Jose Rizal is the Philippines national hero. He was a unique man of outstanding talents.

A
patriot and physician, a poet and novelist, a linguist and ethnologist, a sculptor and economist, an
educator,
and
engineer.
Above
all,
he
was
a
man
of
conviction.
His love for his country, and his observations of Spanish rule impassioned him to speak out about
injustice. He was a peaceful man and used the power of the pen to express himself. It would
eventually lead to his imprisonment and execution.
He studied and travelled extensively in Europe, America and Asia. He mastered 22 languages
including Latin, Spanish, German, English, French, Chinese, Japanese, Sanskrit, Hebrew, Arabic,
Greek, Russian, Tagalog, as well as many native dialects.
As exemplified by his two great novels which no other literary works could surpass, he
proved that the pen is mightier than the sword. . He greatly affects his fellowmen through his courage
to write just to instill in their minds the real panorama during his era is so admirable. His influence to
the Filipino race through his intellect is as well not a sufficient basis to say that he deserves the title
but his complete self-denial. Although gifted with immeasurable talents, he completely abandoned
his personal interests in order to think only of those of his country He chose to live far from his
family, forego his personal affections and profession for an ideal that he ought for. He could have
settled stable being endowed with riches, valor and intellect, but he wished to fight for his country
utilizing these natural endowments.
Rizal, through his ideas had been Filipino martyrs principal source of inspiration in the
launching of the revolutionary in 1896. His ideas inspired as well most Filipinos in beholding dignity
that once had lost. His revolutionary ideas conveying national consciousness to the defective
educational system and violations of human rights to the Filipinos alarmed religious authorities for it
enlightened the minds of his fellowmen. His ideas exposed the social malady affecting the country
and redeemed his people from their miserable conditions.
He instilled native pride and dignity to Filipinos and the willingness to sacrifice for
motherland through his economic and political ideas which are vividly inscribed in his novels. He
preferred dying for the country than to live his life with his principles ruined. His death did not finish
his mission. It just begun. For his death inspired many others and became the rallying force of the
revolutionary leaders who were also willing to sacrifice and die for the country, if necessary.
According to Renato Constantino, when the American government conquered the island of
the Philippines from the Spanish government in 1896, the American government established a
commonwealth government after the Spanish revolutionary government ceased to govern the
country. At this time of the Philippine history, Filipinos under the commonwealth government started
to frame up Filipino national identities. When the question on who would be the national hero arose,
whether Rizal or Bonifacio, the American government "guided" the Filipino people to choose Rizal.
The American rationale was based on Rizal's peaceful propaganda and diplomatic approaches in
attaining Philippine freedom and independence, unlike Bonifacio who chose a bloody revolution.
Whether this assessment is accurate or not, Dr. Rizal has been considered a hero of the
Philippines from the outset: a public holiday was declared honouring Dr. Rizal in 1898, whereas that
for Bonifacio was not declared until 1921. Dr. Rizal was considered to be his inspiration by
Bonifacio himself. Even without the assistance of US propaganda, Rizal would have been honoured
as a hero in the Philippines. Perhaps the effect of the propaganda was less to boost Rizal and more to
denigrate Bonifacio.
But whether a national hero or not, he did a very good job for us considering the fact that he
had set us all free from slavery and better education. Hes a very good example and an inspiration to
us, most specially to students because of his intelligence and boldness. He was not a traitor. He had
faced death with boldness. He had proven the saying that goes, A pen is mightier than sword.