Why is José Rizal the Filipinos’ National Hero?
On December 30, Filipinos celebrate the Rizal Day. This festive day is dedicated to a unique person. How did it happen that José Rizal – an intellectual, a doctor, a polyglot, a poet, a supporter of reforms, became a Filipino national hero? Today we want to tell you a little about this extremely important figure for Filipinos!
José Rizal – the national hero
As unbelievable as it sounds, José Rizal was a lot of things rolled into one. He was a polymath of vast knowledge across different areas very distant and unrelated to each other. He was a polyglot writing and speaking in 22 languages. A physician, an educator as well. He was a talented individual passionate in painting, sculpting, and sketching. But at the top of that, he was also an author, a reformist, a propagandist, a nationalist, and a deeply-rooted Filipino patriot.
Little Pepe – Intellect and determination
Dr. José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born in Calamba, Laguna in 1861. He had a typical childhood filled with love and affection from his family. Interestingly, already at a young age, Pepe (Rizal’s nickname) had already shown his unusual intellect. At an age when children usually learn the ABCs, he was already writing poems. One of them is the famous “Sa Aking Mga Kababata (To My Fellow Children)”. But even at a tender age, his eyes were already opened to the harsh conditions of his folks.
The great determination to fight for a free Filipino homeland was already growing in his heart. This little boy would then emerge as one of the biggest intellectual gifts of his generation. He had a natural fascination with the beauty of the world and loved education fervently. He had great principles on the essence of belief and he was curious about other cultures and languages. But above all, he pursued freedom and justice his entire life. He became the most sung hero against Spanish rule.
José Rizal – advocate for reforms
He did not fight in the bloody battlefield. Neither did he take up a bolo (a traditional knife), a sword, or a rifle. He had also not killed any Spaniard. So… Why is José Rizal the Filipinos’ National Hero?
“If one must die, at least let him die in his country, for the good of his country, and on behalf of his country”.
For 333 years from 1565 to 1898, the Philippines became a colony of Spain. It was three long centuries of suffering, injustices, oppression, violence and misrule that Filipinos experienced. Interestingly, Rizal was not initially aiming for the nation’s independence from Spain. He neither wanted violence nor a revolution. All he advocated for was socio-political reforms. A government that respected his people by giving them equal human rights and opportunities like what the Spanish enjoyed.
“Noli me tangere”
Unfortunately, Spain never granted that. As Rizal traveled to Europe to equip himself with education, he became more involved in the struggle of his countrymen. He published his essays and articles in a newspaper called “La Solidaridad”. Rizal wrote how the rulers are unworthy of the faith of his people and the dark repercussions of such a crooked governance. He vehemently criticized the Spanish rule.
While he was in Spain, distance didn’t stop him from fighting for his nation’s outcry for justice and political reforms. Rizal wrote his first novel called “Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)”. It was finished and published in Germany in 1886. It was a masterpiece passionately exposing the odors and evil ways of the Spanish government and the clergy in his country. The rampant cruelties, graft, and corruption. He used characters that portray the Spanish friars, the people who should have been spreading words of Christianity. Yet, they were also people of insatiable greed and doers of abuse.
Novels that inspired Filipino hearts
The first masterpiece was followed by another one. Five years later – “El Filibusterismo (Reign of Greed)” – a sequel to the first novel was published in 1891. This time, he honored the three Filipino martyred priests, which would later on be a reason for his arrest. His books defended Filipinos from foreign accusations of foolishness and illiteracy, and revealed the inhumane Spanish government… But they also reminded Filipinos of their own wrongdoings which led them to an undesirable fate. His published words deeply resonated with his countrymen.
They evoked a sense of nationalism and patriotism in their hearts. This was a time when national pride and identity transpired. This eventually led his countrymen to revolt against the rulers. He was asked to participate in an armed revolution, but refused. While Rizal never favored an armed revolution, he stated he could never blame a fellow Filipino for leaning onto such actions.
La Liga Filipina
In 1892, Rizal came back to Manila. He was not staying idle and he founded a secret society – La Liga Filipina. The goal of the organization was to involve people in seeking legal reforms. It was already too much for colonial rule, already in fury because of his writings. Rizal was arrested and imprisoned in Fort Santiago for being an anti-Catholic and anti-government (among others). He was then deported to Dapitan (Mindanao) for 4 years where he devoted his time teaching the youth. Rizal is famous for the quote: ‘the youth is the hope of the Fatherland’. He believed education is a great instrument for change, development, and freedom. Unfortunately, his peaceful life in exile would soon come to an end.
Being a patriot till the last breath
In December of 1896, he was brought to trial where he was accused of rebellion, sedition, and illegal association. Later on, the great man was given the unfortunate verdict of death by a firing squad. A day before his execution, he penned down his last piece. It was a poem “Mi Ultimo Adios” (My Last Farewell) written on a small piece of paper inside his cell. On the dewy morning of December 30, 1896, Rizal calmly proceeded on his death march to the grassy lawn of Bagumbayan where he was shot at the back by eight soldiers of the firing squad. Upon being hit, he faced his executors, fell down and died looking at the sky.
This event, among others, led to the Philippine Revolution in 1896. It was organized by the Katipuneros led by another hero – Andrés Bonifacio. They raised against the brutal Spanish colonial government with bolos in hand and patriotism in heart.
Words that stay in Filipino hearts till now
Most of the Filipino patriots we find in history books became heroes by taking up weapons fighting against the Spaniards and shedding blood for the nation. Rizal took a weapon of his own – a quill, dipped it in ink. He penned down the words of his great mind that would fuel the burning valor in the hearts of Bonifacio and the patriots. He wrote words that would evoke the spirit of nationalism in every Filipino. Rizal lived a short yet meaningful and purposeful life. Yet, he greatly influenced his nation and countrymen. He left his writings and novels as a legacy that transcends generations, never failing to rekindle the sense of Filipino identity in the hearts of every folk. He died with pride and honor – for he died in his country, for the good of his country, and on behalf of his country.
As a symbol of homage and reverence, 30th of December is declared as Rizal’s Day. It is celebrated by Filipinos to commemorate his heroism and love for his nation. A formal ceremony is held at the Rizal Park (Manila) where a monument of the national hero stands and where his remains are kept.
Author: Krystal Nudalo (USC student)
