What is the importance of studying Rizal’s

life, his writings and other heroes?

by Nel Galarosa, &anbublack0ps
What is the importance of studying Rizal’s life, his writings and other heroes?

It is important to study rizal’s life and his writings including other heroes because the contribution they
give to the country is priceless. We the youth know only the little background of their lives and works
and we are already moved, what about if we dig deeper into this? Of course we will learn many lessons
and inspirations with their works. The love they give for the country. Especially Dr. Rizal, who is the
mightiest. The principle of pen is mightier than the sword.

The wounds made by verbal weapons are won’t be healed easily and creates more damage to the
personality of the tyrant Spaniards that is why he is haunted by them. If all of the youth also inherit this
kind of concern and patriotism for the country, for sure we will have a nonstop cycle of dignified youths
that soon will be leaders.

http://www.bubblews.com/news/1596076-what-is-the-importance-of-studying-rizals-life-his-writings-
and-other-heroes

Why Study Rizal?

It is of great importance that students understand the rationale behind having to take up a Rizal
course in college. For high school students, the Noli Me Tangere and the El Filibusterismo are
injected into the Filipino subject as part of the overall curriculum. In tertiary education, however,
Rizal is a subject required of any course, in any college or university in the Philippines.

Usually, during the first day of the course, the professor asks the well-overused questions:

Why study Rizal?

What is the importance of studying Rizal?

Why is Rizal one of the minor subjects taken up in college?

Why is Rizal included in the course outline?

What relevance does Rizal have in college education?

The answer to such questions can be summed up in two points:

1. First and foremost, because it is mandated by law.

2. Secondly, because of the lessons contained within the course itself.

Let us discuss those reasons one by one:

WHY STUDY RIZAL: BECAUSE IT IS MANDATED BY LAW

The teaching of Jose Rizal’s life, works, and writings is mandated by Republic Act 1425,
otherwise known as the Rizal Law. Senator Jose P. Laurel, the person who sponsored the said
law, said that since Rizal was the founder of Philippine nationalism and has contributed much to
the current standing of this nation, it is only right that the youth as well as all the people in the
country know about and learn to imbibe the great ideals for which he died. The Rizal Law,
enacted in 1956, seeks to accomplish the following goals:

1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which our
heroes lived and died
2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino
character
3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and
writings.

WHY STUDY RIZAL: BECAUSE OF THE LESSONS CONTAINED WITHIN THE

COURSE

Aside from those mentioned above, there are other reasons for teaching the Rizal course in
Philippine schools:

1. To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and teachings in relation to present

conditions and situations in the society.
2. To encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal problems and
issues.
3. To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and died
for.
4. To foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects of citizenship.

http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/2011/08/why-study-rizal.html
José Protacio Rizal Mercado Alonso y Realonda (June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino
nationalist, novelist, poet, ophthalmologist, journalist, and revolutionary. He is widely considered one of
the greatest heroes of the Philippines. He was the author of Noli Me Tángere, El Filibusterismo, and a
number of poems and essays. He was executed on December 30, 1896, by a squad of Filipino soldiers of
the Spanish Army.

José Rizal

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso

Realonda
Born
June 19, 1861
Calamba City, Laguna
December 30, 1896 (aged 35)
Died
Bagumbayan, Manila
Cause of
Execution by firing squad
death
Luneta Park, Manila,
Monuments Calamba, Laguna,
Daet, Camarines Norte
Other names Pepe
Ateneo Municipal de Manila, University of
Alma mater Santo Tomas, Universidad Central de
Madrid
Organization La Solidaridad, La Liga Filipina
Religion Roman Catholic
Josephine Bracken (1896)
Spouse(s)
 Francísco Rizal y Bracken (who died after
Children
birth)
Francisco Rizal Mercado (father)
Parent(s)
Teodora Alonso (mother)

Signature

Jose Rizal: A Biographical Sketch

BY TEOFILO H. MONTEMAYOR

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 Biñan, 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 one’s 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, while at the same time took courses leading to the
degree of surveyor and expert assessor at the Ateneo. He finished the latter course on
March 21, 1877 and passed the Surveyor’s 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 was an expert swordsman and a good shot. In the hope of securing political and
social reforms for his country and at the same time educate his countrymen, Rizal, the
 greatest apostle of Filipino nationalism, published, while in Europe, several works with
highly nationalistic and revolutionary tendencies. In March 1887, his daring book, NOLI
ME TANGERE, a satirical novel exposing the arrogance and despotism of the Spanish
clergy, was published in Berlin; in 1890 he reprinted in Paris, Morga’s SUCCESSOS
DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS with his annotations to prove that the Filipinos had a
civilization worthy to be proud of even long before the Spaniards set foot on Philippine
soil; on September 18, 1891, EL FILIBUSTERISMO, his second novel and a sequel to
the NOLI and more revolutionary and tragic than the latter, was printed in Ghent.
Because of his fearless exposures of the injustices committed by the civil and clerical
officials, Rizal provoked the animosity of those in power. This led himself, his relatives
and countrymen into trouble with the Spanish officials of the country. As a consequence,
he and those who had contacts with him, were shadowed; the authorities were not only
finding faults but even fabricating charges to pin him down. Thus, he was imprisoned in
Fort Santiago from July 6, 1892 to July 15, 1892 on a charge that anti-friar pamphlets
were found in the luggage of his sister Lucia who arrive with him from Hong Kong.
While a political exile in Dapitan, he engaged in agriculture, fishing and business; he
maintained and operated a hospital; he conducted classes- taught his pupils the English
and Spanish languages, the arts.

