Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES

University Town, Northern Samar

GE 9: THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

FIRST SEMESTER, S.Y. 2020-2021

Prepared and Compiled by:

_____________________________

1|Life and Works of Rizal

 Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism:
Module 10:
NATIONAL SYMBOL

OVERVIEW

Now that you have finished learning about “BAYANI AND KABAYANIHAN” of Dr. Jose P.
Rizal let us now come to the next topic.
In this module, you are going to learn about Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism: National
Symbol. Are you ready? Let’s proceed to the expectations you must overcome after learning this
module.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, the student is expected to:

1. Examine the values highlighted of the various representation of Jose Rizal as national symbol.
2. Advocate the values Rizal’s life encapsulated.

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 JOSE RIZAL AND THE PHILIPPINE NATIONALISM:
NATIONAL SYMBOL

RIZAL AS A NATIONAL SYMBOL

Symbols express thoughts that are represented by things. Those things are
conventionally associated with meanings that made them called to be a symbol. There are two
types of symbols: either officially or traditionally. National symbols represent and distinguish a
certain country from other country. It also somehow unites its people and provoke some sense
of nationalism.

The National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) of the Philippines defined that
national symbols represent the country’s traditions and ideas that also convey the principles of
the Philippine Sovereignty (self-governing state) and national solidarity (unity). According to
NCCA, official national symbols of the Philippines are the following: Philippine national flag,
Lupang Hinirang, sampaguita, narra, Philippine eagle, Philippine pearl and arnis. However,
there is also a list of our country’s unofficial but traditional national symbols: anahaw, mango,
carabao or tamaraw, bahay-kubo, bangus, tinikling and adobo or sinigang.

MGA PAMBANSANG SAGISAG

KATEGORYA SAGISAG LARAWAN

Pambansang
Watawat

Pambansang Puno Narra

Panbansang Ibon Agila

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Pambansang Hiyas Perlas

Pambansang Laro Arnis

Pambansang Bayani Jose Rizal

Pambansang Prutas Mangga

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Pambansang Bahay Bahay-kubo

Pambansang Isda Bangus

Pambansang Sayaw Tinikling

Pambansang Dahon Anahaw

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Pambansang Kalesa
Sasakyan

Pambansang Barong Tagalog

Kasuotan ng Lalaki

Pambansang Bara't Saya

Kasuotan ng Babae

Pambansang Hayop Kalabaw

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 Pambansang Sampaguita
Bulaklak

Dr. Jose Rizal is the country’s well-known national hero but nonetheless belongs to the
unofficial national symbol category. However, this does not make him less of a symbol of the
Philippines. Rizal’s name elicits the name of our country internationally. The monuments built by
people in countries where he had been and his books in foreign libraries bear the name of the
Philippines.

According to Dr. Esteban De Ocampo, no other Filipino hero can surpass Rizal. He said
that his birthdate and day of his execution are constantly commemorated by the Filipino people.
Rizal’s name is a byword and his picture are evident in the postage stamps and the one-peso
coin. Numerous towns, barrios and streets were named after him as wells as educational
institutions, societies and trade names. Some people were even named “Rizal” or “Rizalina” by
their parents because of their adoration to Rizal. He also emphasized that Rizal as the Filipino
writer whose teachings and noble thoughts are frequently invoked and quoted by authors and
public speakers on most occasion and it is because according to Rafael Palma, the doctrines of
Rizal are not for one epoch but for all epochs and they are today as they are valid yesterday.

Values Highlighted by Rizal’s Life

The following are the values of Rizal as a National Symbol:

1. Nationalism
Nationalism desires to attain freedom and political independence especially by a country
under foreign power. Jose Rizal’s life works and writings radiates this value.
2. Patriotism
Patriotism denotes proud devotion and loyalty to one’s nation.
3. Faith in God
When Rizal was studying in Madrid, Spain, Rizal thoughts his letters assured his mother of
his faith in God.
4. Love of Fellowmen
Rizal’s thoughts on love for our fellowmen is biblical and timeless.
5. Love of Parents
Rizal’s love for his parents is great and very admirable.
6. Devotion to Truth
Rizal’s persevering search for truth is serving his country was a motivating virtue.
7. Purity and Idealism
Rizal’s was guided by his ideals and he was extraordinary in the purity of his thoughts.
8. Noble thoughts and Conduct

