CJ AUSTRIA

JOSE RIZAL AS NATIONAL HERO

Teodoro Andal Agoncillo (November 9, 1912 – January 14, 1985) was a prominent 20th-
century Filipino historian. He and his contemporary Renato Constantino were among the first Filipino
historians renowned for promoting a distinctly nationalist point of view of Filipino history. He is known
as a nationalist author whose books, essays, and poetry often reflects the point of view of the
Filipino masses. His book History of the Filipino People is widely used as textbook and some
students consider it as their bible in studying the history of the Philippines.

His arguments notes that the Philippine national hero, unlike those of other countries, is not "the
leader of its liberation forces". Renato Constantino writes that Rizal is a "United States-
sponsored hero" who was promoted as the greatest Filipino hero during the American colonial
period of the Philippines – after Aguinaldo lost the Philippine–American War. The United States
promoted Rizal, who was taken to represent peaceful political advocacy, instead of more radical
figures whose ideas could inspire resistance against American rule. Specifically, Rizal was
selected over Bonifacio who was viewed as "too radical" and Apolinario Mabini who was
"unregenerate."

Despite popular recognition of Rizal as "the Philippine national hero", the title itself has no
explicit legal definition in present Philippine law. Rizal and Bonifacio, however, are given the
implied recognition of being national heroes because they are commemorated annually
nationwide – Rizal Day on 30 December and Bonifacio Day on 30 November. According to the
website of the National Center for Culture and the Arts: Despite the lack of any official
declaration explicitly proclaiming them as national heroes, [Rizal and Bonifacio] remain admired
and revered for their roles in Philippine history. Heroes, according to historians, should not be
legislated. Their appreciation should be better left to academics. Acclamation for heroes, they
felt, would be recognition enough.