POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

STA. MESA, MANILA

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Department of Computer Engineering

SALAMAT, RUEL O.
BSCOE 2-3
Life and Works of Rizal – GEED 10013
Prof. Jacinto R. Valila Jr.

Does Rizal deserves to be our national hero?

Veneration Without Understanding by Renato Constantino

Renato Constantino's paper entitled "Veneration Without Understanding" addresses

about skepticism and exchanges concerning Jose Rizal's place as the Philippine public idol.
Now, the question that seemingly until now no one knows the answer, is Jose Rizal consider or
really our national hero? Is there a need for a single National Hero? Renato Constantino did not
intend to smear our perceptions of Rizal's heroism but rather he just reflected on what
happened on the other side of history, which was twisted over us multitudinous decades ago.
The story of Jose Rizal's execution by the Spanish social authority has been passed down
through the generations, and it has deprived our brainpower since we noway know what lies on
the other side of our history. People grew up knowing Rizal as a pen, a part model, and a public
idol because this was the bone that is mentioned in different history books the ever written by
various scholars and to the pictures that ever printed. We grew up seeing him as someone who
would give up all he would for the sake of the country's independence

Renato Constantino tried to bridge the gap in our understanding of Rizal and his
influence in the Philippine revolution. He examined the significance and recognition of Rizal as
our public idol and whether he merited it over the other prominent individualities that led the
revolutionary movement and shared in it. For it should be the leader of the revolution who'll be
considered as the idol, not someone apprehensive of the problems in our country yet didn't use
his preeminence and influence among people to endorse for the fight against the pioneers. Jose
Rizal’s conception about the independence and liberty of a country is also scanned. How he
held on to his belief that freedom must come from over or differently it'll only be temporary and
that it should be commodity we should earn like a order for good geste. Constantino also
perceived the character of Rizal as obscure and nebulous since the said public idol repudiated
and condemned the revolution for he image it as absurd and disastrous that would only lead to
the destruction of our land and the death of numerous Filipinos. It was also bandied that Rizal
was favored by the Americans as the public idol because they knew that he'll not run against
their social policy and due to his being an illustrador, the American pioneers made Rizal a part
model for the Filipinos so that the millions won't strive against them just like Rizal.

We can not deny the fact that his contributions to our country specifically his notations
and some of his testaments and principles have yet been salutary to the awakening of the
nationalist spirit among the Filipinos. Anyhow of Rizal’s contributions to the development of our
country, I agree with the writings of Constantino’s that Jose Rizal is just a moment in Philippine
history for he may be good of reverence and recognition we should not let his life story and
martyrdom overlook other important figures in our history. Rather, we must concentrate on the
real history of our Filipino brethren especially those who did not stagger to take part in the fight
for our rights rather than Jose Rizal’s history alone. Having that said, indeed though Rizal is
considered the public hero, the Philippines' history should not just revolve around him.

Following Jose Rizal's dramatic death, we shifted to American social control, yet social
authorities remained ruled over the Filipino cause. This may be seen when, at the advice of the
Americans, Rizal was chosen as our public idol, an image to follow. Indeed though the selection
was assigned to a Philippine Commission, it can not be denied that the Americans controlled
the process. Likewise, the maturity of the members of the Philippines Commission were
ilustrados. American’s decision about
Jose Rizal being the public idol was poisoned because all of his rates favored the Americans, as
well as the ilustrados, who was Jose Rizal's kind. We may conclude that Rizal's nomination as a
public idol was grounded on two crucial factors. One was his status as a leftist who opposed the
Philippine revolution's desire for independence. The Americans considered this as a benefit
since it spared them from having to manage with a race of revolutions by the Filipino people.
Another factor is that Rizal promoted education, which is veritably American. It may thus be
concluded that the Americans retained authority and control over the selection of our public idol
and that the elite class continued to rule indeed under American social rule, entirely ignoring the
Filipino millions' opinion.

