Rizal, the Filipino National Hero Rizal Declared as the Philippine National Hero ‘The first point that should be stressed in discussing the topic on Rizal as the National Hero of the Philippines is the issue of who selected him, either the Americans or Filipinos. The Philippine Revolutionary Government headed by Emilio Aguinaldo in Malolos, Bulacan was the first to celebrate the death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal on December 30, 1898. This day was marked as the day for national mourning and solemn observance of the death anniversary of the Filipino national hero. The following excerpts are presented to stress the point that the Americans only seized Rizal’s popularity to make it appear that they declared him as the Philippine national hero: Filipino Account An officer of the revolutionary government named Antonio Guevarra, who was sent to Lucban, Quezon in 1898, to accomplish a mission for the government, wrote the following observations: The town was in mourning with a flag at half mast at each house. I learned later that it was in commemoration of the anniversary of the tragic killing of the eminent Doctor Jose Rizal at the hands of the Spaniards in the execution ground of Baguimbayan (now Luneta)... American Account In another account by Mrs. Dauncey Compbell, an American author who visited the Philippines in December 31, 1904, she noted her observations while she was in Iloilo; she stated how the people in this place celebrated the death anniversary of Rizal. “I think you may be amused to hear about a Filipino Fiesta, which took place yesterday, called Rizal Day-- the anniversary of the death of the national hero, a Filipino by the name of Doctor Rizal.Life, Works and Writings of a Practical Nationalist, Tn other account presented in the book of Quibuyen ( 000), ager Mayo, an American journalist who visited the Philippines in the T° wrote a book about the country. She noted an observation in her a : crisis of 1923 in Surigao, which was called Surigao Colorum We eg ‘American offensive took four months to finally stop the problem- the beliefs of the Colorum insurgents: ) the During these festivities, a plague would break om oe, poe) 'o earth clear of all who had survived the war ees ot than, Be join the Colorum forces. The property of the wos ie vresided among, the faithful and Dr. Rizal would be crow ‘These accounts show clearly that Filipinos already ee Rut day every 30° of December, even before the coming of the during their conquest of the country in the 1900. ‘American Recognition of the Filipino Love for Rizal : es ion of Rizal became the national hero of the Philippines by the adaptation o' the Americans from the Filipino aspiration of Dr. Jose Rizal. The Americans wanted to pacify the Filipinos who were fighting them in the Filipino- ‘American war that started in the 1900 to 1907. The American Governor General William Howard Taft headed a commission named after him, the “Taft Commission”, chose Rizal as the na~ tional hero of the country after consultation with Filipinos. In line with this, the second Philippine Commission enacted the following legislations: * ‘Act Number 137, enacted by the Philippine Commission on June 11, 1900, this organized a politico-military district and named it ee tha Province of Rizal in honor of the most illustrious Filipino Act Number 243, enacted by the Philippi ‘ission i sna 28, 1901, which authorized eaten Europe re erection of i and @ monument in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal at Lu- Act Number 345, enacted by the Philippine Commi ; ae ee 1902, this act places every December 30" of the yous observance of the death anniversary of Dr. Jose . . RiRizal, the Filipino National Hero $$ Rizal Law The Republic Act 1425, known as the Rizal Law which was enacted in 1956, requires the teaching of the life, works and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal in all educational institutions in the Philippines. The sponsor of the law was the Jate Senator Jose P. Laurel, who firmly believed that Every country has lots of heroes. These heroes became such because they have done great things for their countries needs. In ancient time, heroes hailed from those who freed the country from their oppressors. Today, heroes were hailed not only from saving their country from the oppressors but from those who saved their countries from the problems they are facing like eco- nomic problems. Before, you have to die to become a hero but today, you do not need to so to become one. Our Overseas Contract Workers are particularly called heroes of today’s time because they help solve our economic problems. The Taft Commission. With the numerous heroes we have, there is one that shines and we called him National Hero. How does a national hero being chosen? In the case of the Philippine, the national hero was chosen during the American regime through a committee. They believe the Philippines must have a distinct hero which will be a model to the Filipinos in almost all aspects of life. The Taft Commission was given the responsibility to do job. This commission was headed by William Howard Taft. Members: Americans. W. Morgan Shuster, Bernard Moses, Dean Warcester and Henry Clay. Filipinos. Jose Luzuriaga, Gregorio Araneta, and Trinidad Pardo de Tavera. Criteria: 1. He must be a Filipino. 