SIR World Languages Investigation Abstract
THE FIRST FILIPINO: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. JOSE RIZAL
Presenter:
Bernadette Contreras, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; adette14@imsa.edu
Advisors:
Socorro Cintron, Foreign Language, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; cintron@imsa.edu; 630-907-5901
Jose Palos, Foreign Language, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; jpalos@imsa.edu; 630-907-5085
Abstract:
Within the lines and rhymes of his poems lies the history of a man and a nation. Dr. Jose Rizal proved the pen is truly mightier than the sword. He lived during a time when the Philippines was held under Spanish rule, and he stirred patriotism and courage in the hearts of many native Filipinos. Because of his controversial poems and novels, he was accused of inciting a revolution, and was later executed for such allegations. A man of many talents, (a physician, a poet, and a linguist, among other things), he was to become the martyr and national hero of the Filipino people. His life and legacy tell the tale of a country in turmoil, a persecuted people, and the lessons and observations of a genius. A brief historical overview, an explication of his poetry, and a detailed biography will be presented in Spanish.