Jose Rizal’s conduct of fighting for reforms and not for independence show his true tone
as an ilustrado. Being an ilustrado, he was of different societies and views from the common
millions. His disposition of condemning the revolution can be accredited to his ilustrado point of
view. An underestimation of the Filipino Indios and believing that the result to stop oppression
and gain freedom is education and submission to the tyrants themselves. It's a naïve way of
thinking that makes us further dependent on the pioneers rather of carrying freedom by
ourselves. Indeed with a different opinion on Philippine independence, he was still admired and
admired by the millions and indeed those in the revolution. This admiration of the locals towards
Rizal would be latterly used in action by other pioneers. The Americans incorporated Rizal’s
beliefs in incubating the social intelligence of the Filipinos. By administering education, they
would emphasize that education is the correct path for independence while transubstantiating
the government to be their dollies. Rizal and the ilustrados show submission in the belief of a
lesser power granting us the independence that we need. They failed to realize that in the
process of revolution and freedom, the people also learn and ameliorate themselves. Rizal was
reluctant in attaining independence for the people on the belief that we aren't yet ready.
Liberation, still, was just the morning and not the end thing. The eventuality of the people in their
development only comes from when they're truly free. We should have been more dependent
on ourselves as Filipinos and not on our pioneers. Unlike Rizal, a more applicable
representation and symbol of the millions is Bonifacio and the Katipunan. They were the
movement for independence that Rizal was lacking. The launch of the factual struggle to in
liberating the Philippines was made by the Indios and not the ilustrados. The idea and
articulation were only enhanced by them, but they just strived for reforms for a long time. As the
revolution started gaining instigation, the ilustrados also joined the movement with a different
docket. That's why Rizal should be only viewed as someone who helped in the nationalist
expression of the people and the movement. He acted heroically as a fatality, but the factual
movement should be accredited more towards the Indios. Renato Constantino doesn't disregard
Rizal’s benefactions towards our ultimate thing of independence. He only wanted to appropriate
the view of present Filipinos towards Rizal. Rizal is blindly adored without completely
understanding history and his part in the revolution. This great adoration overshadows those
who are in the factual revolution and displaces the respect and recognition they earn.

The fact that the revolution and consequent independence are not accredited to a single
individual cannot be denied. The situation of the country forces these individuals to act for
change. Even though history is formed and shaped by men and the people, it is still important to
identify and assess the circumstances surrounding them. A hero of the oppressed is born from
the difficulties and struggles of the people. Rizal also came from a period of economic and
political changes in the country. Economic changes spawned by the Spanish caused
improvement towards other sectors in the Philippines. Along with this, the Chinese also started
gaining economic power by controlling imports of European goods in the country. Improvements
in communications through postal services and telegraphs, transportation on road systems and
railroads, and modernization of other systems such as water and electricity led to new
possibilities in commerce. An economic revolution was on its way and the Filipinos started
seeking equal opportunities. The masses started realizing their desire for equal grounds in
terms of economy with the Spanish. It was regarded as the start of nationalism within the
Filipinos. This underdeveloped form of nationalism was further articulated by Rizal. It is also
important to note that the people are as important as the events that surround them. His actions
of demanding reforms and fighting for equality for Filipinos regardless of social class resonated
throughout the country. His pleas with the Spanish colonizers for the assimilation of the country
to Spain changed into separation and his writings and propaganda as a peaceful revolt aroused
the mind of the Filipinos towards a full-scale revolution. Even though he did not for complete
independence, he helped in appropriating the term “Filipino.” The term originally referred to
Spaniards who are born in the Philippines called the creoles. After some time, the locals or
Indios also started referring to themselves as Filipinos. Rizal along with other indies gave an
identity to these Indio Filipinos which gave them honor. It also showed a resemblance of
equality towards the Spanish in terms of their culture. His contribution towards the nationalism
of Filipinos cannot be denied nor erased. Though he is an individual in one point of Philippines
history, he became a large factor in uniting the Filipinos through nationalism

Jose Rizal as a public idol is greatly deified but also greatly overestimated. His story and life
have been tutored since nonage, but his excrescencies are neglected or de-emphasized. As a
result, without farther examination, people have put Rizal at a high pedestal and a base for
what's supposed to be a perfect Filipino. Ultramodern Filipinos are being compared to Rizal and
icons should be just like Rizal according to utmost people. A idol should be someone who's for
the people and acts in the interest of the millions and a true Filipino should be someone fully
liberated from all pioneers. Despite Rizal’s benefactions, to be called the public idol for being a
fatality and propagating nationalism is a bit of a stretch. Rizal is someone in the right moment to
be one of the catalysts of the movement that produced Filipino icons. He understood the state of
the nation and acted upon it but not the desire of the millions to be truly free. A person who
considers being a fiefdom of Spain and not an independent country of the Philippines isn't a
Filipino public idol.
The intelligence and excellence that Rizal held couldn't be deniable. From his once workshop,
he published books containing information about what was going on in the history of our country,
him being an ophthalmologist and adding the fact that as well as his knowledge of what was
passing since he was a child. Grounded on the books that talk about him, the nationalism he
has been displayed through his workshop. His chops in jotting, which he also used to apply
information and his own gests under the governance of the tyrants, made it possible for other
people to learn about the cruel treatment of the pioneers. Using paper and essay, he expressed
his sympathy through papers, essays, and books. It was relatively wise to do that rather of
immolating himself by violent styles, as he took what he allowed was a peaceful way. After all,
he wanted to serve other countries rather than his land of birth that it gave a severe extremity to
the Filipinos working in the movement to achieve independence. People moment shouldn't be
eyeless to this fact just because of his different way, because the offerings of our
.
fellow countrymen in the history are losing significance. It was reported in his fiat on December
15, 1896, that Rizal wasn't in favor of the movement taking place to gain freedom through the
system of revolution and the use of violence that led to crime. He is not involved in the
revolution posed a peril to Filipinos in the history. And it left a opprobrious comment to other
Rizalists as it only made it harder to achieve the freedom they want to have. The significance
that should be given and he also should be honored further is overshadowed by Rizal's
character. Contrary to what's supposed to have contributed to the emancipation of the Filipino,
what he did and said will inescapably be done by a snake. It's sad knowing that the honored
public idol who must be serving our people and immolate his life for the sake of other Filipinos
who fought against the raiders is a slave of another tyrannizer who benefits further from his
intelligence and chops.

