History 100 Proposition Paper

Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio

Submitted by: Aldam, Karen M.

(Reporter of Rizals Grand Tour of Europe with Viola (1887)

Submitted To: Prof. Charlie Mariano

JOSE RIZAL
JOSE RIZAL, the national hero of the Philippines and pride of the Malayan race, was born on June 19, 1861, in the town of Calamba, Laguna. He was the seventh child in a family of 11 children (2 boys and 9 girls). Both his parents were educated and belonged to distinguished families. His father, Francisco Mercado Rizal, an industrious farmer whom Rizal called "a model of fathers," came from Bian, Laguna; while his mother, Teodora Alonzo y Quintos, a highly cultured and accomplished woman whom Rizal called "loving and prudent mother," was born in Meisic, Sta. Cruz, Manila. At the age of 3, he learned the alphabet from his mother; at 5, while learning to read and write, he already showed inclinations to be an artist. He astounded his family and relatives by his pencil drawings and sketches and by his moldings of clay. At the age 8, he wrote a Tagalog poem, "Sa Aking Mga Kabata," the theme of which revolves on the love of ones language. In 1877, at the age of 16, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree with an average of "excellent" from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. In the same year, he enrolled in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas,. He finished the latter course on March 21, 1877 and passed the Surveyors examination on May 21, 1878; but because of his age, 17, he was not granted license to practice the profession until December 30, 1881. In 1878, he enrolled in medicine at the University of Santo Tomas but had to stop in his studies when he felt that the Filipino students were being discriminated upon by their Dominican tutors. On May

3, 1882, he sailed for Spain where he continued his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid. On June 21, 1884, at the age of 23, he was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine and on June 19,1885, at the age of 24, he finished his course in Philosophy and Letters with a grade of "excellent." Having traveled extensively in Europe, America and Asia, he mastered 22 languages. These include Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Malayan, Portuguese, Russian, Sanskrit, Spanish, Tagalog, and other native dialects. A versatile genius, he was an architect, artists, businessman, cartoonist, educator, economist, ethnologist, scientific farmer, historian, inventor, journalist, linguist, musician, mythologist, nationalist, naturalist, novelist, opthalmic surgeon, poet, propagandist, psychologist, scientist, sculptor, sociologist, and theologian.

He is one of the greatest Filipinos who ever lived. At a time when the Philippine Islands was under the oppressive rule of the Spaniards, his brilliance and dedication to his country served as inspiration for the discontent masses to fight for their homeland's independence. As a young child, he studied with high honors at the Ateneo Municipal, a school run by Jesuits, and in college went to Unibersidad de Santo Tomas, a Dominican-run university. He went on to Europe to study medicine, particularly ophthalmology, to be able to treat his mother, who had beginning cataracts. Dr. Rizal was only 26 when he wrote his first book, the Noli Me Tangere. The words "noli me tangere" mean "do not touch me," and are taken from the Book of Saint John. The book was immediately banned by the friars in the country at that time, for it sought to expose the latter's corruption and greed. Dr. Rizal's second novel was the El Filibusterismo, which was the sequel to Noli Me Tangere. Dr. Rizal was a peace-loving man, and in his books, he made all the revolutionary efforts of his characters fail utterly. He believed that the peaceful way of reform was the way to change the status quo in the Philippines then. Dr. Rizal and his allies fought for the recognition of the Philippines as a province of Spain. They actively reiterated in their efforts and in their written works that (1) Spaniards and Filipinos must be treated as equals; (2) Filipinos must have a representative to the Spanish "Cortes" or Legislature; (3) The parishes in the Philippines must be given to secular priests, and not to religious orders; and (4) Filipinos should be given the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to fair trial. Above all these, Dr. Rizal and his compatriots lobbied for the removal of the religious orders in the Philippines. After a mock trial, he was convicted of rebellion, sedition and of forming illegal association. In the cold morning of December 30, 1896, Rizal, a man whose 35 years of life had been packed with varied activities which proved that the Filipino has capacity to equal if not excel even those who treat him as a slave, was shot at Bagumbayan Field.

