Jose Rizal:

The Making of A Hero

Presented by:
Ricky C. Aguilar
OBJECTIVES
• Discuss the common
misconceptions about Jose Rizal.
• Prove that Rizal is worthy to be
the National Hero.
• Discuss Jose Rizal’s life.
Essential Questions:
• Was Rizal an “American-made hero?”
• Was Rizal against the revolution for
Philippine independence?
• Is Rizal worthy to be chosen as our
national hero?
We know Jose Rizal as…
• A literary genius
• An illustrious doctor
• An effective teacher
• A playboy
• A loving son
• An observant traveler
• A martyr
 How do our youth of today know
Rizal?
From a discussion thread entitled “Sino
ba si Rizal sa inyo?”,1 here are samples
how the youth of today view Rizal.
• flimmeryrose741(Jul 16, 2006):
Bakit nga ba si Rizal ang hero natin?
Hindi lang naman siya yung matalino
that time, diba? He did publish some
books para maging open-minded ang
mga pinoy, pero yan din naman ang
ginawa ng iba ha? Why not
Bonifacio? He died to save us… xxx
 How do our youth of today know
Rizal?
• Keener (Jul 16, 2006): If there’s
something that I learned from my Rizal
class now in college, it is that Rizal
NEVER asked for freedom from the
Spaniards. He was asking for
ASSIMILATION. He wanted the
Philippines to be a PROVINCE OF
SPAIN, NOT establish an independent
state.

• flimmeryrose741(Jul 16, 2006): oh..

so that means..ayaw niya pala maging
free ang Philippines? So gusto niya
pala na maging parte ng Spain ang
Philippines? What a hypocrite! xxx
Bonifacio should be the hero… Rizal is
a jerk.,
 How do our youth of today know
Rizal?
• Rev4maite (Jul 18, 2006):
^^correct… hindi dpat c Rizal ang
pambansang bayani dahil 1.) Babaero
2.) Did he really fought for Philippine
freedom 3.) As far as I know, ang gusto
lang niya ay maging pantay ang filipino
sa mga spanish, what if mahirap c
Rizal at nde nakapag-aral? Will he still
be the National Hero? I guess not…

• Kensamor (Jul 26, 2006): Sabi ng

teacher ko dati, naging national hero si
Rizal dahil sa mga Kano. Medyo
malabo nga sa akin kung ano nga ba
talaga ang nagawa niya para sa Pinas.
xxx
 How do our youth of today know
Rizal?
• Greenlaser (Nov. 22,
2006): Para yatang hindi
maka-relate ang maraming
Pilipino kay Jose Rizal.
Kaya siguro maraming
nagtatanong kung sino
talaga siya.

(1
http://
www.pinoyexchange.com/
forums/archive/index.php/t-
247161.html. Cited in
Balsomo,2009)
Common Misconceptions about Jose Rizal

• Rizal is an American-sponsored hero

• Rizal never supported the independence
movement of the Philippines.
• Andres Bonifacio should be the national
hero not Rizal.
Rizal is an “American-sponsored
Hero”

• It was believed that William Howard

Taft pushed the installation of Jose
Rizal as our national hero.
 Rizal is an “American-sponsored
Hero”
• However, the Revolutionary Government their tribute to
Jose Rizal as their way recognizing his contributions to the
country. In his opening address at the Congress assembled at
Malolos, Bulacan on Sept. 15, 1898, President Aguinaldo
said:
“Illustrious spirits of RIZAL, Lopez Jaena, of Marcelo del Pilar! xxx
Arise a moment from your graves!” (Ibid.)
 Rizal is an “American-sponsored
Hero”
• Former President Aguinaldo, issued his
first official proclamation to make
December 30 as “Rizal Day”
• This alone proves that Rizal was
proclaimed a National Hero by the
First Philippine Republic six years
before the Taft’s endorsement of
making Rizal as our National Hero.
Rizal never supported the independence
movement of the Philippines
• According to Renato Constantino in his work
“Veneration Without Understanding,” Rizal did not
deserve to be the Philippines’s national hero.
“In the histories of many nations, the national
revolution represents a peak of achievement to which
the minds of man return time and again in reverence
and for a renewal of faith in freedom. xxx therefore,
that almost always the leader of that revolution
becomes the principal hero of his people. xxx In our
case, our national hero was not the leader of our
Revolution. In fact, he repudiated that Revolution.”
Rizal never supported the independence
movement of the Philippines