2. He is already dead. 3. He has immeasurable love for the country. 4, He has low temper and Since the Filipinos are emotional, 5. He died in a dramatic manner. Candidates: 1. Graciano Lopez Jaena, 2. Marcelo H. del Pilar, 3. Jose Rizal, 4. Emilio Jacinto and 5. Antonio Luna.Life, Works and Weng ofa Praia Naina _ All of the candidates answered the three first criteria. Emilio Jacinto and Antonio Luna did not fit the fourth criteria which is, has low temper since they used arms in their fight.. Graciano Lopez Jacna and Marcelo H. Det Pilar answered the fourth critirium but failed on the fifth since they both died of the tuberculosis. Jose Rizal answered the all the criteria since he died through a firing squad at Bagumbayan. Other known people who gave recognition on Rizal. Aside from the criteria used in choosing the national hero for the country, known and prominent people of the Philippines and through out the world also chose Jose Rizal the National Hero of the Philippines. Rizal is the greatest Filipino Hero because he is a man of honored. Even after death he received public worship, because of his exceptional service to mankind,. We can say that even before his execution, Rizal was already acclaimed by both Filipinos and foreigners as the foremost leader of his people. In Epistolario Rizalino Tomo Segundo, Fernando Acevedo wrote a letter to Rizal from Zaragoza, Spain, on October 25, 1889: “I see in you the model Filipino; your application to study and your talents have placed on a height which I revere and admire” On Dec 29, 1897, year after Rizal’s execution, General Emilio Aguinaldo and the other revolutionary chiefs exiled in Hong Kong held a Com- memorative program on the occasion of the first anniversary of the hero’s exe- cution and martyrdom. On Dec 20, 1898 at the revolutionary capital at Malolos, President Aguinaldo issued the first official proclamation making December 30, of that year as “Rizal Day”. It should further be noted that both the La Independencia, edited by Gen. Antonio Luna, and El Heraldo de la Revolution, official organ of the Revolutionary Government, issued a special supplement in honor of Rizal in one of their December issues in 1898. Andres Bonifacio was present on the founding of the La Liga Filipina which died shortly when Rizal was exiled to Dapitan. It was believed that he continued La ‘Liga Filipina by founding Katipunan. Among the foreigners who recognized Rizal as the leading Filipino of his time were Ferdinand Blumentritt, Dr. Reinhold Rost, and Vicente Bar- rantes, Prof. Blumentritt told Dr. Viola in May. 1887 that “Rizal was the great- est product of the Philippines and that his coming to the world was like the appearance of a rare comet, who rare brilliance appears only every other cen- tury”. Dr. Rost, Distinguished Malayologist and Librarian of the Indian Office in London called Rizal “una perla de hombre”. Dr. Vicente Barrantes had to admit that Rizal was “the first among the Filipinos” Dr. Rudolph Virchow, the President of the Anthropological Society of Berlin had scientific necrologi services especially to honor Rizal on November 20, 1896. Dr. Ed Seler even recited the German translation of Rizal’s “My last Farewell” on that occasion.a Rizal, the Filipino National Hero The newspapers, magazines and other periodicals throughout the civi- lized world- in Austria, Germany, France, Holland, London, the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Switzerland, and Latin America coun- tries- published accounts of Rizal's martyrdom in order to render homage to his greatness. Bonifacio or Aguinaldo as National Hero. Others believe that Bonifacio or Aguinaldo should be the National Hero, because they fought in revolution, while Rizal had cautioned against it. Although Bonifacio started the revolution through the Katipunan, he lost all his 29 battles, Aguinaldo surrendered to the Americans on March 23, 1901 in Palanan, Isabela. Rizal used the pen in his fight for the country, which proved to be more effective in destroying both the Spanish and America. They could not stop the ideas that Rizal fought and died for. The