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Jose Rizal:
An American Made Hero or a True National Hero?
“In the history of nations there are names that by themselves signify achievement that recall passion and greatness, names that, like magic formula, evoke pleasant and smiling thoughts, names that became a pact, a symbol of peace, a bond of love between the nations…”, 1 this is a part of Rizal’s speech, which held his audience spellbound, as he saluted Luna and Hidalgo as two glories of Spain and the Philippines. But it’s true that the name Jose Rizal, spell greatness and valor and the name itself is an epitome of heroism. Hence, now he is included in the list of the names that, more than a century ago, he tried to characterize as pride of our nation. He is a living proof of the proverb “a name is more precious than much refined gold”. Since years bygone up to this day, his name became the symbol of the Filipino race, and he has been venerated as the country’s hero. Still, many doubt his worthiness and legitimacy; maybe this is because we have different definitions of a hero, whether it is based on courageous acts or simply the wisdom to do what is right. Webster's Dictionary defines the word hero as a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities; one that shows great courage. 2 From this definition then, we can conclude that Rizal having attained so many honors in almost all fields, showing his great achievements and having published two books that exposes the exploits of Spanish tyrants, showing his unmeasurable courage, is a true hero.
But there still arise a never waning issue, that is, is Rizal a true National hero or an American made hero? For the rest of our discussion we will be dwelling in this question. We would try to answer latter part of the question, and drive our discussion to answer the former.
Now let us discuss how the perception of Dr. Jose Rizal being an American made and sponsored hero came into mind. In the year 1896, when the American government bought the island of the
The decision of the Taft Commission to sponsor Rizal was implemented with the passage of the following Acts of the Philippine Commission: (1) Act No. 137 which organized the politico-military district of Morong and named it the province of Rizal “in honor of the most illustrious Filipino and the most illustrious Tagalog the islands had ever known, “ (2) Act No.243 which authorized a public subscription for the erection of a monument in honor or Rizal at the Luneta, and (3) Act No. 346 which set aside the anniversary of his death as a day of observance. 4
It is true that the Americans have highlighted Rizal among other heroes. But even before Rizal’s death, many people of his time, has looked up to him as a hero. Consider Bonifacio, he made Rizal the honorary president of the Katipunan and attempted to rescue Rizal from exile in Dapitan so that the latter could lead or inspire the Filipino revolt, thus showing that even Bonifacio himself had a deep respect and honored Rizal so much. Furthermore, two years before the Taft Commission selected Rizal, in the year 1898 Emilio Aguinaldo in honor of Rizal declared December 30 an annual “day of mourning”. It must be noted that both Bonifacio and Aguinaldo are contenders of Rizal to be the National Hero of the
Rizal, through his writings, had deeply influenced the lives of the Filipino people, and thus long before the Taft Commission chose him, he was already embraced by the Filipinos as a hero. If that is the case then Filipinos, other than Bonifacio and Aguinaldo which have already been discussed above, have their reasons why their sentiments are inclined to Rizal. One of these reasons is that even though it’s not evident, but Rizal is truly the prime mover of the revolution. Martin Costantino, a policeman from Bulacan, testified in
His bravery and bold opposition against the slavery and apparent tyranny, through his literary works, kindled and ignited within each person his veiled nationalism. Indeed through these noble deeds and self-sacrificing spirit, he was able to get the sympathy of his fellow men which encouraged and motivated them, to move and insist from their foreign oppressors the rights they really ought to have, freedom in their own land.
Some Filipino says that Rizal is a reformist and against revolution, 7 but this is not really the case, according to _________in his ___________, Rizal is not really discouraging revolution. What he was only trying to thwart is the unprepared up-rise against their evidently more powerful enemies, the corrupt and brutal Spanish officials. 6
Another reason why Rizal deserves to be called our national hero is the fact that he brought honor to the
“What is most admirable in Rizal”, wrote Rafael Palma “is his complete self-denial, his complete abandonment of his personal interests in order to think only of those of his country…the voice of the species was stronger than the voice of personal progress or of private fortune, and he preferred to live far from his family and to sacrifice his personal affections for an ideal he had dreamed of…He did not have great means at his disposal to carry out his campaign, but that did not discourage him; he contented himself with what he had. He suffered the rigors of the cold winter of
Moreover, Rizal loved his people dearly and he willed to help the Filipinos in alleviating their suffering, and to help the country to free from Spanish tyranny in its entirety. 9 Thus he said in his letter written in
Without 1872 there would not be now either Plaridel or Jaena, or Sanciangco, nor would there exist brave and generous Filipino colonies in
Dr. Jose P. Rizal showed us the greatness of a true national hero, who even being in the vale of deep shadow, in front of his wicked foes he stood strong, unmovable and firm to his vision of a better Philippines and he did not allow himself to be distracted by anyone from this objective. He endured the criticisms thrown at him and showed that he truly is a valiant hero, someone who was not afraid of any man- the Spanish Guardia Civils, the Dominican priests, and all his mighty and the powerful enemies- and neither was he afraid to die. In his book Jose Rizal, Life, Works, and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist, and National Hero, Zaide said that Rizal was forced to escape from the Philippines due to two reasons, “first, his presence in Calamba was jeopardizing the safety and happiness of his family and friends, and second, he could fight better his enemies and serve his country’s cause with greater efficacy by writing in foreign countries”. 11 Hence, he did not escaped because he was afraid to die, but he was protecting his family, friends and his country’s cause. Up to the day of his death he never turned his back to his beloved people and to his fatherland, thus he has lived up to that name - the True National hero.
In the book of knowledge a certain proverb says, “A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of ones being born”, yes! This is true with our very own Rizal, because of his words and deeds throughout the course of his life, even until the day of his death; he has acquired a clean and noble name. And due to this reason even if Dr. Jose Rizal, may have died more than a century ago, yet his name continues to live until this day, and his influence felt up to this very moment. Who doesn’t know him? You do know him, for sure! Somehow you are a true Filipino if you know Dr. Jose Rizal. Indeed Rizal, though his noble ways has proved himself worthy to be called our true “Philippine National Hero”.
References
Constantino, Renato. Jose Rizal: Veneration Without Understanding, Manila
de Ocampo, Esteban. Who Made Jose Rizal Our Foremost National Hero, and Why?
Joaquin, Nick. A Question of Heroes: Essays and criticisms on ten key figures of Philippine History.
http://www.brownseo.com/?p=57
Ocampo, Ambeth. Rizal Without the Overcoat,
___________: Rizal’s Correspondence with Fellow Reformists.
___________: How come Jose Rizal became the Philippine hero?
___________: Should Rizal be our National Hero? http://www.pldtplay.com/viewtopic.php?p=1037492
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