• Pio Valenzuela’s Memoirs of the KKK and the

Philippine Revolution, presents the radical and
revolutionary concepts of Rizal thus disapproving the
view that he is against the revolution. Valenzuela
recounts the private meeting with Rizal in Dapitan
on June 21, 1896:
 Rizal never supported the independence
movement of the Philippines
“After his introduction about the secret
organization, I discussed with Rizal the
resolutions of the Katipunan. Rizal did not
oppose the resolutions. In fact, he approved
these resolutions and even suggested that
they be complied with as soon as possible.”
• However, when Valenzuela told Rizal
that “the revolution will break out even
without having arms”, Rizal opposed
this resolution stating that “the
Spaniards … will annihilate the Filipinos”.
(Valenzuela in De la Cruz, 2008)
 Rizal never supported the independence
movement of the Philippines

• Rizal opposed the immediate

start of the revolution, not the
movement itself. To help the
Katipunan, he advised that
they must first have sufficient
arms and to invite rich and
influential persons to join the
secret organization.
 Rizal never supported the independence
movement of the Philippines
• Further confirmation of Rizals’ support for
the Philippine revolution can be traced in the
second stanza of his poem “Mi Ultimo
Adios”.

On the field of battle, ‘mid the frenzy of fight,

Others have given their lives, without doubt or
heed;
The place matters not ---- cypress or laurel or
liliy white;
Scaffold or open plain, combat or martyrdom’s
plight,
‘Tis ever the same, to serve home and
country’s need
Rizal never supported the independence
movement of the Philippines
• In this part of his poem,
Rizal is encouraging the
Filipinos who are suffering
for the country to fight. He
implies that dying on the
battlefield, being executed
as a martyr and getting
wounded in combat is
equally honorable.,
Andres Bonifacio, not Rizal, should be the national
hero
• Commonly, national heroes of other
countries are soldier generals like George
Washington of the United States of
America. Thus, they thought it should be
the same with us as well.
• Andres Bonifacio led the Filipinos in the
armed struggle for Philippine
independence. Then why did we not
follow the examples of other nations in
selecting a military leader for the national
hero?
 Andres Bonifacio, not Rizal, should be the
national hero
• Rafael Palma has very well
stated the case of Rizal versus
Bonifacio in these words:
“Whereas generally the heroes of
occidental nations are warriors and
generals who serve their cause with the
sword, xxx the hero of the Filipinos served
his cause with the pen, demonstrating that
the pen is mighty as the sword to redeem
a people from their political slavery. ,
 Andres Bonifacio, not Rizal, should be the
national hero
xxx the revolution prepared by Bonifacio
was only the effect, the consequence of
spiritual redemption wrought by the pen
of Rizal. xxx in point of importance the
previous work of Rizal seems to us
superior to that of Bonifacio.” (Ocampo in
Zaide, 1999)

