NAGA COLLEGE FOUNDATION, INC.

MT Villanueva Ave., Liboton, Naga City

College of Arts & Sciences

Activity 1 Prelim
Jose Rizal Life’s Works and Writings

Direction: Discuss the following questions below and make sure you present clear
arguments and ideas.

1. Who was Jose Rizal and why he was well-known among Filipinos?
2. Why is Rizal was considered our greatest national hero of our country?

ANSWERS:
1) During the latter years of Spanish administration in the Philippines, Dr. José
Protasio Rizal Mercado y Realonda was a Filipino nationalist and reformist. Well
known as a member of the Filipino Propaganda movement (propaganda as in
truth or the "spread of information," not misinformation as the modern definition
would have you believe), as well as the author of two of the most important and
influential Filipino literary works of all time, the novels Noli Me Tángere (Touch
Me Not/Don't Touch Me) and its sequel, El filibusterismo (The Subversion).

The first Philippine edition, published in 1899, featured this cover. Born to a
wealthy family of mestizos, Rizal, or Pepe, was part of the budding class of
illustrados - Filipino gente de razón from wealthy/middle-class families that were
educated in Europe and exposed to European Liberalist ideals. As 'enlightened'
as they were, the illustrados began to stir and express nationalism by asking for
changes and publishing impassioned editorials criticizing Spain's reign. Rizal, as a
member of such movements, aided the cause by writing the two novels
mentioned above.

The two novels, which aimed to describe and expose the perceived
injustices and ills of the ruling colonial government and the Spanish Catholic
clergy, were deemed subversive by Spain, and when combined with the various
essays, commentaries, and articles he had published, led the authorities to label
him a rebel and traitor.
 After Rizal's arrest and exile to Dapitan, the Katipunan (KKK) was formed, a
more militant offshoot of Rizal's own La Liga Filipina that advocated armed
revolution rather than reforms. Despite his condemnation of the revolutionaries,
Rizal was eventually implicated for the upheavals and was jailed again in Spain
while on his way to Cuba as a doctor (where Yellow Fever had just broken out).
On December 30, 1896, Rizal was executed by a squad of Filipino Spanish Army
soldiers. To guarantee they’ll pull the trigger, another squad of regular Spanish
Army soldiers waited ready to shoot the executioners.

Rizal’s execution in Bagumbayan, 1896. Despite Rizal's opposition to armed

revolt as a means of gaining Filipino autonomy from Spain, his arrest and
execution launched a full-scale insurgency against Spain that would not be
formally ended until the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898. Even after the
outbreak of the Filipino-American war, Rizal was held in high respect, and his
death served as a rallying cry for independence. As a result, he is well-known not
only in the Philippines, but also abroad.

2) José Rizal (1861-1896) is regarded as one of the most important individuals

in Philippine history. He was a versatile scholar and political activist most known
for his political writings, which spurred the Philippine revolution and eventually
led to his death by Spanish invaders.
A hero represents goodness. Rizal used kindness to give us freedom. Jose
Rizal became a national hero in the Philippines because he battled for
independence in a quiet but effective manner. Instead of using force or hostility,
he conveyed his love for the Philippines via his books, essays, and articles. He
was a very remarkable individual in his day. He was modest, preferring to fight
for improvements through his words rather than a revolution. Instead of being
confrontational, he used his brains, abilities, and skills in a very calm manner.

Let us consider the following facts:

1. Andres Bonifacio and other Katipunan members hold such high esteem for
Rizal that they dispatched Dr. Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan to seek his advice on
their future steps as the group is on the verge of being detected by Spanish
authorities. Dr. Valenzuela suggested the possibility of rescuing Rizal from
exile, but Rizal refused. Although the Katipunan was unable to persuade Rizal
to join their movements, they admired him so much that they made him an
honorary president without his consent.
2. General Aguinaldo, on behalf of the revolutionary government at Malolos,
declared December 30 as Rizal Day and first commemorated it in 1898- yes,
the idea of commemorating Rizal's death (rather than his birth date, as with
other Filipinos considered heroes) originated with Filipinos, not Americans.

3. It is clear that both Bonifacio and Aguinaldo hold Rizal in high respect.
Now for some more information:
Americans realized that Rizal is held at very high esteem by Filipinos that
they decided to make it appear that it is with America’s blessing that Rizal is
esteemed as the National Hero (instead of oh-god-forbid-speaking-his-name-
Bonifacio) through their imported educational system, cooperation with
Filipino elite, and direct sponsorship of a “Americanized” Rizal. The Taft
Commission ordered the erection of the Rizal Monument in Luneta in 1901
and the continuation of 30 December as Rizal day in 1902.
Rizal so grabbed the people's imagination that he was dubbed the
Tagalog Christ; groups centered on Rizal's worship still exist today. There are
reports of Rizal appearing to these people and advising them to prepare for
the resurrection of Himagsikan (Revolution), which would eventually free the
Philippines from colonial rule.