I started taking up literature in high school, and ever since, it has been my most favorite subject. Just like our Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, I believe in ‘the power of the pen’ over armaments.

Rizal was among the ‘freedom writers’ of the 19th century Philippines. His writings awoke the Filipino conscience to stand up against colonial oppression, and until his exile and execution, Rizal’s influence finally ignited the Philippine Revolution.

Such was Rizal’s contribution in giving back freedom to the Filipino people from the Spanish colonial rule. And right now, he continues to inspire us. (Rizal’s life have been documented in several films like ‘Bayaning Third World’ (Third World Hero). His life and works continue to become part of the college curriculum. And the youth, as early as high-school become acquainted with the hero of peaceful means by reading ‘Noli Me Tangere’ (Touch Me Not) and ‘El Filibusterismo’ (The Filibuster). (The two novels now have several English translations and available world-wide in titles like ‘The Social Cancer’ and ‘The Reign of Greed.’)

Image via Wikipedia

But as much as Rizal’s works have become one of the most influential books in Philippine literature, his writings also were a product of inspiration by the time’s most influential classics all throughout the world. In writing the ‘Noli Me Tangere’ (Touch Me Not), Rizal was said to have gotten the (title’s) inspiration from the Bible, and from reading (the theme) about the abuse of slaves in ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin.’

Perhaps if we all read the classics, we might as well be that close to writing our own masterpiece…

Best Sellers: 12 of the World’s Most Influential Classics:

1. The Bible – Holy Book of Roman Catholics (or Christians), considered to be the world’s best selling book of all time.
2. Qur’an(or Koran) – Holy Book of Moslems (or Arabs)
3. ‘Iliad’ and ‘The Odyssey’ – legends and mythology (Greek) classics by Homer
4. Divina Comedia (Divine Comedy) – by Dante Alighieri, about God, heaven, hell, faith, etc. in the Italian perspective
5. Book of the Suns – China’s guide to wisdom and faith, by Confucius
6. Book of the Dead – Egypt’s mythology or theology book
7. Mahabharata - classic literature about the history of India’s faith
8. One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights) – stories about the early Arab or Persian society
9. El Cid Campeador – about Spain’s legendary folk hero, history of Spain, characteristics of the Spanish people
10. Canterbury Tales- by Geoffrey Chaucer, about England’s people and their faith
11. Song of Roland – about the golden age of Christianity in France
12. Uncle Tom’s Cabin- US’ classic novel about slavery, spreading the ideals of freedom and democracy all throughout the world