The Criterias for Heroes

The National Historical Institute (NHI: presently the National Historical Commission of the Philippines),
the country’s agency in charge of historical matters, prescribes the passage of 50 years before a person
is confirmed as a hero.

The historical committee of the National Heroes Commission came out with the characteristics of a
person to be examined before he can be considered as a hero. These are the extent of the person’s
sacrifices for the welfare of the country.

1. Motives and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal.

In the attainment of the ideal, did the person concerned sacrifice purely and exclusively for the welfare
of the country or were there any selfish motives in the making of the sacrifices?

2. The moral character of the person.

Did he do anything immoral to taint his personal character? If there was any immorality, did it affect his
work, society, or ideal?

3. The influence of the person to his age or epoch and the succeeding eras.

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Rizalistas- believe that Rizal has a Latin name “Jove Rex Al”, which literally means “God, King of All”.

Rizal as Tagalog Christ

After Rizal’s execution, peasants in Laguna were also reposted to have regarded him as “the Lord of a
kind of paradise in the heart of Mount Makiling.”

Miguel de Unamuno a Spanish writer and philosopher gave Rizal the title “Tagalog Christ”

Other Tagalog Christ…

Apolinario de la Cruz who founded religious confraternity Cofradia de San Jose

Felipe Salvador known as Apo Ipe, who founded the messianic society Santa Iglesia

Rizalistas believe that Rizal, just like Jesus Christ, would eventually return to life and save the mankind.

Comparison of Rizal and Christ according to Rizalistas.

“Both were Asians, had brilliant minds and extraordinary talents. Both believed in the Golden Rule,
cured the sick, were rabid reformers, believed in the universal brotherhood of men, and were closely
associated with a small group of followers. Both died young (Christ at 33 and Rizal at 35) at the hands of
their enemies. Their lives changed the course of history.”

The Canonization of Rizal: Tracing the roots of Rizalistas

The earliest record about Rizal being declared as a saint that of his canonization initiated by the
Philippine Independent Church (PIC) or La Iglesia Filipina Independiente. Founded on August 3, 1902. In
1903, the PIC’s official organ published the (Proceedings of the Canonization of the Great Martyrs of the
country DR. Rizal and Father Burgos, Gomez and Zamora). On September 24, 1903 the council bishops
headed by Gregorio Aglipay canonized Jose Rizal and the three priests following the Roman Catholic
rites.

ADARNISTA or the IGLESIANG PILIPINA

FOUNDER: CANDIDA BALANTAC “Inang Adarna”, “maestra”, “Espiritu Santo”

ORGANIZATIONS NAME: ADARNISTA

Believe in the ff:

1. Rizal is a god of the Filipino people.

2. Rizal is true god and a true man.
3. Rizal was not executed as has been mentioned by historians.
4. Man is endowed with a soul; as such, a man is capable of good deeds.
5. Heaven and hell exist but are, nevertheless, “within us”
6. The abode of the members of the sect in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija si the New Jerusalem or Paradise.
7. The caves in Bongabon are the dwelling place of Jehovah of God.
8. There are four persons in God: God the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost, and the Mother (Virgin
Mary).
In Adarnista chapel, one can see images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Our
Lady of Perpetual Help, and in the center is the picture of Rizal. Picture of PH heroes like Luna, Burgos,
del Pilar, Mabini, Bonifacio, etc. can also be found.

Has 10, 000 followers

SAMBAHANG RIZAL “RIZAL CHURCH”

FOUNDER: BASILIO AROMIN (a lawyer in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija, in 1918) held the title “Pangulu Guru”

Claim that Sambahang Rizal was established to honor Rizal who was sent by Bathala to redeem Filipino
race. Aromin believed that Rizal is son of Bathala.

El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere serve as their bible. Churches have altars displaying PH flag and
Rizal.

Has 7, 000 followers.

IGLESIA WATAWAT NG LAHI

Former Samahan ng Watawat ng Lahi.

Established by PH national heroes and Arsenio de Guzman in 1911.

The aims of the organization:

1. To love God above all things

2. To love one’s fellowman as one loves himself

3. To love the motherland

Beliefs:

1. The teachings of the sect are based on the commands of the Holy Moses, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and
the teachings of Dr. Jose Rizal culled from his writings.

2. Christians believe in the Trinity: the power of the father was given to Moses; the power of the Son,
given to Jesus Christ; and power of the Holy Ghost was given to Rizal.

3. Jesus Christ is embodied in Rizal and hence, Rizal is at once a god and a man.

4. Rizal is not dead; he is alive and physically and materially present in the New Jerusalem which is
presently hidden in the site extending from Mt. Makiling to Mt. Banahaw.

5. It is the voice of Rizal which commands the officials and the members what to do.

6. If WWIII breaks out, numberless people will be killed by atomic weapons. But after the war, Dr. Rizal
will make an appearance to the new world, and he will lead the arm of God.

7. Man has a soul, but a soul that is different from the soul of Dr. Rizal, for Rizal is God. 3 days after his
death and if he was holy in life, man will rise again and his soul will proceed to the New Jerusalem. If he
did not fulfill the commandments of God, the soul is not to be punished in hell (for there is no hell) but
will be made to work in a place opposite the New Jerusalem.

8. There is a particular judgment (the soul is judged 3 days after death) and the last judgment (when all
the creatures will be judged).

*With 100, 000 followers

SUPREMA DE LA IGLESIA DE LA CIUDAD MISTICA DE DIOS, INC. (CIUDAD MISTICA)

FOUNDER: MARIA BERNARDA BALITAAN (MBB) “Suprema”

REGISTERED: 1952

Have 5000 members at the foot of Mt Banahaw in Brgy. Sta. Lucia. 100, 000 followers around the
country.

Believe that as a result of endless conflicts among countries in WEST ASIA, God decided to transfer His
“Kingdom” to the Philippines particularly in Mt. Banahaw.

For Ciudad Mistica, Jesus Christ work is still unfinished and it will be continued by Dr. Jose Rizal and the
“twelve lights” of the PH composed of the 19 th century heroes. Their work will be fulfilled by a woman in
the person of MBB.