contributions to Philippine history that makes

him prominent among other Filipino heroes?

Why Is that Dr. Jose Rizal Our National Here are some of the reasons Rizal is a
Hero? national hero of the Philippines.

First of all we should clarify the meaning of a In late 19th Century, Rizal became the voice
hero to make it quite simple to understand of a people long oppressed by centuries-old
Spanish rule. As an educated man, he was
how Rizal became one. A hero symbolizes
exposed to some of the abuses by Spanish
goodness. Rizal gave us freedom by using friars and government officials. As a founder
goodness. and member of the La Liga Filipina, he
originally pushed for reforms of Spanish
Jose Rizal became the Philippine national colonial rule.
hero because he fought for freedom in a
silent but powerful way. He expressed his He wrote Noli Me Tangere and El
love for the Philippines through his novels, Felibusterismo. Although fictional, the novels
essays and articles rather than through the described the abuses committed by Spanish
use of force or aggression. officials against the locals. Alarmed over the
threat posed by the two novels, angry
He was a very amazing person at his time. Spanish officials pushed for Rizal's arrest
He was humble, fighting for reforms through and exile in Dapitan.
his writings instead of through a revolution.
He used his intelligence, talents and skills in While exiled in Dapitan, Rizal devoted
a more peaceful way rather than the himself to improving the conditions of people
aggressive way. in Dapitan.

It’s because the Americans want it. They During this time, the concept of "Filipino"
proclaimed Rizal as the national hero so was taking shape among the inhabitants of
people in Philippines would see him as a the islands. Before, society was divided
model. They would follow him; people would among Spanish citizens and indios (locals).
just study and develop their talents and skills Some began to form nationalistic ideas.
and they would never be aggressive or be Rizal's two novels inspired locals to call not
against to the Americans who are invading for Spanish government reforms but for
the Philippines that time. They preferred independence from Spain.
Rizal to be the national hero who is silent
rather that Aguinaldo who is Aggressive and This alarmed the Spanish colonial
may be against the Americans. government. In 1896, Rizal was executed in
Bagumbayan (Rizal Park) on charges of
Is it not only the Americans that made Jose sedition and treason. The execution did not
Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Alonzo Realonda prevent the calls for independence to stop.
(June 19, 1861 - December 30, 1896) as a The Katipunan led a full scale revolutionary
Philippine National hero but the Filipinos war against the Spanish colonial
itself, for they seen his patriot works and his government.
very most prominent advocacies for reforms
in the Philippines during the Spanish Although Rizal did not push for
colonial era, most specially his bloodless independence, his writings and execution
fight for the freedom of his mother land. inspired many to revolt against Spain. This
is the primary reason Jose Rizal is a
national hero. He instilled the sense of
His name can be found in almost all corners nationalism among citizens oppressed by
of the Philippines. Roads, schools and even centuries-old Spanish rule.
a province are named after him. His image
can be found in peso bills and coins. Rizal did not advocate for armed struggle.
Monuments are erected in his name He is the epitome of the saying "The pen is
(foremost of this can be found in Rizal Park mightier than the sword." He was also a
in Manila). These are manifestations of the learned man who pushed for the
country's reverence accorded to Jose Rizal emancipation of the people through
as a national hero. education. He advocated for equal rights be
accorded to locals and not just limited to
Why is Rizal a national hero? What are his
Spanish colonials. And finally, he was a “Did Dr. Jose Rizal deserve to be a
martyr that stood for his beliefs. national hero?”

Hi, this is a comment.

Did Dr. Jose Rizal deserve to be a To delete a comment, just log in, and view
national hero? the posts’ comments, there you will have the
By odysseyme23 option to edit or delete them.

