Rizal as an Atenean

by Mr. Nico Paolo P. Arguelles
CLE Subject Area

I am an Atenean. Rizal is an Atenean.

I often wonder how Rizal would be like if he were alive today. Imagine seeing our national hero, in his teenage years, walking along EDSA, buying snacks at the cafeteria, reciting diligently in class, charming young ladies in soirees, watching UAAP games and pumping his fist while singing our alma mater hymn. I’d say it would be pretty interesting. Would he be similar to the Ateneans of today or would he be radically different? Where would he spend his lunch and recess breaks? These eventually lead me to the question: what does it mean to share the same school with Jose Rizal, our National Hero?

All Ateneans, no matter how far apart their generations may be, know how to overcome adversity. We learn this through the many trials we face as students of the high school: everyday quizzes, gut-wrenching long tests, toxic project deadlines, and the hardest periodical examinations in the whole world! Well, maybe not. But you get the point. Life in high school is hard but we get through it, and rightfully so, for in these many trials and challenges we become prepared for tougher and rougher experiences after high school. We are competent and committed. So was Jose Rizal.

Rizal’s superior intellect allowed him to study in the best schools. He graduated at the age of sixteen with the highest honors and received his medical degree at the age of 23. So how was Rizal like inside the classroom? He would probably have been the person everybody liked. He took his studies very seriously. He was smart and diligent but was nice enough to help his fellow classmates with their lessons.

*short dialogue*

Teacher: Class can anyone tell me who the perfect exemplar of true freedom is? Pepe: Sir, Jesus Christ! Teacher: Very good, Jose! You get plus one!

All Ateneans, no matter how far apart their generations may be, know how to pray. Prayer and spirituality are infused at the very core of our Jesuit education. We come together as a community to celebrate Mass. We attend various retreats and recollections through the years. It might not be apparent, but I know all of us constantly seek God’s help and guidance. We have Christ-centered consciences. So did Rizal.

His beloved mother, Teodora, introduced faith early in his life. She was very religious and was responsible for teaching Rizal the virtue of prayer. It is no surprise that Rizal was sent to Ateneo. His parents did not doubt the spirituality of Jesuit education. Despite having high grades, he knew that complacency was not an option. He studied hard because he knew it was the right thing to do. I can almost see Rizal leading meaningful prayers in class and sculpting his statuette of the Sacred Heart.

All Ateneans, no matter how far apart their generations may be, know of compassion. Even before TD was founded, Ateneans went on outreach programs to help people in need. Today we see the many charities our school takes part in. Through CSIP we realize the current state of our Filipino brothers and sisters outside the school. Through Tulong-Dunong, we get a chance to actually do something about it and make a change in people’s lives. We are compassionate. So was Rizal.

There is no question of Rizal’s willingness to serve the Filipino people. Even in high school he was already thinking of ways to help alleviate the Filipino people of suffering. He grew up seeing the many injustices of the Spaniards towards the “indios” of his time. In class, Rizal would probably have been a strong advocate of the outcasts — a champion of the bullied, if you will — someone who was willing to stand up for his abused classmates. Rizal is an Atenean.

We are Ateneans. As he was a man of the 5C’s, so are we. As he had the capacity to spark change in the minds and hearts of the Filipino people, so do we. What does it mean to share the same school with our national hero? We are all educated to make a difference – a transforming difference – just as he did. We can reach out to the people nobody wants to fight for and make a difference that will last. We are no different from Rizal, not one single bit, for we are all heroes in our own right.

Let us pray.

Dear Lord, We thank you for a new day. Thank You for the gift of our Ateneo education. Grant us the grace to become men and women of the 5 Cs. Allow us to become a positive transforming difference wherever we go; to overcome all the challenges in our way and to become the true heroes you meant us to be.

Amen.