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 Rizal’s works and writing promoted good conduct, clean conscience and upright thinking.
9. Charity
All his sacrifices for his country were charitable acts for his fellowmen.
10. Dedication to Duty
Dedication was one’s of Rizal’s virtue; he dedicated his whole life in securing freedom for his
country.
11. Moral Courage
The moral courage that Rizal had signified is worth imitating by our present leaders.
12. Willpower
The strong determination of Rizal, allowed him to express his ideals and wills through
calmness and peace.
13. Integrity
This refers to the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
14. Sincerity
Rizal’s sincerity is manifested in his acceptance that whatever he possessed he owed them
to God who had planned a duty he had to carry out.
15. Self-Denial
The self-denial of Rizal involved self-sacrifice and altruism.
16. Perseverance
This value let him show his strength in meeting and enduring pain, adversity and peril.
17. Discipline and Self-Control
Rizal’s used reason to determine his actions regardless of his desires. In fact, he deprived
himself of many unsound pleasures.
18. Initiative
The ability to assess and initiate things independently.
19. Prudence
This is care, caution and good judgement as well as wisdom in looking ahead.
20. Chivalry, Courtesy and Politeness
Rizal was an ideal gentleman, one of the qualities of being a chivalry. In addition, he was
always ready to help weak or women.
21. Frugality
He also showed the quality of being economical with money and any other resources; in
simple way, thriftiness.
22. Love for Justice
Rizal found his joy in being just in fighting for justice.

Criteria for National Heroes; Executive Order no.75,1993

On March 28,1993, President Fidel V. Ramos issued Executive Order No. 75 creating the
National Hero Committee under the office of the President “to study and recommend the
proclamation of National Heroes”. After series of thorough discussions, the commission came
up with the new criteria comprising 10 points of standards (Galang, 2021):

1. The extent of a person’s sacrifices for the welfare of the country;

2. The motive and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal: (Was his ideal purely for
the welfare of the country and without any taint of self-interested motives? Most of all, the
method of attainment should be morally valid.)
3. The moral character of the person concerned; (The person should not have any immorality
issue that affected his ideal).
4. The influence of the person concerned on his age/generation and/or the succeeding one;
5. Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the
nation’s freedom;(They must have desired the country’s freedom in any situation especially
when there’s a threat of invasion in any form).

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 6. Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system of life of freedom and order for a
nation;(For instance, someone who helps for the orderliness of the country).
7. Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation;
8. A hero is part of the people’s expression;(The citizen must have recognized and
acknowledged the person as a hero).
9. A hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations; (His concern for the future
generations must be seen in his decisions and ideals).
10. The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in history but
also the entire process that made his particular person a hero.

RECOMMENDED FIGURES AS NATIONAL HEROES (Galang 2021)

1. Jose Rizal
2. Andres Bonifacio
3. Emilio Aguinaldo
4. Apolinario Mabini
5. Marcelo H. del Pilar
6. Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat
7. Juan Luna
8. Melchora Aquino
9. Gabriela Silang

However, no law, executive order or proclamation has been officially enacted or issued
proclaiming any Filipino historical figures a national figure. But, in spite of the absence of
any official declaration openly proclaiming them as national heroes “they remain admired
and revered in their role in Philippines history. Heroes, according to historians, should not be
legislate. Their appreciation should be better left tor academics. Acclamation for heroes,
they felt, would be recognition enough’(2015)

Nonetheless, some Filipino heroes who are not officially proclaimed was given an implied
recognition by making the significant days in their lives a national holidayas.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

1. December 30,1896-Jose Rizal’s day of execution.

2. November 30, 1863- Andres Bonifacio’s date of birth.

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 ACTIVITY 11.1
Identify the word or term being described in each sentence.

