UNIT VI.

JOSE RIZAL AND PHILIPPINE NATIONALISM: NATIONAL

SYMBOL
Overview
Our national symbols represent the ideals and represent our sovereignty as one
nation. These symbols have been legislated in our laws. Here in this unit, it will give you an
idea about Jose Rizal, a hero who symbolizes goodness that gave us freedom by using
goodness and Philippine Nationalism.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. examine the values highlighted by various representations of Rizal as a
national symbol; and
2. advocate for the values Rizal's life encapsulates.

Lesson Proper
The way our national hero José Rizal is celebrated in the Philippines as a national
hero finds no match in the world. Shrines and monuments dedicated to his figure are
abundant throughout the country, and his name often indicates the most popular street or
plaza in town. Rizal is a subject in the university as it has become a symbol of Philippine
patriotism.

SYMBOL NATIONAL SYMBOL

Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes a Every country or state has its
symbol as an action, object, or event that own national symbols to
expresses or represents a particular idea distinguish itself from others
or quality. In a culture, some things are and to unite its people. It
conventionally associated with meaning provokes some sense of
and become symbols, either officially or nationalism.
traditionally.

National Symbols of the Philippines

• National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) – stated that the official
national symbols represent the country's traditions and ideals and convey the
principles of the Philippines' sovereignty and national solidarity.
Official National Symbols
 LupangHinirang (national hymn)
 Philippine National Flag
 Philippine eagle (national bird)
 Philippine pearl (national gem)
 Sampaguita (national flower)
 Narra (national tree)
 Arnis (national game)

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Rizal as a National Symbol
Although Dr. Jose Rizal is widely recognized as our national hero, he nonetheless belongs to
unofficial national symbols. However, it does not make him less of a fitting symbol of the
Philippines Jose Rizal's name and memory have long been representing and symbolizing our
country. Even in the international arena, Rizal's name elicits the name of our country. The
monuments built by people in countries where he had been and his books (and the books about
him) in foreign libraries necessarily bear the name Philippines.
The day of Rizal's introduction to the world and the day of his execution are fittingly
celebrated by all classes of our kin all through the length and broadness of this nation and even by
Filipinos and their companions abroad. His name is a byword in each Filipino home. At the same
time, his image embellishes the postage stamp and [Philippine Coin] No other Filipino saint can
surpass Rizal in the number of towns, barrios, and avenues named after him in the number of
instructive establishments, social orders and exchange names that bear his name in the number of
people the two Filipinos and outsiders who were named "Rizal" or "Rizalina" because of their folks'
appreciation for the incomparable Malayan. Who is the Filipino writer and thinker whose teachings
and noble thoughts have been frequently invoked and quoted by authors and public speakers on
almost all occasions? None but Rizal, and why is this so? Because as biographer Rafael Palma (1)
said, "The doctrines of Rizal are not for one epoch but all epochs. They are as valid as they were
yesterday. It cannot be said that because the political ideals of Rizal have been achieved because of the
change in the institutions, the wisdom of his counsels or the value of his doctrines have ceased to be
opportune.”

Executive Order No. 75, 1993

MALACAÑ ANG, MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 75

CREATING THE NATIONAL HEROES COMMITTEE UNDER THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

WHEREAS, the State is mandated to foster patriotism and nationalism among the citizens, especially the youth, pursuant
to Article II, Sections 13 and 17, of the Constitutions;

WHEREAS, the State, through its educational system, is also mandated to inculcate patriotism and nationalism, and the
appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country pursuant to Article XIV, Section 3
(2), of the Constitution;

WHEREAS, Almighty God has gifted the sovereign Filipino people with National Heroes, the men and women of sterling
character and remarkable achievements that directed, and continue to direct, the country's historic destiny.

WHEREAS, it is timely and appropriate to proclaim these National Heroes, the renowned achievers of their generations
and the shining exemplars of these times;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby
order:

SECTION 1. A National Heroes Committee is hereby created, composed of the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports as
Chairman, and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of National Defense as Members, to study and recommend
the proclamation of National Heroes. 2

SEC. 2. All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government, including government-owned
or controlled corporations, are hereby directed to extend the fullest support to the National Heroes Committee.
 and the shining exemplars of these times;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby
order:

SECTION 1. A National Heroes Committee is hereby created, composed of the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports as
Chairman, and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of National Defense as Members, to study and recommend
the proclamation of National Heroes.

SEC. 2. All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government, including government-owned
or controlled corporations, are hereby directed to extend the fullest support to the National Heroes Committee.

SEC. 3. The private sector is hereby urged to assist the National Heroes Committee in the performance of its functions.

SEC. 4. The National Historical Commission shall act as Secretariat of the National Heroes Committee.

SEC. 5. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

It was done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of March in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-three.

(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS

President of the Philippines

By the President:
(Sgd.) ANTONIO T. CARPIO
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel
Source: Presidential Management Staff
Office of the President of the Philippines. (1993). [Executive Order Nos. : 1 – 125]. Manila: Presidential
Management Staff.

