1

“Veneration Without Understanding” by Renato Constantino

The article Veneration Without Understanding by Renato Constantino is all about

doubts and arguments about Rizal’s status as the national hero of the Filipino people. It
depicts how shallow the knowledge of the Filipinos is about Rizal and nationalism. In
other countries, to be a national hero, you should be a leader of a revolution. But it was
different with the Philippines; Rizal, being the national hero, repudiated the revolution
and was completely against it. This was never mentioned in history books; that’s why
people grew up knowing Rizal as a writer, a role model, and a national hero. The people
saw him as someone who would sacrifice everything for the country’s freedom. They
were blinded by the teachings of Rizal’s virtuous characteristics from elementary up to
secondary that we tend to not see the deeper story behind Rizal and the revolutionaries.

Rizal had other nationalistic interests such as the reform. The purpose of the
reform is to be a province of Spain and have equality between the Spaniards and
Filipinos. Because of this, Constantino was in doubt if Rizal should really be considered
as the national hero. It is us, who Constantino has been talking about in his title, people
who are used to adore Rizal until they have understood the true essence of being a
national hero.

The Philippine Commission was searching for the national hero as someone who
has the personality of detesting the idea of revolution and instead, was a governmental
reformist who wants liberty to be achieved in a peaceful way. Rizal was the perfect fit for
this. He was acknowledged as American-sponsored hero and was labeled as a limited
hero by Constantino. Rizal’s upper class background has certainly molded his
philosophy and restricted his grasp of the social reality that the lower classes are
experiencing. Because of this limitation, Rizal’s ambition for the Philippines to officially
be accepted as a Spanish province rather than a colony was created. However,
separatist movement refused that led to Katipunan revolt.

Throughout the years, it was instilled in my mind that Rizal made the greatest
contributions to our independence. His works opened the minds, eyes and
consciousness of the Filipinos from yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Not just because
he was in contradiction of the revolution means that he does not deserve to be the
national hero. He was against it because he wanted a revolution that is planned and
systematized. He didn’t want to risk the people who are involved in a battle that they
don’t have a chance of winning. I admire Bonifacio and other men involved in the
revolution for their braveness to stand up against the Spaniards to attain our freedom.
But let us face the truth, the revolution wasn’t prepared; it lacked money, men,
weapons, and moral empowerment that led to a total failure. Many lives have been
wasted because of their impatience. I’m sure Rizal would have supported the revolution
if he saw that the revolutionists were strong and stable enough to overthrow the colonial
government and establish a new government of their own. Rizal had everything planned
out. He was very much aware of the status of the Philippines in terms of education,
economics, and governance. These are the primary elements a dependent country
 2

should exploit if it combats to stand on its own. It was very well defined that the Filipino
people were not properly educated and so do not stand a chance for opportunities for
economics and minimal political publicities. This is why Rizal decided to be a reformist
than to be a revolutionist. As a reformist, if the Philippines will be a part of Spain,
Filipinos will be given the same rights and opportunities as what the Spaniards were
enjoying such as fair education, economic development, and political connections. As
soon as the Philippines attained these fundamental elements, then they’re ready to
prepare themselves for independence. All Rizal ever wanted is to accomplish stability
before attaining independence because with stability, everything else will follow. But,
this never happened. Today, we are becoming slaves again because of the prevailing
endless growth of corruption, increasing rate of poverty, crime, and education problems.

I think Constantino’s intention about the article is to convince people that Rizal
was unworthy to be the national hero. There are some quotes that Constantino has
justified that I disagree upon. As indicated by him, a man must be considered as a hero
if he is a revolutionist and participates in bloodshed. I have to oppose with this one, for
me, a hero is somebody who stands on principles, who fights for what he believes and
is not persuaded by the moments of passion and spirit. Who shapes a philosophy and
stays consistent with it. Who takes the long view and fights and dies for something
much better than impermanent grandness. Bloodshed without viewpoint, death without
being sanctified to a higher purpose, is pointless homicide. That is something that Rizal
could not disregard. He did not want to see useless death and homicide, when the end
result would have been the slaves becoming dictators themselves. Constantino likewise
called Rizal treasonous; as far as I can remember, Rizal was the main motivation
behind the production of the Filipino character. His works such as the Noli, Morga and
Fili were guides to patriotism and nationhood. If it weren’t for his works, the
revolutionists and the people wouldn’t have been inspired to fight for their country. Yes,
Americans were the one who recognized him as the Philippine national hero. As a
matter of fact, Aguinaldo ordered the first Rizal day in 1898. Therefore, the leaders and
the revolutionists have already honored Rizal well before the Americans.

I have noticed that the article has three strengths. First off, the readers are
reminded that everybody ought to have a resilient and deep understanding of what
characteristics make a true hero. Second, Filipinos should have a more profound sense
and level of comprehension in deciding a genuine hero. Lastly, everybody can be a hero
in light of the fact that Rizal should not be the main premise of deciding the Philippine
national objectives.

On the other hand, it has also three weaknesses. Firstly, it appears that the writer
was attempting to ruin the patriotism of the Filipinos since he exposed the thought of
Rizal as the Philippine national legend. Secondly, as per him, "we can't depend on Rizal
alone", yet I think, it is vital for the Filipinos to have a method of imitating Rizal. Lastly,
the writer passed on to the readers the thoughts of Rizal as an American supported
hero.
We can't change our history. What we can do is learn from it. We ought not erect
hindrances by our continuing expedition for a genuine hero and a genuine Filipino,
 3

which just sets to split us and lead us to our own particular annihilation as a country.
Only in solidarity shall we have the ability to take care of our grasping issues. Only in
solidarity shall we have the capacity to maintain our way of life as a Filipino race. Unity
is one thing which we don't have but which we incredibly require.