RIZAL-L3-INPUT

LESSON 3: REMEMBERING RIZAL

In exploring this lesson, we shall be guided by the following learning objectives:

1. To evaluate Rizal’s heroism and importance in the context of Rizalista groups

2. To discuss the history of selected Rizalista groups
3. To compare and contrast the different views on Rizal among the Rizalistas

A. RIZAL’S HERIOISM AND IMPORTANCE AMONG THE RIZALISTAS

1. Some important terms:
a. Millenarian groups – socio-political movements who generally believe in the coming of a
major social transformation with the establishment of the Kingdom of God
b. Rizalista – a religious movement that believes in the divinity of Jose Rizal
c. Jove Rex Al – the Latin name of Jose Rizal according to Rizalistas; Jove means God; Rex
means king; and Al means all (therefore, God, king of all)
2. Rizal as the “Tagalog Christ”
a. In 1907, Spanish writer and Philosopher Miguel de Unamuno gave Rizal the title
“Tagalog Christ” as religious organizations venerating him had been formed in different
parts of the Philippines.
b. The Rizalistas, which have risen in some parts of the country after Rizal’s death in 1896,
believe that Rizal, just like Jesus Christ, would eventually return to life and will save
mankind.
c. People say the parallel between the two lives (Rizal and Jesus) being sent into the world
to fulfill a purpose and mission.
d. Reincarnation in the context of Rizalistas means that both Rizal and Jesus led parallel
lives:
(1) Both were Asians, had brilliant minds and extraordinary talents.
(2) Both believed in the Golden Rule, cured the sick, were rabid reformers, believed in
the universal brotherhood of men and were closely associated with a small group of
followers.
(3) Both died young (Christ at 33 and Rizal 35) at the hands of their enemies.
(4) Their lives changed the course of history.
B. SELECTED RIZALISTA GROUPS: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
1. The earliest record about Rizal being declared as a saint is that of his canonization initiated
by the Philippine Independent Church (PIC) or La Iglesia Filipina Independiente. Founded on
August 3, 1902, the PIC became a major religious sect with a number of followers supporting
its anti-friar and anti-imperialist campaigns. As a nationalist religious institution, PIC
churches displayed Philippine flags in its altars as an expression of their love of country and
recognition of heroes who fought for our independence.
2. In 1903, the PIC’s official organ published the “Acta de canonizacion de los martires de la
Patria Dr. Jose Rizal y PP Burgos, Gomez y Zamora. According to the proceedings, the
Council of bishops headed by Gregorio Aglipay met in Manila on September 24, 1903. On
this day, Jose Rizal and the three priests were canonized following the Roman Catholic rites.
3. One of PIC’s founders, Isabelo de los Reyes, said that Rizal’s canonization was an expression
of the “INTENSELY NATIONALISTIC PHASE.”
4. 1n the 195-‘s, Paulina Carolina Malay wrote her observations of Rizal being revered as a
saint:
a. Religious sects called “Banal” in the many towns of Leyte, venerate Rizal as God.
b. In Legaspi City, a strange society called “Pantay-Pantay”, whose members, known as
Rizalinos, walk barefoot in a procession to Rizal’s monument and hold a queer short of a
mass either on June 19 (his natal day) or on December 30 (Rizal’s death).
c. These observations show that Rizalistas continued to flourish after PIC’s canonization of
Rizal.
5. Groups venerating Rizal
a. ADARNISTA or the IGLESIANG PILIPINA
(1) Founder: Candida Balantac
(2) Where founded: Bongabon, Nueva Ecija
(3) When founded: 1901
(4) Beliefs:
 Rizal is a god of the Filipino people
 Rizal is true god and true man
 Rizal was not executed as has been mentioned by historians
 Man is endowed with a soul; such as, man is capable of good deeds
 Heaven and hell exist but nevertheless, “within us”
 The abode of the members of the sect in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija is the New
Jerusalem or Paradise
 The caves in Bongabon are the dwelling place of Jehovah or God
 There are four persons in God: God, the Father, the Son, the Holy ghost, and
the Mother (Virgin Mary)
(5) Like the Catholic Church, the Adarnista also conducts sacraments such as baptism,
confirmation, marriage, confession, and rites of the dead
(6) In a typical Adarnista chapel, one can see images of the Sacred Heart of mary, Our
Lady of Perpetual Help, and in the center is the picture of Rizal.
b. SAMBAHANG RIZAL (Literally, the “Rizal Church”)
(1) Founder: Basilio Aromin, a lawyer in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija
(2) Where founded: Nueva Ecija
(3) When founded: 1918
(4) Beliefs: Sambahang rizal was established to honor Rizal who was sent by Bathala to
