THE TR A N S C EN DEN TA L HER O
THIS SECTION DISCUSSES THE IMPACT OF RIZAL AND HIS
LASTING CONT RIBUT IONS T O PHIL IPPINE SOCIET Y. IT
PRESENT S T HE REASONS
WHY RIZAL IS CONSIDERED A NATIONAL HERO.
GED 103 – Life and Works of Rizal
A.Y.2020-2021, First Semester
Ms. Reallyn B. Villanueva, LPT
Jose Rizal's greatness did not fade even after his death. More scholars
f rom bot h t he Philippines and t he world st udied about him and his
contributions to Filipino national consciousness.
Despite his middle class status, he also struggled and
suffered because of the prevailing social conditions during those
times. He was so talented and skilled that he always had the
advantage over his contemporaries, in terms of education and
the fight against the excesses of the friar-led Spanish colonial
rule.
Rizal's aspiration for what is ideal
never ended. This aspiration took the
His leadership skills and writing form of fighting against injustice in
skills were also exceptional as he society. His fervid goal while growing
led the Propaganda Movement— up and being educated was the
the unwavering campaign for liberation of his fellow Filipinos from
political and social reforms. the bondage of political tyranny and
the corollaries, misery, and ignorance
associate with it.
Jose Rizal was the central figure of the
revolutionary movement. He was a poet,
novelist, ophthalmologist, historian, doctor,
polemical essayist, and moralist.
Education was foremost for Rizal. He believed
that education is vital in national development as
itfrees people from ignorance. Education can
save the country from domination.
No law, executive order, or
proclamation has been enacted In 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo
or issued that officially issued a decree that declares
proclaims any Filipino historical December 30 as a day of national
mourning for the heroes and
figure as a national hero
victims of the Philippine Revolution,
(NHCP, 2012). Thus, Rizal's title including Rizal.
is sometimes questioned.
In 1900, American governor general and chairman of the 2nd Philippine
Commission, William Howard Taft, suggested to revere Rizal as a national
hero.
This is to recognize his contributions to the significant social transformations
that took place in the Philippines (NCCA, 2015). Instead of a single law hailing
a national hero, laws and proclamations were made in honor of all Filipino
national heroes. In fact, 1996 was declared as the "Year of the Filipino
Heroes" in time for the centennial anniversary of the Philippine
Revolution marked by the Cry of Pugad Lawin in 1896. Then, August 30
was declared as the "National Heroes Day."
Despite the absence of an official
declaration, Rizal has been a symbol of what the
Filipinos lack as a race. This is ironic thought
since Rizal was in search of a true Filipino
identity which turned out to be his own self. To
date, Rizal is the most popular Filipino whose
portraits and monuments are seen not only in
the Philippines but around
the world.
Rizal is a Filipino hero because he embodied
the qualities of a true hero and made
Filipinos realize the best of what they can
be despite the difficult social conditions.
Both his struggles and triumphs inspired
and ignited the Katipunan-led revolution,
making the Philippines the first independent
republic in Asia. Up to this day, it is still
what Rizal fought for that leads this
generation to continue realizing his dream
of a nation where every Filipino is truly
free.
MA R A MIN G S A L A MA T
THE
END
