I. Background of the study We owe it to ourselves as Filipinos to revisit the writings of Dr. Rizal and try to gain an understanding of his ideals and hope for the Philippines. Dr. Rizal is a great gift of God to us, if we are to see it in a Christian perspective. But Dr. Rizal may be like a precious gift left unopened in the closet of our lackadaisical minds. Participating in the events being held this year is a good way to open our hearts and minds to the dreams of Rizal for a progressive and enlightened Filipino nation.
Reading and understanding his works will be another way for us to reach the goal of a truly free and independent Philippines. In June 1892 Rizal left two sealed letters with a Portuguese friend “to be opened and published after my death. ” In these letters Rizal explained to his family and his countrymen that he was returning to the Philippines to show by example that Filipinos knew how to die for principles.
This is the letter he wanted us to read, a letter that will illustrate to anti-Rizal advocates why Rizal is our national hero: The step that I have taken, or am about to take, is undoubtedly very risky, and it is unnecessary to say that I have pondered on it a great deal. I know that everyone is opposed to it but I realize also that no one knows what goes on in my heart. I cannot live knowing that many are suffering unjust persecution because of me; I cannot live seeing my brothers [hermanos] and their large families persecuted like criminals. I prefer to face death and gladly give my life to free so many innocent persons from this unjust persecution.
I know that, at present, the future of my country gravitates in part around me; that with my death, many would rejoice, and that, consequently, many are longing for my end. But what am I to do? I have duties of conscience above all else; I have moral obligations toward the families who suffer, toward my aged parents whose sights pierce my heart; I know that I alone, even my death, can make them happy by returning them to their country and the tranquility of their home. My parents are all that I have, but my country has many sons still who can take it to advantage.
Moreover, I wish to show those who deny us patriotism that we know how to die for our duty and for our convictions. What matters death if one dies for what one loves, for one’s country and for those whom he loves? If I know that I were the only pillar of Philippine politics and if I were convinced that my country men were going to make use of my services, perhaps I would hesitate to take this step, but there are still others who can take my place, who can take my place to advantage.
Furthermore, there are those who find me superfluous and in no need of my services, thus they reduce me to inaction. I have always loved my poor country and I am sure that I shall love her until my last moment. Perhaps some people will be unjust to me: well, my future, my life, my joys, everything, I have sacrificed for love of her. Whatever my fate may be, I shall die blessing my country and wishing her the dawn of her redemption. ” (The Philippine Daily Inquirer, 12/31/89) The great part of Dr.
Rizal’s relevance to the lives of Filipinos is, ironically, the fact that the social problems that our hero had fought for in his lifetime are tragically still plaguing our homeland today. The violation of human rights, the iniquity between the ruling class and the majority of the masses, the medieval practice of the Christian faith, the corruption in the government and its bureaucracy and those controlling economic production are just as bad now, if not worse, more than 116 years after Dr. Rizal had sacrificed his life for his country. B. Statement of the Problem:
This study aims to answer this question: 1. Why is Dr. Jose Rizal our national hero? C. Significance of the study College Students who is taking up the Rizal course: This research paper would be able to help students in college who are currently taking up the Rizal course. The Rizal course is mandated by Republic act 1425, which was authored and fought for by Claro M. Recto RA 1425 also known as the Rizal law. Meaning all college students would benefit in this research as all courses are required to include the Rizal course in their curriculum.
Teachers and Professors: Teachers and professors of Philippine History and the Rizal course would benefit from this study because they would be able to make use of the information imparted in this research in preparing lesson plans and similar instructional activities for interested students. Future Researchers: This study is very helpful for future researchers that will make similar studies for this research could be a good source of information. D. Scope and Delimitation This study focuses on the fundamental considerations or criteria on why is Dr. Jose Rizal chosen as our national hero. E.
Materials and methods The method we use is the qualitative method we used it because our study is about a single person and his significance. ”Qualitative research is a method of inquiry employed in many different academic disciplines, traditionally in the social sciences, but also in market research and further contexts. ” (Denzin, Norman K. & Lincoln 2005) The materials we used is books and other readily available materials like the internet and other research of the same topic F. Definition of terms Hero – a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities; one who shows great courage.
Nobility – the quality or state of being noble in character, quality or rank; aristocracy Lackadaisical – lacking lif, spirit, or zest; languid Bureaucracy – government characterized by specialization of functions adherence to fixed rule, and a hierarchy of authority. Chapter 2 DISCUSSION What are the fundamental considerations or criteria on choosing Dr. Jose Rizal as our national hero? Historians and laymen can produce many reasons why Jose Rizal is the national hero of the Philippines. Below are some of the most frequently cited ones. Nobility and Dignity What set Rizal apart from the others were his methods.