thoughts remain alive up to the present and they will continue to be weapons for our future oppressors. Why is Rizal Course being thought in College? In 1956 the Third Congress of the Philippines passed Republic Act No. 1425, an act to include the curricula of all public and private schools, col- lege and universities to have courses on the life, works and writings of Rizal particularly his two immortal novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, authorizing further the printing and distribution of such other material for use in the proper implementation of the law. Republic Act 1425 was sponsored by Jose P Laurel Jr. The law was approved on June 16, 1956 and implemented on Aug 16, 1956. Since then Ri- zal Course became a part of the collegiate curriculum. Rizal founded the fiber of the Filipino Nationalism that is rooted in Rizal’s ~ achievements for thé Philippines, by integrating Rizal’s achievements and teachings in the curriculum; this would benefit the Filipino youth to acquire the following traits: incorruptible, confidence, direction, courage and determina- tion. These traits would prepare the young Filipino in the college level to con- tribute in nation building and strengthen Filipino identity. The law in summary encourages the young Filipinos to the ideals of freedom and nationalism that was born from the blood of our heroes who fought and died to gain Philippine freedom from foreign colonizers. By study- ing the works of Rizal, the young Filipino student will give respect and tribute to the national hero. Patriotism has to be imbibed in studying the life and works of Rizal as indicated in his poem, “Love of Country.CHAPTER 2 The World in Rizal’s Time American Historical Events in Rizal’s Time Slave Emancipation United States of America The American Congress composed of Confederates and Union, from 1850 to 1861, lost balance over the issue of the African black slaves in Ameri- can soil. Due to economic considerations, the Americans who belonged to the Confederates insisted that slaves should remain as slaves in the United States. While the Americans who were with the Union, considered it a moral issue against God and humankind; therefore, they insisted on removing slavery in the country. In April 1861, two months before the birth of Rizal, the second American Revolution broke out between the Union and Confederates that lasted up to 1865, The Union, which was led by Abraham Lincoln, defeated the Confederates, The victory of Lincoln resulted to the following historical events in America: , > In September 22, 1863, President Lincoln issued the Negro Emancipa- tion, declaring the freedom of slaves and abolished slavery in the United States. > Years after the war, the Black Americans were considered citizens of the United States and were given voting rights to black men. Mexico French started its imperialistic act upon invading Mexico in June 1, 1861. Benito Juarez, a full-blooded Zapotec Indian who was the elected presi- dent of Mexico tried his best to resist the French invaders. Ho cannot secure help from Pres. Lincoln owning to the raging American Civil War. Finally, after the end of the American Civil War, Juarez, with U.S support, defeated Maximillian’s. French forces in the Battle. eS Laws passed by Juarez from his being the Minister of Justice and President of Mexico. > Separation of Church and State — this means that the Catholic Church has no right to intervene in any government transaction or policies. > Ended the Church ownership of lands — The Catholic Church lost its rights to own tracts of land such as the Hacienda. > Declared the right of freedom of speech, press, and assembly in the country 6————_ Life, Works and Writings of a Practical Nationalist Canada Six years after the birth of Rizal, in July 1, 1867, Canada gained its independence from Great Britain, This was through the approval of British Parliament. The confederation of the country leading to its independence was spearheaded by John A, McDonald who became the new nation’s first leader. He was considered as one of the Fathers of Confederation in Canada. Historical Events in Europe During Rizal’s Time Italy In Italy, Count Camillo de Cavour, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia, under the reign of King Victor Immanuel IL, worked for the unifica- tion of Italy. Using skillful allegiance in the European balance of power, Ca- vour made alliance with France and Great Britain. In 1859, with aid from the French, Cavour defeated the Austrians and acquired Lombardy. Later, three small kingdoms and one region from the Papal State joined Sardinia. In other development, Giuseppe Garibaldi, commander of the “red-shirts", manifested his bravery, patriotism, and