ANDRES BONIFACIO
Bonifacio's Birth and Early Life: Andres Bonifacio was born on November 30, 1863 in Tondo, Manila. His father Santiago was a tailor, a local politician and a boatman who operated a river-ferry; his mother, Catalina de Castro, was employed in a cigarette-rolling factory. The couple worked extremely hard to support Andres and his five younger siblings, but in 1881 Catalina caught tuberculosis ("consumption") and died. The following year, Santiago also became ill and passed away. At the age of 19, Andres Bonifacio was forced to give up plans for higher education and begin working full-time to support his orphaned younger siblings. He worked for the British trading company J.M. Fleming & Co. as a broker or corredor for local raw materials such as tar and rattan. He later moved to the German firm Fressell & Co., where he worked as a bodeguero or grocer. He grew up in the slums and knew from practical experience the actual conditions of the class struggle in his society. Orphaned early, he interrupted his primary schooling in order to earn a living as a craftsman and then as clerk-messenger and agent of foreign commercial firms in Manila. Absorbing the teachings of classic rationalism from the works of Jos Rizal, Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, Eugne Sue's The Wandering Jew, books on the French Revolution, and the lives of the presidents of the United States, Bonifacio acquired an understanding of the dynamics of the sociohistorical process. Family Life: Andres Bonifacio's tragic family history during his youth seems to have followed him in to his adulthood. He married twice, but had no surviving children at the time of his death.

His first wife, Monica, came from the Palomar neighborhood of Bacoor. She died young of leprosy (Hansen's disease). Bonifacio's second wife, Gregoria de Jesus, came from the Calookan area of metro Manila. They married when he was 29 and she was just 18; their only child, a son, died as an infant. Establishment of Katipunan: In 1892, Bonifacio joined Jose Rizal's new organization La Liga Filipina, which called for reform of the Spanish colonial regime in the Philippines. The group met only once, however, since Spanish officials arrested Rizal immediately after the first meeting and deported him to the southern island of Mindanao. After Rizal's arrest and deportation, Andres Bonifacio and others revived La Liga to continue pressure on the Spanish government to free the Philippines. Along with his friends Ladislao Diwa and Teodoro Plata, however, he also founded a group called Katipunan. Katipunan, or Kataastaasang Kagalannalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan to give its full name (literally "Highest and Most Respected Society of the Children of the Country"), was dedicated to armed resistance against the colonial government. Made up mostly of people from the middle and lower classes, the Katipunan organization soon established regional branches in a number of provinces across the Philippines. (It also went by the rather unfortunate acronym KKK.) In 1895, Andres Bonifacio became the top leader or Presidente Supremo of the Katipunan. Along with his friends Emilio Jacinto and Pio Valenzuela, Bonifacio also put out a newspaper called the Kalayaan, or "Freedom. Bonifacio was self educated and had read books about the French Revolution, biographies of the Presidents of the United States, and studied colonial and civil penal codes. In 1892 he joined a peaceful organization that called for political reforms in the Spanish government in the Philippines called, La Liga Filipina (The Philippine League). Following the arrest and exile of La Liga Filipina's leader Jose Rizal, the group disbanded. Trial and Execution: After Emilio Aguinaldo "won" the rigged election at Tejeros, Andres Bonifacio refused to recognize the new rebel government. Aguinaldo sent a group to arrest Bonifacio; the opposition leader did not realize that they were there with ill intent, and allowed them into his camp. They shot down his brother Ciriaco, seriously beat his brother Procopio, and some reports say that they also raped his young wife Gregoria.

Aguinaldo had Bonifacio and Procopio tried for treason and sedition. After a one-day sham trial, in which the defense lawyer averred their guilt rather than defending them, both Bonifacios were convicted and sentenced to death.

Andres Bonifacio's Legacy:

As the first self-declared President of the independent Philippines, as well as the first leader of the Philippine Revolution, Andres Bonifacio is a crucial figure in that nation's history. However, his exact legacy is the subject of dispute among Filipino scholars and citizens. He is Phillipine revolutionary hero, founded the Katipunan, a secret society which spearheaded the uprising against the Spanish and laid the groundwork for the first Philippine Republic. Jos Rizal is generally considered the National hero, but Bonifacio has been suggested as a more worthy candidate on the grounds of having started the Philippine Revolution. Teodoro Agoncillo notes that the Philippine national hero, unlike those of other countries, is not "the leader of its liberation forces". Renato Constantino writes that Rizal is a "United States-sponsored hero" who was promoted as the greatest Filipino hero during the American colonial period of the Philippines after Aguinaldo lost the Philippine-American War. The United States promoted Rizal, who was taken to represent peaceful political advocacy, instead of more radical figures whose ideas could inspire resistance against American rule. Specifically, Rizal was selected over Bonifacio who was viewed as "too radical" and Apolinario Mabini who was "unregenerate." Andres Bonifacio has been honored with a national holiday on his birthday, however, just like Rizal. November 30 is Bonifacio Day in the Philippines.