Instead of relaying on the sword, he relied on the might of the pen. Using this method he was able to produce novels and poems that touched the Filipino’s soul. Without resorting to violence, he made Filipinos realize the oppression they were going through under the Spaniards. In his poems he also made it clear how important it was to love one’s country. It was a noble approach and something unique. Instead of raising arms, he embedded in the Filipino an idea. Unlike warriors, an idea cannot be killed. It is this reason why Jose Rizal is the national hero of the Philippines.
Showing the Filipino Potential Rizal was a brilliant writer and poet. He was able to speak several languages and highly skilled. He was able to use his intelligence to set forth his beliefs and opinions clearly. As such, he was able to show his countrymen and the world what the Filipino could be capable of. By becoming a novelist, engineer, writer etc. Rizal showed that there was no limit to the ability of the Filipino. Fighting for Freedom Through his works, Rizal was able to revolutionize the way that the Filipino thought. That is another reason why Jose Rizal is the national hero of the Philippines.
Even without making rousing speeches or bold declarations, he was able to stir the people’s inner spirit. He showed that without killing another man, one can fight oppression. He also demonstrated how the power of the pen could be stronger than the sword. He also showed how someone could bring about change without resorting to violence. A Reformist Rizal was also different from the other revolutionaries in other ways. He didn’t just want freedom for the people. He wanted reforms. Through his works he wanted to show how important it was for the Philippines to be civilized.
The reason why Jose Rizal is the national hero of the Philippines is because he looked far beyond overthrowing the Spaniards. He was interested in the long term situation of the country. Dying for His Country Even though he carried no arms, Rizal was very brave and courageous. He used his pen to expose the hypocrisy of the Spanish authorities. He was not afraid of the authorities even when they threatened him with execution. In the end, his written works cost him his life. But he knew that his death was not in vain. The man knew that while they could kill his mortal body, the idea of freedom was forever in the minds of the people.
It was a concept that would burn in the minds of every man. As long as the ideal was burning in the heart, the death of Rizal would only be in the physical sense. In spirit, he was in every individual. The ideals that he fought for are still alive today. There are many challenges facing the Filipino. But the reasons why Jose Rizal is the national hero of the Philippines continues to inspire the Filipino to march on. A Hero to Filipinos Of utmost significance in the public’s appreciations of Rizal’s patriotic labors on behalf of his people were the tributes paid by the revolutionary government to his memory.
In his opening address at the congress assembled in Malolos, Bulacan on September 15,1898 President Aguinaldo invoked the spirits of the departed heroes of the Fatherland: “The illustrious spirits of Rizal, Lopez-Jaena, and Marcelo H. Del Pilar! The august shades of Burgos, Pelaez, and Panganiban! The warlike geniuses of Aguinaldo (Crispulo) and Tirona, of Natividad and Evangelista! Arise a moment from your unknown graves! ” Then on Dec. 20, 1898, at the revolutionary capital, Malolos, President Aguinaldo issued his first official proclamation, making December 30 of that year “Rizal Day” Chapter 3 Summary and Conclusion
I. Summary There’s an issue that Rizal was an American-sponsored hero since it’s the Americans who chose him as our national hero. But nothing can be farther from the truth. In the preceding pages, we have shown beyond a shadow of doubt that the “Great Malayan” (F. Blumentritt’s description of Rizal) through his sacrifices for the good of his oppressed countrymen, projected himself as the foremost leader of the Philippines until the moment of his immolation, a fact that was spontaneously acknowledged not only by his own people, but also by the elite of other lands who intimately knew his patriotic labors.
We have likewise shown that immediately after his execution on the fateful morning of December 30, 1896, his own people justly acclaimed him as their foremost hero and martyr, and that Filipinos’ admiration for him has increased with the passing of time. Here are the reasons that puts his name as our national hero. a. ) His nobility and dignity. b. ) The “First Filipino” that showed the world the capacity to greatness of our race. c. While other reformist wants us to be still a colony of Spain Dr.
Jose Rizal wants to separate with Mother Spain in a peaceful manner. d. ) He had sacrificed his entire life for the betterment of our country. e. ) He had already been a hero to his countrymen long before he was declared our national hero. II. Conclusion We have shown in this research that Rizal was not only a great hero but the greatest among Filipinos. As a matter of fact, the savant Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt claimed that he is “the most prominent man among his own people” and “the greatest man the malayan race has produced”.
For the last time, we repeat: Why is Rizal our national hero? The answer is because he is the man most honored after death by public worship due to his most exceptional service to the Filipino people. In the final analysis, then, there is no single person or group of persons who was responsible for proclaiming the greatest Malayan the no. 1 hero of his people. Rizal himself, his own people, and all the foreigners who knew him intimately all together contributed to proclaiming him the greatest hero and martyr of his people.