• “There are only two powers in the

world, the sword and the pen; and in
the end the former is always
conquered by the latter”
Napoleon I
 RIZAL: A MANY-SPLENDORED
GENIUS
• SPORTSMAN
He fenced with Europeans, Juan
Luna and other friends in
Europe.
He played chess and beat
several Germans and European
friends and acquaintances.
He could shoot a target 20
meters away.
Dr. Jose P. Rizal
• Can speak more than 20 languages
• Not only a hero and political
martyr
• Many-splendored genius
• A man with many talents
 RIZAL: A MANY-SPLENDORED
GENIUS
• PHYSICIAN
He treated several patients
afflicted not only with eye
diseases.
• OPHTHALMOLOGIST
He graduated in an ophthalmologic
college in Spain.
RIZAL: A MANY-
SPLENDORED GENIUS
• POET
Rizal wrote over 35 poems
including his famous Ultimo
Adios.
• HISTORIAN
His annotation of Antonio de
Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas entitled him as one.
RIZAL: A MANY-
SPLENDORED GENIUS
• FARMER-BUSINESSMAN
He had a partner in Dapitan
in the Abaca business
there (1892-1896).
• SCULPTOR
His works of his father and
of Father Guerrico, S. J.
typified his sculptural
ability. “The Triumph of Science Over Death,”
Rizal’s most well-known sculpture
RIZAL: A MANY-SPLENDORED
GENIUS
• CARTOGRAPHER
His map skills is
evident in drawing
maps of Dapitan.
• BIBLIOPHILE
He had a big library
and brought many
books abroad.
 RIZAL: A MANY-SPLENDORED
GENIUS
• PHILOLOGIST
Rizal love of learning and
literature is unequalled.
• PHILOSOPHER
Rizal not only loved wisdom but
also regulated his life and
enjoyed calmness of the life at
all times.
RIZAL: A MANY-SPLENDORED
GENIUS
• HUMORIST
There are many humorous
incidents in the Noli Me
Tangere and El
Filibusterismo.
• TRAVELER
He traveled around the
world three times.
Rizal drinking with his friends
Rizal fencing with Juan Luna
 BIRTH OF A HERO
• June 19, 1861 – Rizal was born
• Because of the struggle that her mother had to go through in
giving birth to him, Teodora Alonzo will make a pilgrimage to
the Virgin of Antipolo (Our Lady of Peace and Voyage).
• June 22, 1861 – Rizal was baptized (3 days old)
• Father Rufino Collantes – baptized Rizal
• Father Pedro Casañas – Rizal’s godfather (family friend)
• Rizal was born during the administration of Governor
General Jose Lemery
• His name “JOSE” was chosen by his mother in honor of St.
Joseph.
RIZAL’S BIG HEAD?

One of Rizal’s most Rizal as a young man

famous photos
The 11-year old Rizal
RIZAL’S FAMILY
Francisco Mercado Rizal
• Rizal’s father
• Born on May 11, 1818 in Biñan
• Studied Latin and Philosophy at the College
of San Jose in Manila.
• Became a tenant farmer in Calamba.
• Died on January 5, 1898 at the age of 80
Teodora Alonso
Realonda
• Rizal’s mother
• Born on November 8, 1826
• Studied at the College of Santa Rosa in
Manila
• Died on August 26, 1911 at the age of 85
RIZAL’S SIBLINGS

Saturnina Paciano – immortalized as Narcisa (Sisa)

