Jose Rizal:

The Making of A Hero

Presented by:

Arnel O. Rivera

Objectives:
Discuss the common misconceptions about Jose Rizal. Prove that Rizal is worthy to be the National Hero.

Essential Questions:
Was Rizal an Americanmade hero? Was Rizal against the revolution for Philippine independence? Is Rizal worthy to be chosen as our national hero?

The Rizal that we know ..

A literary genius An illustrious doctor An effective teacher A playboy A loving son An observant traveler A martyr

What the youth know about Rizal

From a discussion thread entitled Sino ba si Rizal sa inyo?,1 here are samples how the youth of today view Rizal.
flimmeryrose741(Jul 16, 2006): Bakit nga ba si Rizal ang hero natin? Hindi lang naman siya yung matalino that time, diba? He did publish some books para maging open-minded ang mga pinoy, pero yan din naman ang ginawa ng iba ha? Why not Bonifacio? He died to save us xxx

What the youth know about Rizal

Keener (Jul 16, 2006): If theres something that I learned from my Rizal class now in college, it is that Rizal NEVER asked for freedom from the Spaniards. He was asking for ASSIMILATION. He wanted the Philippines to be a PROVINCE OF SPAIN, NOT establish an independent state. flimmeryrose741(Jul 16, 2006): oh.. so that means..ayaw niya pala maging free ang Philippines? So gusto niya pala na maging parte ng Spain ang Philippines? What a hypocrite! xxx Bonifacio should be the hero Rizal is a jerk.,

What the youth know about Rizal

Rev4maite (Jul 18, 2006): ^^correct hindi dpat c Rizal ang pambansang bayani dahil 1.) Babaero 2.) Did he really fought for Philippine freedom 3.) As far as I know, ang gusto lang niya ay maging pantay ang filipino sa mga spanish, what if mahirap c Rizal at nde nakapag-aral? Will he still be the National Hero? I guess not Kensamor (Jul 26, 2006): Sabi ng teacher ko dati, naging national hero si Rizal dahil sa mga Kano. Medyo malabo nga sa akin kung ano nga ba talaga ang nagawa niya para sa Pinas. xxx

What the youth know about Rizal

Greenlaser (Nov. 22, 2006): Para yatang hindi maka-relate ang maraming Pilipino kay Jose Rizal. Kaya siguro maraming nagtatanong kung sino talaga siya.
(1http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/arch

ive/index.php/t-247161.html. Cited in Balsomo,2009)

Common misconceptions about Jose Rizal

Rizal became the national hero because of the Americans. Rizal never supported the independence movement of the Philippines. Andres Bonifacio should be the national hero not Rizal.

Rizal is an American-made Hero

Some Filipinos believe that the Americans, particularly William H. Taft was responsible for the veneration of Rizal as the national hero. It was done allegedly in the following manner:
.and now gentlemen, you must have a national hero. These were supposedly to be the words addressed by Governor William Taft to xxx the Filipino members of the Philippine Commission. xxx the final choice was Rizal. And so history was made. (Ocampo in Zaide, 1999)

Rizal is an American-made Hero

However, it should be noted that the Revolutionary Government gave tribute to Rizal to show their appreciation for his contributions to the country. In his opening address at the Congress assembled at Malolos, Bulacan on Sept. 15, 1898, President Aguinaldo said:
Illustrious spirits of RIZAL, Lopez Jaena, of Marcelo del Pilar! xxx Arise a moment from your graves! (Ibid.)

Rizal is an American-made Hero

Then on December 20, 1898 at the revolutionary capital at Malolos, President Aguinaldo issued the first official proclamation making December 30 of the year as Rizal Day. (Ibid.) Thus, Rizal was proclaimed a National Hero by the First Philippine Republic six years before the alleged proclamation of Taft.

Rizal never supported the independence movement of the Philippines

According to Renato Constantino in his work Veneration Without Understanding, Rizal did not deserve to be the Philippiness national hero.
In the histories of many nations, the national revolution represents a peak of achievement to which the minds of man return time and again in reverence and for a renewal of faith in freedom. xxx therefore, that almost always the leader of that revolution becomes the principal hero of his people. xxx In our case, our national hero was not the leader of our Revolution. In fact, he repudiated that Revolution.