CONCLUSION
What is a hero? It is the one whose life, works and words (writings) can inspire people to be men and women for others,One who is honored and idolized by the people and one who willingly sacrificed his life for the sake of others. A national hero of the Philippines is a Filipino who has been recognized as a hero for his or her role in the history of the country. Loosely, the term may refer to all Filipino historical figures recognized as heroes, but the term more strictly refers to those officially designated as such. In 1995 the Philippine National Heroes Committee officially recommended several people for the designation, but this was not acted upon. Currently, no one has ever been officially recognized as a Philippine national heroA hero may be easy to spell but it is never easy to become. Heroes are people who have gained enormous identity among others. They are role models, well-respected, nationalistic and have contributed to society causing national unity resulting to something really big like freedom. Between the different faces of heroes we know who stands out among the rest? Is it Rizal or is Bonifacio of better identity? Would it be Aguinaldo or Mabini? If there is a need to place someone as national hero then who should we pick between those huge names. During the colonization in our country, patriotism leaved in the heart of every Filipino with the ultimate goal of getting back the freedom that Spanish colonizers took away from us. Many Filipino were known that fought against the colonizers some of them have their own stories and every one of theme gave their lives, and examples of them are Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio. For me we really must not compare theme about what they had contributed to our country for they had gave their best protecting and serving our beloved country even though the two heroes had different styles of fighting. We just have to be thankful and give our respect to them and live our lives with the memory of the heroes that fought and gave their lives to our country Philippines. Dr. Rizal did have thoughts of eventual independence, but never through violent means. It is ironic, therefore, that the revolution that started in his lifetime was ascribed by the Spaniards to him, though he never had a hand in it. Dr. Rizal, the reformist, was actually executed on the accusation that he was the supreme leader of the revolutionary movement of his time. The efforts for reform of Dr. Rizal and his compatriots at this time were already showing signs of failure, prompting leaders from the lower classes to launch an armed struggle. Would say Jose Rizal. He was an intelligent and brave man. He emobodied a strong character. Even though Jose Rizal did not fight through fists or in an aggresive manner like Bonifacio who literally fought the Spaniards, Rizal wrote pamphlets and encouraged fellow Filipinos to stand up against the Spaniards. Rizals mission and his concepts of nationalism became the rallying force of the revolutionary leaders who took over the leadership of the country after Rizals death. Rizal did not just die by being shot accidentally in a battle or while trying to save another man from drowning. He died by being shot in a century-old war and while trying to save an entire race from drowning Rizal's advocacy of liberty through peaceful means rather than by violent revolution makes

him Asia's first modern non-violent proponent of freedom. Dr. Rizal is worthy of being our national hero first of all he had a big part on the revolution not by promoting it, but by provoking the priars and encouraging co-Filipino to stand for our freedom not by sword but by his pen. And looking on his status had a remarkable one but still he sacrifice this for his love on his country and countrymen, and even if he knows going back to Philippines would make him get killed, still he come back for our country, for he know his death could lead his countrymen strive harder for the freedom they received. Actions speak louder than words but the pen is mightier than the sword. The war inflicted physical wounds, bloodshed and death. The novels awakened numb minds to the truth, to the cruelty of the spaniards. Bonifacio, will always be one of the greatest icons of Philippine history. He might not have been as intelligent as Rizal nor as victorious as Aguinaldo but his passion for freedom and courage to fight is irrefutable. Though Rizal hadn't supported his revolutionary ideals and Aguinaldo never trusted him, Bonifacio still pursued with his ultimate goal for independence. His Tagalog translation of Rizal's "Mi Ultimo Adios" to inspire the Filipino patriots will always be taken with deep gratitude. Bonifacio didn't actually defeated the foreign oppressors but his climactic Katipunan blood-compact ritual, symbolic tearing up of cedula, and historic "Cry of Balintawak" signaled the final days of Spanish colonial empire in this country and are now forever etched in the monuments of Filipino consciousness. No way did he have the intellect of Rizal, but I admire the way he came from extreme poverty and made himself great.. Bonifacio's legendary courage is never far behind. Bonifacio should have been the national hero because he wanted for an ultimate freedom for the Philippines and be separated from the authorities of Spain and that is through a revolution. Well it is true that Bonifacio has somewhat got this idea of freedom from Rizal but it is Bonifacio who put it into action, what is an idea without an action? . . . action speaks louder than words of ideas. Andres Bonifacio is a man of courage and conviction because despite of everything and though he is a man of scanty education he fought by the force of his hands stoutheartedly.