redeem the Filipino race, like Jesus Christ who offered his life to save mankind.
 Believes in Bathala to refer to God and creator
  Rizal is the son of Bathala
 Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo serve as their bible that shows
thedoctrines and teachings of Rizal
 Their churches have altars displaying the Philippine flag and a statgue of Rizal
(5) Like the Catholic Church,the Sambahang Rizal conducts sacraments like baptism,
confirmation, marriage and ceremonies for the dead
(6) Aromin, the founder, was the Pangulu guru or chief preacher.
c. IGLESIA WATAWAT NG LAHI (Association of the Banner of the Race)
(1) Founder: Philippine national heroes and Arsenio de Guzman
(2) When founded: 1911
(3) Basic beliefs:
 Rizal was the “Christ” and the “Messenger of God”
 God has chosen he Philippines to replace Israel as His “New Kingdom”
 The teachings of the sect are based on the commands of the Holy Moses, Our
Lord Jesus Christ, and the teachings of Dr. Jose Rizal culled from his writings
 The power of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) was given to Rizal
 Jesus Christ is embodied in Dr. Jose Rizal and hence, Dr. Jose Rizal is at once a
god and a man.
 Rizal is not dead; he is alive and is physically and materially present in the New
Jerusalem which is presently hidden in the site extending from Mt. Makiling to
Mt. Banahaw
 It is the voice of Rizal which commands the officials and the members what to
do; this voice is heard in the weekly meetings. However, an invoker in the
person of Gaudioso Parabuac is needed to ask Rizal to come and talk to
members
 If WW III breaks out, numberless people will be killed by atomic weapons. But
after the war, Dr. Rizal will make an appearance to the new world, and he will
lead the army of God
 Man has a soul, but a soul that is different from the soul of god, for Rizal is god.
Three days after his death, man’s soul will rise again and proceed to the New
Jerusalem if he was holy in life. Otherwise, his soul will be made to work in a
place opposite the New Jerusalem, not punished in hell because there is no hell
 There is a particular judgement as well as a last judgement
(4) Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi is one of the biggest Rizalista groups found in different parts
of the country. However, in 1987, it waqs divided into three factions:
+Watawat ng Lahi, also known as the Samahan ng Watawat ng Lahi Presiding Elders
+Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi, Inc.
+Iglesia ng Lipi ni Gat Dr. Jose Rizal, Inc.
(5) The first group now teaches that Rizal is not Christ but only a human while the last
two groups claim that they hold the original teachings and doctrines of the old
 Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi –Rizal is God/Christ himself, the Jove Rex Al (God, King of
All)
d. SUPREMA DE LA IGLESIA DE LA CIUDAD MISTICA DE DIOS, INC.
(1) Founder: Maria Bernarda Balitaan (MBB)
(2) Where founded: Tagalog region
(3) When founded: 1952
(4) Beliefs:
 The members believe that as a result of endless conflicts among countries in
West Asia, God decided to transfer His “Kingdom” to the Philippines. It explains
why there existed “holy stations/altars” (locally called puesto) in Mt. Banahaw,
which is equivalent to the stations of the cross of Christ in the Pasyon.
 For the Ciudad Mistica, Jesus Christ’s work is still unfinished and it will be
continued by Dr. Jose Rizal and the “twelve lights” of the Philippines composed
of the nineteenth century Philippine heroes. These twelve lights are said to be
the equivalent of Jesus Christ’s twelve apostles. Their work will be fulfilled by a
woman, in the person of Maria Bernarda Balitaan (MBB)
(5) Like other Rizalista groups, the Ciudad Mistica shares many elements with the
Catholic Church. They hold masses (every Saturday), and have prayers and chants.
They commemorate the birth and death anniversaries of the “twelve lights”, with
Rizal’s death (December 30) as the most important celebration. Each celebration
stats with the raising of the Philippine flag.
C. RELIGIOUS NATIONALISM: CONTRASTING RELIGIOUS VIEWS ON RIZAL
1. Ciudad Mistica believes that Dr. Jose Rizal was to continue the unfinished work of Jesus
Christ here on earth.
2. Iglesia Watawat believes that Rizal is god in the sense that the power of the Holy Ghost was
given to him and he is the embodiment of Jesus Christ and that Rizal is not dead but is
materially present but hidden in the site extending from Mt. Makiling to Mt. Banahaw.
3. Sambahang Rizal believes that Rizal is the Son of God (Bathala) who was sent to the world to
redeem the Filipino race.
4. The Adarnistas believe that Rizal is god of the Filipino people, is true god and true man.