JOSE RIZAL: THE BEST THE FILIPINO COULD BE

By Conrado de Quiros

SUMMARY
This article stipulates that Jose Rizal is the greatest among Filipinos that is why it is
with great virtue to call him as the National Hero of the Philippines. It explained that Rizal
used the very effective way of battling, not through guns and swords but through words to
enable him to defend his beloved country and to inspire his fellow Filipinos. Thus, Rizal is
an extraordinary indio, the greatest Filipino antagonist, and the best the Filipino could be.
HIGHLIGHT
“But he wasn’t just saying no to oppression, he was also saying yes to
enlightenment. He was saying yes to a Filipino race that could be free and prosperous and
wise.” What Rizal did was not particularly defending the Philippines from Spaniards
colonialism but it also gave inspiration to Filipinos to be better and be proud of their race.
Through his writings, he fought more than those in the battlefield because he also
reminded his nation to be wise and to prosper. This gave his fellow Filipinos the hope that
they will be able to surpass the Spanish regime.
REACTION
Rizal is the greatest antagonist among Filipinos. He really is. His way of facing
challenges and fighting for his nation was unique and very effective. He used his being a
genius to defend his beloved country. Rizal was an extraordinary indio. By his educational
background and attainment, the Spaniards were scared of him. He was a doctor, a painter,
a poet, a philosopher, a magician and a lot more. He exercised all his privileges to
becoming better in order for the achievement of his secret mission which is to free his
fellow Filipinos from oppression. As I remembered on some articles that I have read, it was
Paciano who stated that the purpose of Rizal in going to Spain was not merely to study but
also to find solutions to free his country.
It was also argued that Andres Bonifacio should be hailed as the greatest hero
among Filipinos. I have also read some websites stating that Emilio Aguinaldo is more
deserving than Bonifacio and Rizal. This is for the reason that Bonifacio and Aguinaldo
fought in the Revolution and Rizal did not. Comparing these three great heroes is like
comparing apples and oranges. But the greatest question is who among the three had
really succeeded in fighting for freedom? Even in different yardsticks, I can say that both
Aguinaldo and Bonifacio had lost their fights against stronger armies from Spain and
America. I also got an idea from a book that Bonifacio had failed all his 29 battles, and as
every schoolchild knows, Aguinaldo surrendered to the Americans in 1901. But now, as for
Rizal he used his pen which is acclaimed as a weapon that is mightier than the sword, he
conducted a nonviolent crusade and through this, he made him suffered his martyrdom. In
the end, it was proved that he had the most effective and influential way in defending his
country and in destroying the Spanish and American regime in the Philippines. Both armies
of Spain and America cannot stop Rizal’s ideas that was why they shoot him to death. Rizal
died for his ideas in fighting for freedom. It cannot be denied that Bonifacio was disavowed
by his countrymen and Aguinaldo conceded. But Rizal won over all of them, to the
Filipinos, Spaniards and Americans.
Jose Rizal had proven many significant achievements that he himself made into
reality. He was not just an ordinary Filipino, but the greatest of us all. He is well-deserving
to be hailed as the best the Filipino could be.