GE9 Lesson 14

GE9-LESSON 14
THE PHILIPINES IN 19TH CENTURY

What is a hero? According to Zeus A. Salazar, definitions have cultural contexts (Chua, 2018). Therefore,
the terms “heroism” and “kabayanihan” may be similar but have different meanings. The Greeks originated
the concept of heroism. For example, Hercules is considered a hero because of his character and abilities
that he uses for the greater good. Moreover, through the western-inspired education system, we think of
heroes as these characters with superhuman abilities.
“Bayani” can be related to the Bisayan word for warriors “bagani,” which means fearless, and “wani,” which
means help and concern. “Wani” is also the root word in “kawani” (Tagalog for staff), which means
someone who gives service to the nation (bayan) without expecting anything in return. Bayani also came
from the root word “bayan,” which means a famous leader or personality that supports the nation’s interest,
that is, those who are “makabayan,” “makamasa,” “makamahirap,” or died under the causes of Bonifacio,
Sakay, and other Katipuneros, thereby forfeiting other wealthy illustrados to be called as heroes (Chua,
2018).
To reconcile the varying definition of bayani or kabayanihan, the center of all differences will be based on
inner individual motivation on how they perform their duties in the account of history to them as selflessly
advocating the interest of the nation, thereby showing a deep sense of humility, becoming a good model to
the youth, and most especially giving a sense of national unification as what we have tackled in module 1,
as crafted by the National Heroes Commission by Marcos in 1970s and Ramos Administration in 1990s.
Is Rizal fit to be called the national hero? Here are different views opposing Rizal as the national hero.
1. He was an elite. Although he is famous in the paragon “pride of the Malay race” as one of the
leading propagandists in Asia of promoting nationalism, thereby making the Philippines the
first Republic nation in the region, he was a son of haciendero and principalia who in the
context of 19th century in the Philippines was one of the elite who abused the native Filipinos
securing their interest to be in the top chain of the feudal-infested old system.
2. Language barrier. All his letters and communication, even his famous novel that inspired the
revolution, are written in a foreign language. How come a perceived hero is a Spanish
language advocate rather than our native language (e.g., Tagalog)?
3. He did not give his consent to the revolution. In his highly confidential talk with Bonifacio’s
emissary Dr. Valenzuela, he dissuaded the latter from starting the revolution against Spain.
He also disapproved of the suggestion of Bonifacio to save him from the execution in Fort
Santiago. He gave a manifesto wherein he called such action suicide and advised seeking
reconciliation with Spain.
4. A US-made hero. By virtue of Act 137, the province of Rizal, which was formerly named
Morong, was established. Act 243 erected the honor monument of Rizal in Luneta. Act 345
required the observance of Rizal’s death anniversary. Filipinos are conditioned by the US
colonizers to perceive Rizal as the nation’s model of unification with them and halting the long
tiring guerilla warfare with them. The US also used Rizal instead of Bonifacio or Aguinaldo as
the best candidate for national hero under the Taft Commission because of his good handle
on his temper and that he died in a dramatic manner.
5. He was also once a colonial lover. Numerous writings and even essays of Rizal promoted
solidarity with the mother colonizer (Spain) and promoted equality and reforms instead of a
bloody revolution for self-governance.
6. A heretic. Considering his opposing arguments against the Catholic Church, many

parishioners were afraid that youth’s innocence and uncorrupted conscience might jeopardize
their faith and became an atheist.
These negative factors about Rizal raise the question of why he should get the title of the national hero.
Before we answer this question, let us define first the difference between de facto and de jure
terminologies. In law and government, de jure ("by law") describes practices that are legally recognized,
regardless of whether the practice exists. By contrast, de facto ("in fact") describes situations that exist,
even if they are not legally recognized. For example, two presidents in the Philippines were in the position
in our country at the same time, that is, Manuel Quezon and Jose Laurel, in 1942. Meanwhile, in 1986,
Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino overlapped in their run as President. Which is the de facto and the
de jure one? Marcos is the de jure because he has officially announced the winner by the law (Congress),
while Aquino is de facto because she took the government unofficially by coup d’état. In the eyes of the US,
Quezon is the de jure president in accordance with the 1935 Constitution, while Laurel is de facto because
he gained the presidency by the appointment of the ruling enemy of the US, which was the Japanese
Army.
Why is Rizal considered a de facto national hero? Various arguments arise in the Congress during the
Ramos Administration (1997) because Rizal has numerous monuments erected all over the country and
abroad. These places and streets were named after Rizal. Rizal’s monument is used as a platform for a
visiting sovereign to pay respect. His popularity and compilation of his deeds are enshrining completely in
our national archives locally and internationally. However, the National Heroes Commission considered
Rizal as a national symbolism legally. Ramos had the same opinion, but his secretary in education (Ricardo
Gloria) believed that there should be a stop in calling Rizal the National Hero, especially because a strong
call of putting Bonifacio in the limelight will create division in our country instead of achieving national
unifications. Therefore, why should Rizal be considered a national hero?
1. He inspired other heroes. If you will go back to Rizal’s time, even his compatriots (even
Bonifacio) regarded him as their own hero. Even the highest code of Katipunan was penned
in his name. Portraits and even his novel are used as the inspiration of other heroes.
2. He is a good youth model. The majority of his works, ideas, and sacrifices are more
acceptable than the shortlist of heroes to be conferred by the National Heroes Commission.
Being born as elite or member of the infamous principalia does not mean he also maltreated
other “indios.” In fact, his family also experienced injustices and discrimination. Using Rizal as
a unification material hits two birds in one stone because he is a man in the circle of elites and
a man in the clique of struggling mass.
3. For him, language is not a barrier. Rizal uses the soul of the nation, which is the language,
to create connectivity and understanding. His teachings and writings were written in Spanish
because he wanted to convey to the Spaniards the negative effect of Spanish
mismanagement on the country. We cannot imply that Rizal is a traitor of our native language;
in fact, he is the one who founded Filipinology, which is the study of Filipinos in its
uniqueness, and even created its first compilation of ethnography and thesis entitled Tagalog
Metrical Art (Tagalische Verskunst pronounced as tagalins shuvenskuns) with the help of
European experts and Filipino grammatist Graciano Lopez-Jaena. He invoked his studies and
benchmarking in Europe for developing our nationhood.
4. He promotes sustainable action. Being maligned as a colonial advocate is a wrong notion

of his vision of “pen is mightier than the sword.” He believes that education is an essential
weapon that endures its success in a much holistic way than choosing a narrow-sighted plan
of war without calculating your strengths and advantages. Remember the art of war (Sun Tsu)
that you can win a hundred wars if you know the strategies and actions of your enemy.
5. He was a believer. Contrary to the misconception of the Catholics that Rizal maligned their
beliefs, Rizal introduced a rational approach to understanding religion. He used the basis of
science, reality, and God in appreciating the existence of the Almighty One. Why would you
despise Rizal’s effort if it also coincided with St. Thomas Aquinas's argument? He only
attacked other spiritual leaders who used religion to threaten our countrymen and abused it
for their own greed. Religion during their time was used as a business in contrast to what the
Bible said in 2 Corinthians 2:17, “For we are not, as so many, peddling (engaging to selling or
business) the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God
in Christ” (New King James Version).

GE9 Lesson 14

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

GE9 Lesson 14

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

GE9 Lesson 14

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

GE9-LESSON 14

THE PHILIPINES IN 19TH CENTURY

6. A heretic. Considering his opposing arguments against the Catholic Church, many

4. He promotes sustainable action. Being maligned as a colonial advocate is a wrong notion

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.