Without Rizal, the history we know will not be the same as we know. Still, the author stressed
that indeed if Rizal did not crop in history there is another existent who will take his place and
lead history in a kindly similar pattern or revolutions will still take place indeed though liberation
is not developing swiftly. This statement or idea makes us realize that history is not about the
people just like in the book, A History Readdressed, the struggle is the reason why there is
history, history does not concentrate on an existent. This struggle will make an individual or
indeed a society have a result in addressing it. Indeed without Rizal, the struggle will make an
individual. develop the liberation of the millions, indeed without Rizal’s notations, there will be an
individual to. publish notations on what is the reality in the colonization period. Indeed without
the blessing of Rizal, a revolution may have started.
In Rizal’s period, the profitable substance was taking place, along with the abuse the Filipinos
have endured, they ask to be one or be equal with the Spaniards rather than being free from
colonization. This thinking makes the people transgress down from the idea that they are
suffering due to settlers and being one or equal with them will make the country suffer more.

Still, this idea did not rattle Rizal as he was seeing what reality is and spreading it to the
millions using his notations that established liberation and sparked the revolution which is a big
donation in asking freedom from the tyrannizers.

The author in his last section of the paper also explained that Rizal is not good, or at least not
enough to be our National Hero. He stated that the National Hero should be one with the mass
who substantiation what the millions are passing. I agree with this statement as you can not
represent the millions and be the representation of nationalism when you did not witness the
struggles firsthand. The hero should be also an relief to motivate the people to fight for what is
right for the economy and country. As we are discovering the verity about our history, further
and further people are liberated with the imperfect acts of the “ icons'' that we are supposed to
adulate and learn from in terms of nationalism. There are still individualities who need to be
credited as icons and there are icons who are not good of that title presently. Just like Jose
Rizal, there are icons whose contributions are yet to be discovered which can outshine the
heritage of Rizal. I agree with the author that Rizal does not fit the order of being the National
Hero she did not immediate experience the struggles of the Filipino people and is limited due to
his class. He is also declared as the public hero by the Americans which is used to trick us into
not having revolts. However, also history will not be deformed and those who are good of being
a hero will be given recognition, If the Americans did not minimize the achievements or
contributions of the other heroes. However, also he would have contributed more and continued
the revolution which will be remembered by the people and be given credit as the National Idol,
If Bonifacio was not betrayed by Aguinaldo. I believe that Bonifacio should be the National Hero
as he led the revolution, as he endured the struggle of the Filipino people at the hands of the
tyrannizers, as he speaks for the people, as he loves the country, which is seen in his letters, as
he believes that they can achieve liberty once they are free from the settlers. As I read along
with the paper, I have the idea that Rizal is the cause of why the revolution has sparked through
his notations, still, that is the only donation of his that I can suppose of and there are so
multitudinous excrescencies that a single donation can cover up. One of his notorious citations
says “Kabataan ang pagasa ng bayan”, still, he who wrote it failed to give the millions hope as
he turned down the idea of independence from the tyrannizers
.
And to respond the problems that we're entrusted with, then my take, the first question to
answer is that if I'm in favor of Constantino's view about Jose Rizal, based on my opinion,
Renato Constantino's work, is indeed right well at least for me. Aside from giving his opinion
about Jose Rizal being our national hero and gaining good amount if information through it, It
also allowed me to appreciate other icons of our country who were more devoted and gave their
blood and sweat to achieve freedom under the oppression of raiders. It also served as a beacon
of light in the history, allowing that he should be conceded despite his discrepancy to the
Revolution of our people. I'm pleased to read it because it gave way to other icons who devoted
their lives for our benefit aren't given the proper recognition and honor and I suppose that’s
veritably illegal and disappointing for their side. Above all, it served as clarity for me to look
nearly at the offerings of some icons in our history who also need to be conceded for their
sweats and essential courage. Despite the difficulties, they were suitable to uphold the freedom
they were fighting for. Indeed though there’s no guarantee that their sweats won't go to waste,
they still offered their lives and gave everything they have. Jose Rizal's action may be tainted,
but we should not also fail to fete him as a idol of our own country. We don't condemn and
patronize him as it could abate other heroic deeds that were made by other Filipinos back also.