Among the many illustrious Filipinos who have distinguished themselves in the service of their country, the highest place of honor belongs to Dr. Jose Rizal. For Rizal possess an outstanding degree of virtues which together make up true patriotism. He loved his country not in word alone but in action. He devoted his time, energy and the resources of his brilliant mind to drive out the ignorance and the lack of concern of his people, and combating the injustices and inequalities. Some of Rizal’s most convincing insights into the political and social order are contained in his two novesl, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. In his novels, lesson on citizenship is shown. Doña Consolacion and Doña Victorina’s actions are clear that they do not love their own.
Filipino by birth, they abandoned their true identity to get to a higher place in life. Another insight is the injustice of the political system. This is shown by the capturing of Sisa. The unholiness of the friars is another thing. Portrayal of this is shown by Padre Salvi’s lust towards Maria Clara, and of Padre Damaso’s attitude towards Ibarra and to the people he does not like. In a deeper perspective, Rizal used two different styles in approaching for change. In Noli Me Tangere, reform; El filibusterismo, revolution. However, both did not answer the social cancer. Reform nor revolution was not the solution to the problem. The answer is education. As cited in Renato Constantine’s Veneration Without Understanding, Rizal did not join the revolution because all he wants was for us to be educated. He believed in freedom not as a right but as something to be deserved. Thus, his words make sense. What is being independent if we lack knowledge?
