“Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa sa hayop at malansang isda” a quote

written by Jose Rizal accordingly in his childhood years, the phrases, and stories that we all have
familiarized ourselves with as the epiphany of who Rizal was. But sometimes truth can be a very
complicated matter in history as many basis have been brought to disprove such accounts as a
mere fabrication to make Jose Rizal the ideal Filipino hero. This does not make him a fraud
though but humanizes him in a more truthful depiction of his character as his life itself from his
childhood to his last day of his sentencing is a testament to itself. Born on June 19, 1861, in a
lakeshore town of Calamba Laguna, Jose Protacio Rizal’s life was not an easy upbringing. From
birth he was well educated by his father in both Latin and Philosophy while teaching him
Independence, determination, hard work and a free spirit that molded him to become what he
was, while his mother raised him to be educated in value, discipline, justice and refined talent
and culture. From his Tutors and Relatives, he learned to appreciate natures beauty and art, to
think critically and to maintain a well-being of his life. In his early childhood, Rizal’s Education
in Binan was not kind to him as he was bullied both mentally and physically by his peers and
punished by his teachers but from this experienced it greatly influenced him on his views for
education as he sees it as an investment for future generations but what truly influenced Jose
Rizal to open his eyes to the brutal reality of the world is when his mother was arrested and
forced to walk 50km from Calamba to Santa Cruz as a punishment of his conviction of poison
against his brothers wife who in the end was pleaded not guilty after 2 and a half years of
conviction.

Our Heroes have many stories of heroism and wisdom throughout their lives in what they
accomplished in the pages of history, but we need to take in consideration that some of it are
embellished to further ratify their accomplishments and inspire the people of the nation to strive
to be just like them. But that does not mean that they are not heroes as the truth in their history
has shown beyond doubt their heroism and love for their country.