of Jose Rizal and Josephine Bracken when
evidences were already presented from both sides to confirm their marriage?