Andres and Jose cannot be faced-off absolutely. These two men were driven by the same fervor and noble intentions but used different ways to accomplish them. As we all know, Dr. Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio, played a great role in the existence of Philippine Independence. They have separate ways of fighting the spanish tyranny. Dr. Jose Rizal in fight he used pen in critiquing while Andres Bonifacio used bolos and guns, which encourage bloody revolution. The most important that we come to think of is, both Dr. Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio show their love for our country. They have their own ways of seeking Philippine Independence. They are both brave in so many ways because they are great heroes during their time. Comparison should not be done to this two different person because No words or deeds which can compare them. Dr. Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio were one of our great heroes during our Philippine History. As mentioned, though they have different techniques in gaining independence, they both wanted to

have total independence from Spain. I agree that Rizals title being our Philippine National Hero is still debatable up to this time, especially in the world of academe. Simply because others believe that it should be Andres Bonifacio who will carry that title, and not Dr. Jose Rizal. But, in my own opinion, these two people should not be compared. It is unfair for these two personalities be compared to each other because one is extremely opposite from the other. It is unfair for a rich man to be compared to a poor man. It is also unfair for a poor man to be compared to a rich man. It is unfair for a doctor to be compared to a farmer. It is also unfair for a farmer to be compared to a doctor. They do not deserve to be compared to each other because either way, if Rizal didnt have that great title, both Rizal and Bonifacio will still be recognized as heroes in our Philippine History because of their bravery in fighting against the Spaniards and since they fought for the welfare of the Filipinos. Comparing to other is not fair because all of us have our own ways and styles to be a good leader like Bonifacio and Rizal. We dont have any right to compare them. We all know that both of them are good leaders like the article state that this two personalities have in common, they are both brave and great heroes of their time and their only goals is to have all Filipinos freedom that long been controlled against Spaniards. For me,its fair to compare between a rich men and beggars because they are common; there is no reason why Jesus may not have had in mind a particular case. Yes,it would be also fair to a poor man compare to a rich men. A rich man is just a poor man with money. Bonifacio is a a Filipino revolutionary leader and one of the main rebel leaders of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule in the late 19th century. He is regarded as the Father of the Philippine Revolution and one of the most influential national heroes of his country. A freemason, Bonifacio was the founder of the Katipunan organization which aimed to start an independence movement against Spain. While Rizal was a Filipino polymath, nationalist and the most prominent advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era, He is considered the Philippines national hero because he did not fight the spaniards like bonifacio did and he preferred peaceful transition. The spaniards will never give our country back to us in a silver platter! They even sold us to the americans who until thought they own us! He just wanted a representation of the indios to the government.

All of us can be a hero of our own country in our own little ways but with great love,perseverance and dedication.but it is not good to be compared to anybody else. Jose rizal and andres bonifacio should not be compared because they had contributed a lot in our country in their unique ways.both of them have the same goal but done in different ways. Jose rizal want a change and he did it by means of writing while andres bonifacio did it by using bolos and guns and engage into a bloody war. But i salute both of them because they have done a great work. We all know that they are completely opposite and would be unfair for both of them to be compared. We should not compare them but we have to respect and be proud of them for they have sacrifice their lives for the greater good of our country .

To compare two personalities which came from different state of life is really unfair, because who are we to compare them to other without knowing ones background. Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio had made great contributions to our country and both were important in our history. Both names were planted to every filipinos mind and both had shown bravery and nationalism which are deserving to be honored, but not to be compared. They were not perfect persons anyway and each has imperfections. If rizal use his pen in fighting the Spaniards, then Bonifacio use his bolos. They may be different in such way but the thing is they have the same goals, and that is for our countrys freedom and the total independence that what bonifacio really aims, thats why we should be proud of them because they are both brave heroes which can be proud of, of the Filipinos. Dr Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio were some of our great heroes who fought for our rights, for our country and saved us from from the spaniards, although they have different ways of doing there warfare or expressing their refusal against the spanish government during spanish era.It is really unfair to assimilate them. We Filipino should know that they both endowed a lot just for us to be acquitted or release from the Spaniards and it is not good to hear that we Filipino compare them instead of glorifying them for their braveness and sagaciousness. So I agree that we should not compare because they are our hero. In the end, I think these two deserve to be national heroes! There shouldn't just be one hero that we ought to praise and entitle as the 'national hero.' Rizal and Bonfiacio had their own characteristics that make them a hero. Without these two, how can Philippines form as a country? They united the Filipinos to stand against Spain, so they equally deserve to be called as National Heroes. The comparison of Andres and Rizal is obviously unfair. If we compare them literally, andres is definitely different and far from rizal with regards to his educational attainments, profession and status in life. In the case of fighting for the country, both cannot also be compared, because we all know that both of them did their best and offered their lives just to save the country that theyve been fighting for quite a long time. so, there is no need for them to be compared because on the first place, fighting for the country is not a competition for rizal and andres to be compared. Education, richness, and professionalism is not the measurement of being a hero, but the effort and the heart fully desire to fight is what matters the most.

They should be honored individually because they are counted for their differences in the hardwork and perseverance to fight for the philippines against the colonizers.Clearly, the situation and milieu of the times were important in motivating this two men towards a greater goal.