The sciences, vocational courses including agriculture, surveying, sculpturing, and

painting, as well as the art of self defense; he did some researches and collected
specimens; he entered into correspondence with renowned men of letters and sciences
abroad; and with the help of his pupils, he constructed water dam and a relief map of
Mindanao - both considered remarkable engineering feats. His sincerity and friendliness
won for him the trust and confidence of even those assigned to guard him; his good
manners and warm personality were found irresistible by women of all races with whom
he had personal contacts; his intelligence and humility gained for him the respect and
admiration of prominent men of other nations; while his undaunted courage and
determination to uplift the welfare of his people were feared by his enemies.

When the Philippine Revolution started on August 26, 1896, his enemies lost no time in
pressing him down. They were able to enlist witnesses that linked him with the revolt
and these were never allowed to be confronted by him. Thus, from November 3, 1986, to
the date of his execution, he was again committed to Fort Santiago. In his prison cell, he
wrote an untitled poem, now known as "Ultimo Adios" which is considered a
masterpiece and a living document expressing not only the hero’s great love of country
but also that of all Filipinos. 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.
http://www.joserizal.ph/bg01.html

Why Jose Rizal Is the National Hero?

It has always been a heated argument on who deserves to be called Philippine’s national hero,
Dr. Jose Rizal or Andres Bonifacio?

Why is Jose Rizal the national hero? It is interesting to note that Jose Rizal’s heroism was
recognized first by the colonizing Americans and later on by General Emilio Aguinaldo.

Recommended by the US Governor Taft

The Americans through the American Governor William Howard Taft recommended to the
Philippine Commission, which was sponsored by the US, to declare Jose Rizal as a national hero
for the Filipinos. The Americans recommended Rizal because of the fact that he was executed by
the Spaniards and of his peaceful way to achieve liberty. Unlike Andres Bonifacio whose desire
to achieve independence for his native land required armed approach. The Americans deemed
this approach to independence of Andres Bonifacio to be unacceptable and may inspire other
Filipinos to rebel against American rule. This is why Jose Rizal was chosen over him as the
national hero. Jose Rizal was declared as the greatest Filipino hero during the American
colonization after the Aguinaldo led armed forces were subdued during the Philippine-American
war.

December 30 as national day of mourning

General Emilio Aguinaldo was the first one to declare December 30 as a national day of
mourning in honor of Rizal and others who have died fighting the Spanish tyranny.

Pen as mightier than the sword

The Philippine revolution led by Andres Bonifacio was fueled by the writings of Jose Rizal, the
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which made a more lasting impression. This is one of
the best arguments of those who believe that Rizal is rightfully the national hero. Rizal was truly
an inspiration to many Filipinos during the Spanish period. According to the historian Rafael
Palma, Rizal was more deserving of the national hero title. Rizal was even thought to have
suggested that Antonio Luna lead the revolutionary forces since Luna has studied military
science which was a brilliant idea to lessen casualties against the powerhouse Spanish militia.
Rizal believed that only an army that was well prepared and had enough arms would ensure
victory .

Founder of La Liga Filipina

Jose Rizal founded the La Liga Filipina, a civic organization that led to the creation of the
Katipunan headed by Andres Bonifacio. This fact may already substantiate that Rizal’s title was
deserving since without the La Liga Filipina, Andres Bonifacio and his army would have been
non-existent.
Everything started with Rizal. Philippine Revolution against Spain started what was known as
the First Republic led by Emilio Aguinaldo.

For Rizal, violence or armed resistance only as a last resort and considered the restoration of the
people’s dignity as a justification means of achieving national liberation and self-rule. On the
other hand, Filipinos are also grateful to Andres Bonifacio’s legacy, his advocacy to an armed
revolution. We credit both Rizal and Bonifacio to have awakened the Filipino’s patriotic spirit

http://www.joserizal.com/jose-rizal-national-hero/

According to Renato Constantino, when the American

government conquered the island of the Philippines from the
Spanish government in 1896, the American government
established a commonwealth government after the Spanish
revolutionary government ceased to govern the country. At
this time of the Philippine history, Filipinos under the
commonwealth government started to frame up Filipino
national identities. When the question on who would be the
national hero arose, whether Rizal or Bonifacio, the American
government "guided" the Filipino people to choose Rizal. The
American rationale was based on Rizal's peaceful propaganda
and diplomatic approaches in attaining Philippine freedom
and independence, unlike Bonifacio who chose a bloody
revolution.

Whether this assessment is accurate or not, Dr. Rizal has been

considered a hero of the Philippines from the outset: a public
holiday was declared honouring Dr. Rizal in 1898, whereas
that for Bonifacio was not declared until 1921. Dr. Rizal was
considered to be his inspiration by Bonifacio himself. Even
without the assistance of US propaganda, Rizal would have
been honoured as a hero in the Philippines. Perhaps the effect
of the propaganda was less to boost Rizal and more to
denigrate Bonifacio.
http://drjoserizal.weebly.com/the-choosing-of-rizal-as-our-national-hero.html
Sining Pakikipagtalastasan ay isang paraan ng komunikasyon para tayong lahat ng mga Filipino ay mag
kakaintindihan at mag kaunawan sa isat isa.