“Can Rizal be considered as a national hero?

Dr. José Rizal was a multifaceted individual—a writer, philosopher, ophthalmologist, and
nationalist—who played a pivotal role in sparking the Filipino revolution against Spanish
colonial rule. His literary works, most notably "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo,"
served as catalysts for social awakening and laid bare the injustices and abuses under
Spanish colonialism. These novels not only exposed the oppressive colonial regime but also
inspired a sense of national identity and unity among Filipinos. The question of whether Jose
Rizal truly retracted his anti-Catholic writings before his execution remains a matter of
historical debate and uncertainty. There are conflicting accounts and interpretations
surrounding this issue, and no definitive evidence conclusively proves whether Rizal did or
did not retract his views. Out of this, if he did... can he be considered as our national hero?
There exists a document referred to as the "Retraction Document" that some claim as
evidence of Rizal's retraction. However, the authenticity of this document has been
questioned by historians. There are debates about its origins, the circumstances surrounding
its discovery, and whether it was genuinely authored by Rizal.
Many scholars and historians argue that the principles and beliefs Rizal expressed in his
writings and actions suggest a steadfast commitment to his ideas rather than a retraction.
They emphasize his advocacy for reforms within the Church and society rather than a
complete renunciation of his views.
In the Philippines, Jose Rizal is widely regarded as a national hero due to his significant
contributions to the country's history, particularly in advocating for reforms and sparking
nationalist sentiments through his writings and actions.
The Catholic Church did pose challenges to the marriage between Jose Rizal and Josephine
Bracken. Their relationship faced opposition primarily due to religious reasons. Rizal and
Josephine lived together as husband and wife until Rizal's execution. Their relationship
remains a part of Rizal's complex and controversial personal life, contributing to the ongoing
fascination with his legacy and the history of the Philippine Revolution.
My Stand according to all of these is that, rizal has made so many writings about our history
and that we should acknowledge all of it for he did it all with bravery. whether or not Rizal
retracted his writings doesn’t diminish his contributions to the Philippines' independence
movement. He was a prominent figure in advocating for reforms and inspiring nationalistic
fervor, using his writings to ignite a sense of identity and consciousness among Filipinos.
Truly, he is a hero.

“Did the spaniards colonize the Philippines because of the 3g’s (god, gold and glory)”

The idea of the "3Gs" (God, Gold, and Glory) is a well-known concept used to summarize the
motives behind European colonization during the Age of Exploration. While it's a convenient
 way to encapsulate the broader motivations of many colonial ventures, the specific reasons
behind Spain's colonization of the Philippines were multifaceted and not solely confined to
these three (GOD, GOLD AND GLORY)

Spain sought to establish a foothold in Asia to access lucrative trade routes, particularly in
spices and other valuable goods from the East. The Philippines, strategically located in
Southeast Asia, offered a potential gateway to the wealth of the region. Spain was fervently
Catholic during the Age of Exploration. The Spanish Crown and the Catholic Church aimed
to spread Christianity to new territories. Missionaries and religious orders were sent to
convert the indigenous populations in the Philippines to Catholicism. The Philippines held
significant strategic value for Spain in terms of its location. It served as a stopover for
Spanish ships traveling between the Americas and Asia, providing a vital point for
resupplying and facilitating trade routes. The Spanish Empire was in constant competition
with other European powers for global dominance. Colonization was a way to expand
territory, increase wealth, and enhance Spain's prestige and power on the world stage. While
the Philippines didn’t have the substantial gold or silver reserves found in other Spanish
colonies, it did offer resources like timber, agricultural products, and other commodities that
could be exploited for the benefit of the Spanish Empire.

Overall, Spain's colonization of the Philippines was a blend of economic interests, religious
zeal, strategic positioning, and a desire for territorial expansion and influence in the global
context of the time. These factors collectively motivated Spain to establish control and
dominance over the archipelago for approximately three centuries.

“When is really our independence day?”

The Philippines celebrates its Independence Day on June 12. This date commemorates the
declaration of independence from Spanish colonial rule in 1898. It marks the moment when
the Filipino revolutionary leaders, led by General Emilio Aguinaldo, proclaimed the
country's independence in Kawit, Cavite.
 However, it's essential to note that the Philippines' journey to true independence was a
complex one. While June 12, 1898, marks the declaration of independence from Spain, the
country subsequently fell under American colonization after the Treaty of Paris in 1898,
followed by a period of Japanese occupation during World War II.

The Philippines eventually gained full independence from the United States on July 4, 1946,
after the end of World War II. In 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal changed the date of
Independence Day from July 4 to June 12 to honor the country's earlier struggle for freedom
against Spanish rule.

So, June 12, 1898, is celebrated as Independence Day in the Philippines, symbolizing the
country's initial declaration of independence from Spanish colonial rule, even though the
path to complete sovereignty took more time and historical events to unfold.