(Neneng) Pilosopo Tasio in Noli Me Tangere
RIZAL’S SIBLINGS

Olimpia Lucia Maria

(Ypia) (Biang)
RIZAL’S SIBLINGS

?
Concepcion Josefa
Jose (Pepe)
(Concha) (Panggoy)
RIZAL’S SIBLINGS

Trinidad Soledad
(Trining) (Choleng)
RIZAL’S ANCESTRY
Rizal was called “The Great
Malayan”
actually had Negrito, Malay,
Chinese, Japanese and Spanish
blood
Predominantly, he was a
Malayan
,
 RIZAL’S ANCESTRY
• Rizal was called “The
Great Malayan”
• actually had Negrito,
Malay, Chinese, Japanese
and Spanish blood
• Predominantly, he was a
Malayan
 PATERNAL SIDE
• Domingo Lamco
• Rizal’s great-great-grandfather
• A Chinese immigrant from
Chiangchow (Fukien)
• Arrived in Manila in about
1690
• Was baptized, married Ines
dela Rosa
• Took the surname “Mercado”
in 1731
PATERNAL SIDE
• Francisco Mercado
• Son of Domingo and Ines
• Rizal’s great-grandfather
• Married Cirila Bernacha
• Resided in Biñan, Laguna
• Was elected
gobernadorcillo of Biñan
PATERNAL SIDE
• Juan Mercado
• Son of Francisco and Cirila
• Rizal’s grandfather
• Married Cirila Alejandro
• Was also elected
gobernadorcillo of Biñan
• Had thirteen children
PATERNAL SIDE
• Francisco Mercado
• Youngest son of Juan and
Cirila
• Rizal’s father
• Lost his father at the age of 8
• Married Teodora
• Settled in Calamba, Laguna
• Engaged in farming and
business
MATERNAL SIDE
• Lakandula
• last king of Tondo
• Eugenio Ursua
• Teodora’s great-grandfather
• Was of Japanese ancestry
• Married to Benigna (a
Filipina)
MATERNAL SIDE
• Regina
• Daughter of Eugenio and
Benigna
• Married Atty. Manuel de
Quintos
• Brigida
• Daughter of Regina and Atty.
Quintos
• Married Alberto Alonso
• Had five children
 THE RIZAL SURNAME
• In 1731, Domingo Lamco adopted
the surname “Mercado” (market)
• In 1849, Gov. Gen. Claveria
ordered all Filipinos to adopt
Spanish surnames
• Francisco adopted the surname
“Rizal”
• Was suggested by the provincial
governor, who was a family friend
THE RIZAL SURNAME
• Originally “Ricial”
• In Spanish, it means “green
fields”
• Prophetic according to
Leon Ma. Guerrero: “a field
where wheat, cut while still
in green, sprouts again.”
• Only Jose used the
surname Rizal until 1891
 THE RIZAL FAMILY:
A GOOD AND MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY
 A MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY
• The Rizal family belonged to
the principalia
• Had a large stone house
• Owned a carjuahe (carriage)
• Had a private library with more
than 1,000 books
• Sent their children to colleges
in Manila
THE RIZAL HOUSE
• A two-storey building
• Built of adobe stones
and hard woods
• Roofed with red tiles

The rebuilt Rizal house

Let’s have a field trip!
The famous landmark of Calamba, the gigantic jar which
has all the Calamba towns written on its surface.
The back of the Rizal house, then and now.
The grand staircase that leads to the main hall of
the house
The original karwahe (carriage) of the
Rizal family, still intact after all these
years.
Unfortunately, the horse died many many
years ago.
The living room
The comida or the dining room
The main dining room
The platera
The cocina or kitchen
Jose Rizal's bedroom.
The well located at the back of the
Rizal’s house.
A most important seat in the house
A replica of Pepe’s little nipa playhouse
 HOME LIFE OF THE RIZALS
• The Rizal family had a simple,
contented, and happy life
• Believed in the maxim “Spare
the rod and spoil the child”
• Everyday, the family heard
Mass
• Prayed together the Rosary and
Angelus daily
Conclusion:
• Was Rizal an “American-made hero?”
• NO. Rizal was proclaimed as our National Hero by the
First Philippine Republic.
• Was Rizal against the revolution for Philippine
independence?
• NO. Rizal supported the revolution but opposed the
immediate start of it due to lack of arms.
• Is Rizal worthy to be our national hero?
• YES. His life served as the inspiration of our nation to be
free and cherish freedom. The teachings of Rizal are as
valid today as they were yesterday.
References:
• Balsamo, Jonathan, Unti-Unti Akong Nagbago: Ang Buhay-
Estudyante ni Rizal sa Ateneo, Philippine Historical Society
Bulletin, Vol. XLIII 2009, pp. 120-125
• Dela Cruz, Arleigh Ross, Rizal Meets Pio Valenzuela: The
Conference of Jose Rizal and Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan,
Philippine Historical Society Bulletin, Vol. XLIII 2009, pp. 155-165
• Zaide, Gregorio et al (1999) Jose Rizal: Life, Works, and Writings
of a Genius, Writer, Scientist, and National Hero 2nd Ed., All-
Nations Publishing: QC
• http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-
247161.html.
• http://www.articlehit.com
• http://www.pinoypress.net/2008/12/30/why-jose-rizal-did-not-
deserve-to-be-national-hero/