_________________1. This is Rizal’s value that showed the quality of being

economical with money.
_________________2. It involves the desire to attain freedom.
_________________3. According to them, heroes should not be legislated.
_________________4. This refers to the quality of being honest and having strong
moral principles.
_________________5. Jose Rizal’s day of execution.
_________________6. Andres Bonifacio’s date of birth.
_________________7. He issued the Executive Order No.75 creating the National
Heroes Committee under the office of the President “to study and recommend the
proclamation of National Heroes.
_________________8. According to him, the doctrines of Rizal are not for one epoch
but for all epochs.
_________________9. This commission states that official national symbols represent
the country’s traditions, ideals and convey the principles of the Philippine sovereignty
and national solidarity.
_________________10. According to him, no other Filipino can surpass Rizal. He said
that his birthdate and day of his execution are constantly commemorated by the Filipino
people.

ACTIVITY 11.2
Answer the following questions:

1. What is the most important symbol in our country? Explain your answer.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
2. What do the symbols in the Philippine flag represent?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
____________________________________

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 FEEDBACK
Hola mis queridos estudiantes! Se divierten leyende este modulo?
“Hello my dear Students! Are you having fun reading this module?”

If you finished reading all the important information in this module I hope you fully appreciate
all the national symbols in the Philippines.

If you are able to answer all the questions without any mistake, congrats you may now
proceed to the next module. If you get a score less than 75 percent of the total number of items,
I suggest reading again the lesson and try to answer the said activities. If you get more than 76
percent of the total number of score try to review and focus to those items that you fail to get the
correct answer. Don’t worry, all is well, sooner or later you will be able to get all the correct answer.

Congratulations! You did a great job!

God bless!

SUMMARY

 Rizal as National Symbol

 Our Country's National Hero.
 The National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA)
 Values Highlighted in Rizal’s life
 Criteria for National Heroes: Executive Order No.75,1993
 Recommended Figures as National Heroes (Galang 2021)

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 REFERENCES

o Zaide G., Zaide S. Jose Rizal: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist
and National Hero. Quezon City. All-Nations Publishing Co., Inc.,
o http://roseshanepalomopi10b1r.blogspot.com/2014/05/introduksyon-sa-pi-10-sa-
kasaysayan-ng.html
o http://magdingasapoyniifrit.blogspot.com/2014/05/heroism-part-iii-ang -salitang-bayani-
sa.html
o Nolasco, Ricardo Ma. D. “Pinagmulan ng Salitang Bayani”, sa Diliman Review, Vol.45, Blg,2-
3,pp.14-18
o Salazar, Zeus A. “Ang Bayani Bilang Sakripisyo:Pag-aanyo ng Pagkabayani sa Agos ng
Kasaysayang Pilipino” nasa Kalamidad Rebolusyon, Kabayaniha: Mga Kahulugan Nito sa
Kasalukuyang Panahon, Lungsod Quezon: ADHIKA ng Pilipinas, 1996
o https://www.scribd.com/document/434230963/Jose-Rizal-and-the-Philippine-
Nationalism:Decastro,Sonsona,Tabiera
o Nicerio, Neil Alvin E.et al, Kamalayang Panlipunan 4, Ang Bansang Pilipinas, Abina Bldg.,851
G.Araneta Ave.1113, Quezon City, Abiva Publishing House,INC.2020

SUGGESTED READINGS
Nelson, Gloria Luz. “Mga Pananaw hinggil sa ugnayan ng talambuhay at lipunan,” in Diestro
D, et al. Si Heneral Paciano Rizal sa Kasaysayang Pilipino. Los Banos: UPLB Sentro
ng Wikang Filipino, 2006.
C. Wright Mills. “The Promise,” The Sociological Imagination. Oxford University Press, 1959,
http://legacy.lclarck.edu/`goldman/socimagination.html
P. Sztompka. “Great Individuals as Agencies of Change” The Socioloy of Social Change.
Wiley. 1993.
Zaide G., Zaide S. Jose Rizal: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist and
National Hero. Quezon City. All-Nations Publishing Co., Inc.,
Ocampo A. Rizal Without the Overcoat. Philippines. Anvil Publishing. 2018

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