love of liberty, that in 1860, with a thousand red— shirt troops, he crossed Genoa and removed the Bourbon King in Sicily and Naples; thus, the move integrated the two newly liberated kingdoms, to Sar- dinia. In March of 1861, four months before the birth of Rizal, Victor Imman- uel II was proclaimed King of Italy, due to the unification efforts of Cavour and Garibaldi. Germany In 1862, a year after the birth of Rizal, Otto Von Bismarck became Prussia’s prime minister. He strongly moved for the domination of Prussia and organized the unification of Germany under King. William I. He led the Prus- sian Army and defeated the Austrians in the,“Seven Week War.” Later he called for the North German Confederation and established its constitution. In July of 1870, Germany fought France in what was known in History as the Franco-Prussian war. The Germans from the north and south of the country unified themselves and defeated the French in January 1871. Because of the German victory on January 18, 1871, William J was crowned Emperor of Ger- many. England England emerged as the world’s imperialist power. She acquired the island of Hong Kong and forced the helpless Manchu Dynasty to aide Kowloon‘The World in Rizal’s Time \fler winning the three Anglo-Burmese wars (1824-26,1852 and squercal Burma, The empire subsequently took Ceylon (Sri-Lanka) en, Malaya, Singapore, Egypt, Australia and New Zealand z igisnd also implemented the following reforms that became known to Rizal when he stayed in the country in 1888 to 1889. > The Reform Bill of 1867 that gave the right to vote for working class men, > ‘The Ballot Act of 1872 which provided for the secret ballot for the working class. > The Education Act of 1870 and 1891 which provided for free educa- tion and required attendance of British students. In 1871, the restrictions on trade unions were removed, allowing workers to organize, picket and strike. France In France in the year 1852, the citizens overwhelmingly approved the rise in power of Emperor Napoleon III. The era in France became known as the Second French Empire, which conquered major countries in Europe and American continents, however, the empire was later defeated by Germany in 1871. Russia Czarist Russia conquered countries eastward of Asia like Siberia, Kamchatka, Kuriles and Alaska (which was later sold to the US for $7,200,000). The Empire conquered also the Muslim Khanates of Bokhara, Khiva and Kokand in Central Asia. On February 19, 1861, four months before Rizal’s birth, the new Czar of Russia named Alexander Il, decided to follow the economic and social model of westem countries in Europe. He proctaimed the emancipation of mil- lions of Russian serfs, provided new industries for workers, opened more schools, organized local councils and reformed the army. Historical Events in Asia ' The imperialism of western powers took its toll in the Asian continent dalting zal’ s time. This was because of western superiority in terms of weap- _ ons, aided by strong navy and trained troops. They forced their power in all of Asia,’ thus, many kingdoms and empires, which were established longLife, Works and Writings of a Practical Nationalist oe before the coming of the Buropeans, were extinguished or placed under west- em imperial control, India The Mogul Empire of India ended four years before the birth of Rizal. ‘The Sepoys (British trained native Indian soldiers) staged a mutiny and killed their British commanders and some British citizens living in India. Later, the Sepoy mutineers proceeded to Delhi arid offered their services to the Mogul Emperor to re-establish its influence and power in India, which was controlled by England and France. The British Empire became furious and made swift action, against the Sepoys and the Mogul Empire. Aided by loyal Indian troops, the British Army succeeded in putting down the rebellion and defeated the Mogul Empire. The punishment was harsh to the rebels and the last of the Mogul Emperor, Bahadur Shah II, was stripped of his power to rule India and was imprisoned by the British. Thus, the empire established by the Great Ak- bar, three centuries to the time of the Sepoy rebellion, was extinguished. The Mogul empire was integrated in the British controlled territories and later died out in the history of India. China In China, the Manchu Dynasty was faced with internal strife and ex- ternal problems. One of its major internal problems was the Tai Ping rebellion in 1852 up to 1864, In 1856, due to the misunderstanding regarding the terms in the China’s treaty with England and France, the two western powers de- clared war against China. The Anglo-French forces defeated China and cap- tured Peking in 1860. Because of China’s defeat, the