Rizal never supported the independence movement of the Philippines

The words of Mr. Constantino is an understatement (emphasis mine). Pio Valenzuelas Memoirs of the KKK and the Philippine Revolution, presents the radical and revolutionary concepts of Rizal thus disaproving the view that he is against the revolution. Valenzuela recounts the private meeting with Rizal in Dapitan on June 21, 1896:

Rizal never supported the independence movement of the Philippines

After his introduction about the secret organization, I discussed with Rizal the resolutions of the Katipunan. Rizal did not oppose the resolutions. In fact, he approved these resolutions and even suggested that they be complied with as soon as possible.

However, when Valenzuela told Rizal that the revolution will break out even without having arms, Rizal opposes this resolution stating that the Spaniards will annihilate the Filipinos. (Valenzuela in De la Cruz, 2008)

Rizal never supported the independence movement of the Philippines

Rizal opposed the immediate start of the revolution, not the movement itself. To help the Katipunan, he advised that they must first have sufficient arms and to invite rich and influential persons to join the secret organization. (Ibid.)

Rizal never supported the independence movement of the Philippines

Further confirmation of Rizals support for the Philippine revolution can be traced in the second stanza of his poem Mi Ultimo Adios.
On the field of battle, mid the frenzy of fight, Others have given their lives, without doubt or heed; The place matters not ---- cypress or laurel or liliy white; Scaffold or open plain, combat or martyrdoms plight, Tis ever the same, to serve home and countrys need

Rizal never supported the independence movement of the Philippines In this part of his poem, Rizal is encouraging the Filipinos who are suffering for the country to fight. He implies that dying in the battlefield, being executed as a martyr and getting wounded in combat is equally honorable.

Andres Bonifacio, not Rizal, should be the national hero

Foremost national heroes of other countries are soldier-generals, like George Washington of the US. Andres Bonifacio did lead the Filipinos in the armed struggle for Philippine independence. Then why did we not follow the examples of other nations in selecting a military leader for the national hero.

Andres Bonifacio, not Rizal, should be the national hero

Rafael Palma has very well stated the case of Rizal versus Bonifacio in these words: Whereas generally the heroes of occidental nations are warriors and generals who serve their cause with the sword, xxx the hero of the Filipinos served his cause with the pen, demonstrating that the pen is mighty as the sword to redeem a people from their political slavery.

Andres Bonifacio, not Rizal, should be the national hero

xxx the revolution prepared by Bonifacio was only the effect, the consequence of spiritual redemption wrought by the pen of Rizal. xxx in point of importance the previous work of Rizal seems to us superior to that of Bonifacio. (Ocampo in Zaide, 1999)

There are only two powers in the world, the sword and the pen; and in the end the former is always conquered by the latter Napoleon I

Conclusion:
Was Rizal an American-made hero?
NO. Rizal was proclaimed as our National Hero by the First Philippine Republic.

Was Rizal against the revolution for Philippine independence?

NO. Rizal supported the revolution but opposed the immediate start of it due to lack of arms.

Is Rizal worthy to be our national hero?

YES. His life served as the inspiration of our nation to be free and cherish freedom. The teachings of Rizal are as valid today as they were yesterday.

References:
Balsamo, Jonathan, Unti-Unti Akong Nagbago: Ang Buhay-Estudyante ni Rizal sa Ateneo, Philippine Historical Society Bulletin, Vol. XLIII 2009, pp. 120-125 Dela Cruz, Arleigh Ross, Rizal Meets Pio Valenzuela: The Conference of Jose Rizal and Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan, Philippine Historical Society Bulletin, Vol. XLIII 2009, pp. 155-165 Zaide, Gregorio et al (1999) Jose Rizal: Life, Works, and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist, and National Hero 2nd Ed., All-Nations Publishing: QC http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/archive/index.php/t -247161.html. http://www.articlehit.com http://www.pinoypress.net/2008/12/30/why-jose-rizal-didnot-deserve-to-be-national-hero/

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