Criteria for National Heroes: Executive Order No. 75, 1953

The notion of recognizing heroes began in 1900 when the Philippine Commission approved
Act No. 137, combining the Morongand Manila were known as Province of Rizal. In honor of Dr. Jose
Rizal from then on, some heroes commemorated everywhere in the country. During the presidency
of Ferdinand Marcos, he tasked the NHC to come up with the national hero criteria. After many
years President Fidel V. Ramos, on March 28, 1993, issued Executive Order No.75 means to study
and recommend the proclamation of National Heroes. After a series of through discussions the
commission came up with new criteria comprising 10 points or standards:
1. The extent of a person's sacrifices for the welfare of the country.
2. The motive and method employed in the attainment of the ideal.
3. The moral character of the person concerned.
4. The influence of the person concerned about his age/generation or the succeeding ones.
5. True heroes are those who have a concept of nation and, after that, aspire and struggle
for the nation's freedom.
6. Heroes define and contribute to a system of life of freedom and order for a country.
7. Heroes are those who provide the quality of life and destiny of a nation.
8. A hero is a part of people's expression.
9. The hero often thinks of the future, especially the future generations.
10. The choice of a hero involves recounting an episode or events in history and the entire
process that made this particular person a hero.
After two years of lingering debates and deliberations, the National Heroes Committee
recommended the following figures as national heroes:
 Jose Rizal
 Andres Bonifacio

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  Apolinario Mabini
 Emilio Aguinaldo
 Marcelo H. Del Pilar
 Sultan DipatuanKudarat
 Juan Luna
 Melchora Aquino
 Gabriela Silang
Neither Pres. Fidel V. Ramos nor any individual from the organization followed up on the
council's suggestion. Choice and Proclamation of National Heroes and Laws Honoring Filipino
Historical Figures–expressed this was likely because this may trigger a surge of solicitation for
announcements. The decrees can trigger unpleasant discussions, including valid debates about the
saints.
There is no law, official request, or announcement that has been formally sanctioned or
given broadcasting Rizal or some other Filipino chronicled figures as a national legend.
Consequently, laws sanctioned and announcements gave regarding a few names due to their
significant jobs during the time spent country building and commitments to history. Even Rizal was
not officially proclaimed as a national hero; nonetheless, he was given an implicit recognition as his
day of execution, December 30, has been made a national holiday. Aside from him, Andres
Bonifacio’s day of birth, November 30, has been declared a national holiday, too.
Despite the absence of any official proclamation, these historical figures remain admired
and revered for their role in Philippine history. Historians said that heroes should not be legislated,
and their appreciation should be better left to academics. Rizal holds the status of being an all-
around acclaimed Philippine national legend, somewhat a tribute to the continued worship or
approval of the individuals as an affirmation of his commitment to the significant social changes
that occurred in the Philippines.

Laws Honoring Heroes and Other Historical Figures

Jose Rizal
 Decree of December 20, 1898
It was declared by Emilio Aguinaldo that December 30 th of every year as the national day of
mourning for Rizal and other victims of the revolution.
 Act No. 137
Organized the district of Morong into the Province of Rizal
Andres Bonifacio
 Act No. 2946
Enacted to make November 30 a legal holiday to commemorate the birth of Andres
Bonifacio
 Act No. 2760

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 Confirmed and ratified all steps taken for national monuments, particularly for the erection
of a statue of Andres Bonifacio.
Graciano Lopez-Jaena
 R.A. No. 7090
Declares December 18th of every year as a special working public holiday throughout the
country or the Graciano Lopez-Jaena Day.
Dona Aurora Aragon Quezon
 R.A. No. 7285
Declares February 19th of each year as a special non-working holiday in the Province of
Aurora to commemorate her birthday.
Julian Felipe
 R.A. 7805
Declares January 28 of every year as a non-working special public holiday in the City of
Cavite to be known as Julian Felipe Day

Pres. Manuel A. Roxas

 Act No. 9067
Declares April 15th of every year as President Manuel A. Roxas Day, which shall be observed
as a special working public holiday in the Province of Capiz and City of Roxas.
Benigno “NINOY” Aquino Jr.
 Act No. 9256
Declares August 21 every year as Ninoy Aquino Day and a non-working holiday to
commemorate his assassination.

References

Book
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writings, and legacies of our Bayani. Mutya Publishing House, Inc., Malabon City, Metro
Manila.
Ocampo, A. (2010). Looking back. Philippines, Anvil Publishing Inc.
Ocampo, A. (2012). Rizal without the overcoat Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Anvil
Publishing Inc.
Zaide, G. F., &Zaide, S. M. (1984). Jose Rizal, Life, Works, and Writings of a Genius, Writer,
Scientist, and National Hero. Philippines: National Bookstore, Inc.
Internet
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Bayani-sa.html

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