VENERATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING

Renato R. Constantino

1. INTRODUCTION
A. Synopsis of the article
 Dr. Jose P. Rizal is revered to as Philippine’s national hero. His heroic deeds that sparked
the revolution were taught at schools, but have they taught the students that he might
not be fit to take that role? What was his real objective when he made his most
prominent works? Who decided to make him take such a huge title many years after his
death? Do we have the what it takes to subject him in a more mature historical
evaluation? All of this questions and many more shall be answered by this article by Mr.
Renato R. Constantino.
B. Background of the author
 RENATO REYES CONSTANTINO
o Born: March 10, 1919 in Manila
o Died: September 15, 1999 in Quezon City
o Parents: Amador Constantino and Francisca Reyes
o Spouse/Children: Letizia Roxas / 2
o Education:
 Elementary : Bonifacio Elementary School, Manila
 Secondary : Arellano High School, Manila
 College : University of the Philippines
 Mr. Constantino was a major influence for many students in opening up their
minds and being critical about Philippine history and current situations. Which
resulted on him being branded as a “security risk” by state intelligence agencies.
However, this did not stop him in publishing scholarly books and articles that
aroused young minds to think critically and voice out their opinions towards the
injustices we experienced and experiencing.
C. Objective of the author
 His objective in creating this article is to further the understanding of the Filipino citizens
of how we were controlled by the Americans from the backgrounds, that even our
national hero was chosen for theirs and the conservatists benefit. It is also to wake up
our minds that we have to step up as we are still yet to be liberated from the chains of
the past.

2. ANALYSIS
 The article is well-written and the reader could very well know that the author was well-versed
in history and he knows what he is writing. The author cited many works to strengthen the
credibility of his argument and divided the article into parts for a clearer view of what it is he
were pointing out.
 It started by showing Rizal’s point-of-view of the Revolution the he inadvertently sparked. He
said in his manifesto that he did not desire blood to be shed and abhors the criminal methods
and disclaim being part of it. He wants change, but in a peaceful manner. The article then
started to analyze deeply what is treated by Rizalists as the “skeleton in his closet”.
  It is true that he had been the trigger for the revolution, however, as the article pointed out,
with or without him, the revolution will start, even if a tad bit late and this now arises the
question of his credibility as our national hero. Yes, he indeed helped Filipinos realize the
oppression and take arms for it and be treated as a hero, but as his intentions were equality and
not separation from the colonizers, was he truly qualified to be the national hero?
 Dr. Rizal was chosen by a few Filipinos and American politicians as the national hero of the
Philippines and this speaks volumes of the historical manipulation by declaring him as the
national hero. It is subtle, however if analyzed carefully, there is a hidden agenda for this. As
schools have taught us in history since elementary, America is the second colonizer of the
Philippines but there is a catch. They always taught the good things that this colonizer did and
only a bit of data on the things they did wrong to our fellowmen. The same could be said as they
chose our national hero. They picked one that could not defame them. One who fought gallantly
with his pen and not be a courageous battle in the frontlines. They masked their intentions too
well that for many years, only a handful of people could tell that they still have their leash
reigned on us.

3. CONCLUSION
 In conclusion, this article made me realize that there is more than meets the eye. Just as how we
can be manipulated so easily without being seen right away and I am delighted that there are
still people who choose not to give up and still spread the word to open the minds of the
masses. Before I thought that there are many brave warriors who deserved the title more