Dhencess Paster

Critical Paper on: Veneration without Understanding and The Rizal Law

For decades, we have recognized and honor Dr. Jose Rizal as the epitome of a true
nationalist and a patriot. Through his works, Filipinos in the past were awakened and this impact
remains up until today as we continue to owe our independence through his bravery and initiative
to gain freedom. However, just like the other heroes of our country who has faced controversies,
Rizal’s intentions and credibility to be hailed as our national hero was questioned and has sparked
debates as to whether he deserve the title and the recognition the Filipinos have been giving him
for the past years. In this paper, we will unveil and lay out arguments that explains as to why we
seem to be blinded by what the history says is true and believable.

On his article entitled “Veneration without Understanding” Professor Renato Constantino

expressed his sentiments and doubts if Rizal deserves to be called the “hero” of the people even
with the fact that he had clearly opposed and repudiated the revolution back in the days when we
are still fighting for our independence. Rizal himself stressed that he was against the revolution
because he had different plans for the reform he wishes to accomplish for the country and this is
to make the Philippines a province of Spain to guarantee equal treatment for the Filipino people.
If we look on the brighter side of this issue, Rizal was only being realistic because he knew that
the revolt Bonifacio and his men were planning is a hopeless case and a clear win for the Spaniards
because they have the edge in having weapons, greater in number and their country has enough
resources that can support and finance any possible wars. Rizal as a reformist, chose to use his pen
as a weapon to fight the foreign ruling rather than risking the lives of his countrymen to fight a
bloody war against the Spaniards. Constantino’s arguments in his article clearly questions Rizal’s
credibility to be the national hero for he didn’t want the revolution in the first place, which despite
of his defiance still pushed through under Bonifacio’s leadership. However, in his article,
Constantino also educated his readers by telling them to be mindful of what really makes a person,
a hero. He has also carved to his readers minds their right to know and dig deep to have a thorough
and wide understanding and knowledge to be fully aware of our country’s history as well as the
loopholes in it.
 Personally, I think the focus should not be on what title Rizal deserves. Events in the past
cannot be undone and changed but we can always be the tool for it not to happen again. It is
undeniable that Rizal and his works created a big impact and has paved way for many of us to
know the injustices of the past. Today, with the mandate of the Rizal law also known as the RA
1425, also known as an act that states to include in the curricula of all public and private schools,
colleges and universities courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal particularly his
novels El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere, we are given the chance to take part of the change
we wish to see in the world. As the future of our generation, this law will help us students to
develop our sense of nationalism especially during these years when we decide on which careers
to take. Our goal is not to copy or imitate Rizal and the things he did for our country but for us to
embrace our own culture, language and identity amidst the challenges of modernization and
globalization.