Rizal: Makabayan at Martir

by Austin Coates, Nilo S. Ocampo (Translator)

José Rizal (1861-1896), makata at makabayang Pilipino, exakt kontemporari ni Tagore at tagapanguna kay Gandhi, namatay sa mga punglo ng firing squad na Espanyol, sa gulang na 35. Ang kanyang mga sinulat ang nagsilbing inspirasyon ng Himagsikang Pilipino ng 1896-98, ang pinakaunang pag-aalsang pambansa laban sa kapangyarihang kolonyal sa Asya. Subalit natabingan si Rizal nang nalipat ang pangunahing larangan ng pakikibaka para sa kasarinlan sa Asya mula sa Pilipinas tungong India. Sa kanyang sariling bansa patuloy siyang idinadambana bilang pambansang bayani, at siyang may mas malawak na impluwensiya sa kanyang bansa kaysa sinupaman."

Inilalarawan ng pilosoper na Espanyol na si Unamuno si Rizal bilang Kristong Tagalog; ang kanyang buhay, bagama't inilaan sa kanyang bayan, ay may universal na kaangkupan. Sa Asya, kahilera niya sina Sun Yat-sen, Gandhi at Tagore bilang tagapagbago ng pag-iisip ng isang kontinent. Ngunit bilang isang Katoliko sa panahon nina Darwin at Frazer umiigpaw siya sa kapwa bansa at kontinent. Sa pagtutugma ng pananampalatayang relihiyoso at kaalamang sayantifik na ipinamamalas ng kanyang buhay, kinakatawan niya sa Asya kung ano ang kinakatawan nina Renan at Teilhard de Chardin sa Kanluran, ang pagkakaiba namatay si Rizal dahil sa kanyang pinaniniwalaan, pakana ng mga prayleng misyonerong Espanyol na di umaagapay sa mga pagbabago sa Katolisismo sa Europe."

Unang nailathala noong 1968, muli-muling nailabas sa Oxford in Asia Paperbacks at iniisyu ngayon sa salin sa wikang Filipino ng Limbagan ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, ibinabalik ng talambuhay na ito si Rizal sa karapat-dapat na luklukan niya bilang isa sa mga pinakamarangal na katauhang nailuwal ng Asya.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography

459 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Karla Cristobal · Rating 3 out of 5]

While reading this for a mandatory Rizal course, I felt conflicted because Coates is a captivating writer--and undeniably so. I have to emphasize that the Rizal course is mandatory because I am thoroughly enjoying the way the Professor is handling it. And, I have to emphasize that this Coates book is a required text for the course, as well.
However, the conflicting emotions were there because Coates has this odd predestination argument which colors the whole narrative. Reading the book made me feel uncomfortable. Coates has this set of stock characteristics for every nationality, and this includes the Filipino, as well. I remember a part of his book, where he stressed the mysticism and the mystery of the Orient. As a Filipino, it made me narrow my eyes in disapproval. So this is what exoticism looks like.
I really do appreciate how he wrote. I really do appreciate how he used different sources to magnify and support his claims. Working on that framework, the book is a 3.5 (which Goodreads doesn't have, apparently). The book made me forget that this was one of the main texts for an exam.
I can't let the exoticized view of the Oriental and the Filipino go, though. And I can't let the predestination argument go, as well.

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

nilo ocampo’s translation was a nightmare to read

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novelistic in style at times. Happy I’ve finally gotten to read a whole narrative about one of my most admired revolutionary historical figures.

I’m recognizing now how Rizal was very much a reformist, who only came around to armed revolution at the very end of his career. Nevertheless, his pivotal role in arousing the consciousness of a nation is truly inspirational.

I’m kind of floored by how much work any biographer does to chronicle a person’s life, particularly those in who lived in previous centuries.

Admittedly, I am always wary of white folks writing about non-white histories, and I can’t speak critically about the balance of Austin Coates’ lens, but from personal feel, I didn’t get the sense of a overglorification of Rizal nor an overly white, eurocentric slant.

Excited to delve more into Andres Bonifacio, and many of the other revolutionary, radical figures in Philippine history.

[Tisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The brave recognize the brave.”

[Jay Dauz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book with all my heart. Rizal's biography was remarkable and in-depth. A treasure to find this at my university's library :)

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far, the best Rizal bio that I've ever read. Austin Coates handled historical facts with care and rendered historical analysis without the use of colored lenses (as opposed to the leftist leanings of Leon Ma. Guerrero in The First Filipino and the colonial bias of the Zaides towards their American sponsors). After reading this book, you'll never look at Rizal the same way again. This time the veneration comes with understanding!

Note to self: Recommended text in Philippine Institutions 100 (PI 100) or the Life and Works of Jose Rizal

[Jason Corminal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austin CoatesRizal: Makabayan at Martir

[Laura Del Rosario · Rating 5 out of 5]

This by far is the best biographical account on Rizal’s life and legacy. As a Filipino, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to have read this in my lifetime.

[Kate Heather Faye Buenaventura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coates is a much, much better reference than the Zaides. There's a translated version of this, and I hope high schools would use it instead of the "politicized" one we were given way back then.

[Stephen Vinas]

Okay