This poem was written by my friend during our Rizal class. For most of the meetings, we had reporters talk about the many faces of the life of Dr. Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal y Alonso Realonda. I was one of them and it just flew past me. It's not that I hate the national hero. I hate the fact that after how many years (elemntary and high school), his life is still pushed down our throats. We know he was a brilliant guy and paved the way for the Philippines to be a free country. We already have that thought stuck in our brains. What more do you want?

On the first meeting, the teacher said that we are taught Rizal so we could develop our nationality, nationalism and patriotism. Truth be told, not one of the three heightened in me. Worse, I think my dislike for Rizal grew. All the information were rammed in our brain in such a short time. That's all just memorization. There's no understanding or getting to know the topic deeper. Through much of the reports, my classmates and I were muttering to let the guy die already so we don't have to have a lot of hand outs. I wish!

Me and my thoughts again. At least, I'm not the only one who thinks like this. 

I COULD NEVER HATE JOSE

I could never hate Jose
For writing the Noli and Fili.
I could never hate Jose
because he died for our country.

I could never hate Jose
Though he was charged of heresy.
I could never hate Jose
For accepting death freely.

But I could hate him forever
For dying without knowing who was "Jose".