Manchu rulers ceded to the following concessions: > China paid heavy indemnity to England and France and ceded Kow- oon to France, the peninsula found opposite of Hong Kong; and » Russia also took advantage of China and claimed its share by taking portions of large area of Manchuria lying in the East of the Ussuri River. After its external problems with the French and the British, the Man- chu rulers of China, hired Fredrick Townsendward, an American mercenary who offered his services to defeat the Tai Ping rebellion in exchange for huge amount of payment. Townsendward, together with his army of American men, trained Chinese and some Filipinos from the community in Shanghai to use American arms to fight the Tai Ping rebels. In 1864, while Rizal was a small boy in Calamba, Townsendward achieved his goal and crushed the rebellion.Japan In Japan in 1853, an Ameri 3, an American Naval Squadron led by Commodore Fees Perry entered the Bay of Tokyo without permission, and forced the okugawa Shogun to open two ports for American ships and merchants. Japan also signed other treaties with Great Britain, France, Russia and Holland. On January of 1868, seven years after the birth of Rizal, Emperor Mutsuhito declared the restoration of absolute authority of the Emperor in all of Japan. This was known in Japanese history as Meiji Restoration. With this change, the following steps were taken by the Japanese Emperor: > The government hired European experts as consultants to modernize Japanese industry. > Japanese scholars were sent to different western countries to study western forms of government, military science and western educa~ tional system. > Foreign educators were hired to teach Japanese students westemn tech- nology, arts and sciences, > Industrialized policies were adopted from western countries. There was then the restoration of the Meiji in Japanese political and social life, and the acceptance of western influences. In 1889, while Rizal was actively involved in the propaganda movement, Japan proclaimed its constitu- tion with a bicameral legislature. It also declared the Emperor as the Supreme Commander of the Japanese military force and held the sole authority to de- clare war and peace against other nations. South East Asia : South East Asia, during the time of Rizal, was in the same situation with China and India. They were constantly threatened and controlled by impe- rialism of Europe particularly France and England. Burma (now Myanmar) Ih Burma, the British colonizers exerted their power by using superior weaponry in occupying portions of the old Empire. They conquered Rangoon by 1886, while Rizal was in Euro) iti i: extingui Europe, the British colonizers extinguished the dynasty that was established by Alaungpaya in 1753.Life, Works and Writings of a Practical Nationalist French Indo-China In 1858-1863 France with the help of Filipino troops under Spanish offi- cers conquered Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos and named it. French Indo China. While Burma was struggling against the British in 1857, the execution of the Spanish Dominican Bishop in Tongking, paved the way for an excuse of the French to attack and occupy Southem Vietnam. In 1858, French troops aided by more than a thousand Filipino soldiers, sent by the Spanish Govern- ment from the Philippines attacked and occupied Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos that led to the following events: > In 1867, six years after the birth of Rizal, Saigon and the rest of South Vietnam was occupied by the French. > In 1883, while Rizal was in Europe, the entire Northern Vietnam was captured and the king was forced to sign a treaty that deprived him of power in all of Vietnam. > The French divided Vietnam into three parts, namely: Tongking (North Vietnam), Anam (Central Vietnam) and Cochin China (South Vietnam), > Laos and Cambodia were integrated to what became known as French -Indo China “Thailand Thailand is known as the “Land of the Free.” In 1851, it was there when Rama IV (Mongkut), a Buddhist monk, ascended to the throne. He en- couraged the entrance of western influences, signed treaties of friendship, and traded with western powers to avoid conflict. The following moves of the king and his successor proved crucial for the survival of the Kingdom: > The king hired a British teacher to teach westem education to his chil- dren and allowed British, French and Germans to establish business in the country without harm and danger. > Rama IV in 1868, seven years after the birth of Rizal, employed for- eign consultants and sent Thai students to western countries, Indonesia The Dutch in 17" century colonized Indonesia which they then integrated to the Netherlands East Indies