Jose Rizal The Greatest Hero of the Philippines

An overview of Jose Rizal’s legacy as the Philippines' greatest hero—his burial, achievements, writings, and the retraction controversy—highlighting his influence on the nation’s fight for independence and enduring status as a martyr.

Daniel Miller
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1. Why was Jose P. Rizal buried in Paco Catholic Cemetery without a coffin?
Jose P. Rizal was buried in Paco Catholic Cemetery without a coffin because the Spanish authorities
wanted to hasten his burial and prevent the public from gathering at his funeral. The}’ also wanted to deny
his followers the opportunity to turn his burial into a rallying point for the nascent Philippine Revolution.
The cemetery was closed shortly after Rizal's burial, and his remains were moved to their current location
in Rizal Park in 1912.
2. Why is Rizal the greatest hero and martyr of our nation?
Jose Rizal is considered the greatest hero and martiu of the Philippines due to his immense contributions
to the country's fight for independence and his influential political writings. Despite his background as a
multifaceted intellectual and political activist, Rizal is also recognized for his accomplishments as a
physician who specialized in ophthalmology.
3. How do we recognize Rizal as the leading Filipino hero of all times? Cite at least five (5) proofs.
a. Rizal was a brilliant student, excelling in various fields such as literature, arts, and sciences. H e was
fluent in 22 languages, a polyglot, and exhibited other talents like painring, sketching, and sculpture.
b. Rizal was a vocal critic of the Spanish colonial government, but he chose to express his dissent through
his writings and essays instead of resorting to violence. He advocated for social reforms through legal
means and believed in the power of education ar.d literacy.
c Rizal is considered a national hero due to his two significant novels, "Noh M e Tangere’’ and "El
Filibusterismo," wT
hich criticized the Spanish colonial rule, exposed the injustices of the time, and
inspired the Philippine Revolnriou.
d. Rizal founded the La Liga Filipina, a reformist organization that advocated for social reforms through
legal means. This made him a significant figure in the history of the Philippines' struggle for
independence.
e.Rizal was executed by the Spanish colonial government for his political beliefs and writings. His
execution further solidified his status as a national hero and martyr for the Filipino people.
4. Did Rizal retract from masonry? Showr some proofs, if any.
There is a paper that resurrects the retraction controversy surrounding Rizal's potential re-embracement of
the Catholic faith and disassociation from Masonry. This paper is based on a document that emerged in
the past decade, written by a credible eyewitness wrho was physically present in the vicinity of where
Rizal wT
as detained.
There is an account that Rizal, during his final 24 hours, denounced his Masonic beliefs and re-professed
his Catholic faith. This account was reported by several local and international newspapers, including La
Voz Espanola, El Espahol, El Comercio, La Oceania Espanola, El Imparcial, Heraldo de Madrid, and El
Siglo Futuro. These reports mentioned the Jesuit priests and other colonial officials who witnessed this
controversial act by Rizal.
5. How tall is Rizal according to your opinion?
Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, was approximately 5-foot-3 and a half (5.28 feet) tall. This
information comes from a notebook belonging to Rizal, where he documented his height at the age of 19
years and 4 days, measuring 1.61 meters.
6. Compar e Rizal with Bonifacio.
Rizal and Bonifacio were both prominent figures in Philippine history, but they differed in their methods
for achieving national pride, reform, and independence. Rizal advocated for a peaceful, reformist
approach and is best known for his literary works "Noli Me Tangere" and 'El Filibusterismo,"' which
criticized the Spanish colonial regime's corruption and abuse while promoting national identity.
On the other hand, Bonifacio was a revolutionary who founded the militant group Katipunan, an armed
resistance movement aimed at establishing Philippine independence. Although he was inspired by Rizal's
novels, Bonifacio opted for a more aggressive method compared to Rizal's peaceful approach.
7. Should Rizal be the national hero and not Bonifacio? Justify your answer.
Deciding whether Rizal or Bonifacio should be the national hero is not a matter of one being better than
the other, as they both have made significant contributions to the country in their own ways.
Rizal, known for his intellect and wisdom, was an advocate for peaceful reforms and was responsible for
inspiring Bonifacio to start the revolution. He was a reformist who believed in the power of education ar.d
negotiation, and he fought for the country through his writings and ideas.
On the other hand. Bonifacio, a passionate warrior and revolutionary, was a man of action who believed
in gaining freedom through a bloody revolution. He was a co-founder of La Liga Filipina, which was
Rizal's platform for propaganda, and he was the prime mover of the revolution against Spain's
subjugation. He was a symbol of the poor and the oppressed, and he fought for the country through his
actions and bravery.
8. What is a hero?
a) as defined in the dictionary:
a person who, in the opinion of others, has special achievements, abilities, or personal qualities and is
regarded as a role model or ideal
b) according to your point of view:
a hero is an individual who demonstrates courage, compassion, and resilience in the face of adversity.
They are selfless in their actions and strive to make a positive impact on the world around them, often
inspiring others to do the same. They can be evert- day people, historical figures, or fictional characters
who challenge the status quo and push for change, even when it's difficult or dangerous.
9. Rizal said: "The youth is the hope of the fatherland. '' What do you mean by this statement?
Rizal's statement "The youth is the hope of the fatherland” signifies the crucial role he believed the
younger generation plays in building a better future for the nation. The youth are seen as agents of change
and progress, with the potential to overcome challenges and shape a brighter future. They have the
energy, adaptability, and innovative thinking necessary to bring about social reform and contribute to the
country's economic development.
10. If Rizal was not b o m at all. who would be the greatest national hero today? Justify your answer
Determining who would be the greatest national hero today if Rizal was not bom is a challenging task, as
it involves speculating on historical events and the development of the Philippine society. However, we
can name a few figures who have contributed significantly to the country’s fight for independence and
social reforms, similar to Rizal.
One such figure is Andres Bonifacio, often referred to as the "Father of the Philippine Revolution."
Bonifacio co-founded the Katipunan, a secret society that aimed to gain independence from Spain through
armed revolution. He played a crucial role in initiating rhe revolution, leading numerous uprisings against
the Spanish colonial government. Bonifacio's courage, determination, and strong leadership make him a
strong candidate for the greatestnational hero if Rizal was not bom.
Another possible candidate is Apolinario Nlabini, a prominent political figure, and a lawyer who served as
± e First Prime Minister and Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippine Republic. Mabini was a key
figure in the Philippine Revolution and is often called the 'Brains of the Revolution" due to his
intellectual contributions. His unwavering commitment to the country's welfare and his efforts to to
ensure the success of the newly established Philippine Republic make him a significant contender for the
position of the greatest national hero.
11. In your point of view, which is mightier, the sword or the pen? Reason ouL
The pen is mightier than the sword. This is because rhe written word can be a powerful tool for social or
political change, influencing minds and shaping opinions in a way that physical force cannot. The sword
can affect you physically bur the pen can change the world with its power. A beautiful article or quote or
book can bring change in an individual or the society which a sword can not always do.
12. Given the opportunity to act as chairman of the Rizal Centennial Celebration Committee in
your town/city, what one-week activities would your committee undertake to commemorate the
119th (or so) death anniversary of Rizal? List down these activities:
Given the Opportunity co commemorate the Death Anniversary of Jose Rizal, as Chairman of my town, I
will try my best to celebrate it with some activities char is not usual yet the most aspiring event of the
year.
DAY 1:
Visiting Rizal's final resting place in Luneca Park, Manila (Bagumbayan). A trip there could be part of a
day spent with other people who loves Rizal and include a picnic with their favorite food and drink.
DAY 2:
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