Dr. Jose P. Rizal is a hero, yes, but was he YES, He deserve to be our national hero…
worthy to be considered as our national He deserves all the recognition and the
hero? In my own opinion, he only became a importance given to him by the filipino
hero because his family was rich and people, in fact todays society are giving him
famous. They were rich that he had a private less commemoration to what he really earn,
tutor. So rich that he was sent to Manila to judging by the magnitude of his influence
study to prestigious school and even sent to and contribution to the history of the
Spain to widen his wisdom. Because of his Philippines…He is admired not only by the
family’s fortune, he also gained friends and Filipinos but all the freedom loving people of
among them were very well-known and were the world. He is the national hero of the
respected to the society. Without his family’s Philippines because He lived not only by the
money, he would not be able to prosper and point of view of a common Filipino of his
improved himself hence, was able to see the time but he lived as a person with the
disparity between the rich and the poor and mentallity of a free son of man. and finally
even witnessed the maltreatment of the he is our national hero because He
friars against the Filipinos including the possesed one trait that no other hero of his
abuses of the Spanish officials who was time have… the perfect life and a perfect
then running our country. death in perfect timing, theres no other Local
hero of that time that has the same impact
On the other hand, we might as well as Dr. José Rizal have to the Filipino People
consider him as a national hero because of that time…
he’s a multifaceted individual both through
the mind and manipulative areas, not to Well yah..he’s a really great person..a
mention his inherit character and the love to genius indeed..a perfect example for the
people, especially to the poor. His Filipino youth…but i dont think that there
sensitivity to the needs of others was should be sects that worship him..he’s not
overwhelming as evidenced by his sincere God..he’s just a good example for
services to the people as doctor, engineer, everyone…right..?
teacher, artist, farmer and the like. He
fought through his pen, books and Uhm, for me he’s not really deserving unlike
knowledge. He did not fight through guns Bonifacio who deserved to be respested and
and swords. With the articles he has written, honored more than Rizal. Because Bonifacio
of which most of the topics discussed were came from a poor family who really
all about slavery and abused, he has experienced the abuses done by the
touched lives, awakened the people, but Spaniards while Rizal lived a happy and
also provoked the Spaniards thus sent him comfortable life and went to different places
to jail. But even then, he was still fighting, to study. Rizal didn’t want the Philippines to
not for himself or for his family, but more for be free from the Spanish colonizers but
his people, for us through his ideas, through rather to be a province of it, he only thought
poems and other written articles. about himself and other Spanish mestizos
like him to be fair with the Spaniards. So, as
But whether a national hero or not, he did a we can obviously conclude that Rizal did not
very good job for us considering the fact that faught for the independence of the
he had set us all free from slavery and better Philippines, but Bonifacio did! Rizal is also
education. He’s a very good example and an not a good model to us Filipinos, because
inspiration to us, most specially to students he’s a womanizer. And besides the
because of his intelligence and boldness. He Americans chose Rizal to be our national
was not a traitor. He had faced death with hero instead of Bonifacio because Rizal
boldness. He had proven the saying that didn’t oppose the government like Bonifacio
goes, ”A pen is mightier than sword”. did who faught for his principle and right.
Now, you decide., who should be worthy to
be our national hero? Rizal? or Bonifacio?
Jose Rizal is our national hero because he’s i think rizal deserves to be our national hero
a multifaceted individual both through the because come to think of it even though at
mind and manipulative areas, not to mention his time there is discrimination he still fight
his inherit character and the love to people, for the right of every Filipino, he didn’t mind
especially to the poor. His sensitivity to the about what Spaniard could do to him …he
needs of others was overwhelming as do work and publish his work for the
evidenced by his sincere services to the Filipinos to enlighten their mind and saw the
people as doctor, engineer, teacher, artist, corruption that the Spaniard do, even though
farmer and the like. He fought through his he knew the possible consequences of his
pen, books and knowledge. He did not fight action
through guns and swords. With the articles
he has written, of which most of the topics For me Rizal really deserved to be our
discussed were all about slavery and national hero because he fought for freedom
abused, he has touched lives, awakened the in a silent but powerful way. He expressed
people, but also provoked the Spaniards his love for the Philippines through his
thus sent him to jail. But even then, he was novels, essays and articles rather than
still fighting, not for himself or for his family, through the use of force or aggression.
but more for his people, for us through his
ideas, through poems and other written He was a very amazing person at his time.
articles. He sacrificed many things including He was humble, fighting for reforms through
his own life just for us to be freed from his writings instead of through a revolution.
colonial rule. He used his intelligence, talents and skills in
a more peaceful way rather than the
Rizal as a hero, but more than that, the aggressive way.
greatest national hero of the philippines was
a genius, the philippine is very lucky To make it quite simple to understand how
because we have rizal that will defend our Rizal become one First of all we should
country in a way of cognitive thinking, by his clarify the meaning of a hero ……..
pens and by his god given talent as an
individual. This is true, because when you Jose Rizal
are debating you should not have deadly
weapons to lose your opponent, just words ! December 30 may be known for plenty other
order in the court ! events that have occurred throughout history
but in the South East Asian region,
“He only became a hero because his family particularly in Philippines, December 30
was rich and famous”. i don’t think that’s
1896 marked the execution of Jose Rizal,
justifiable.. national heroes are not national
heroes because of their wealth and political Philippines’ National Hero. December 30 is
connections.. if u should know, even people considered a national holiday in the
from other countries salute him. there are Philippines known as Rizal Day, to
even foreign biographers who write about commemorate the martyrdom of Jose Rizal.
rizal’s life and achievements.. he was a A hugely popular figure, the nationalist is
threat to the colonizers because he was known worldwide for his push towards
cunning. he didn’t fight with the sword unlike
reform in the Philippines during the Spanish
bonifacio and the others.. in fact, the
revolution prepared by bonifacio was only Colonial Era and known as the most
the consequence brought about by the pen prominent Filipino; Jose Rizal has left a long
of rizal. if u only knew what he went through lasting legacy and monuments of Rizal has
and what his sacrifices were just for our been erected as far away as the United
freedom, u would regret having said that States and even Czech Republic. Singapore
statement.. i really believe he is worthy of
also has at least one plaque erected in
being our national hero
tribute to Rizal.
He deserved to be our national hero,
Jose Rizal
because we know what he did for us to give
our freedom to live in our own country, to Plaque at the Ancient Civilizations Green
live peacefully no doubt feeling,to live near the Cavenagh Bridge, Singapore, in
comfortable… memory of the Filipino national hero Jose
Rizal (June 19 1861 December 30 1896)
Early Days Death

Jose Rizal, born to a wealthy family on June Rizal was executed in what was then known
19 1861 was a true intellectual; Rizal as Bagumbayan Field (now known as
traveled to Spain, Paris and even Germany Luneta) and was buried in Paco Cemetary in
to gain his second doctorate and was Manila. Even though Rizal is well known as
believed to be conversant in over ten a national hero for the Filipinos, there have
languages. His literary skills writing poems been claims that while Rizal favored
and novels proved to be the key as he peaceful reforms, he approved non-peaceful
became Asia’s very first modern non-violent reforms as well, which led to the Philippine
proponent of political reforms as he urged Revolution. Rizal was also controversial
Philippines to undergo revolution against the through means of his connection with
Spanish Colonial Era. Rizal, through Josephine Bracken, a retraction of his faith
peaceful means, founded The Philippine in the Catholic Church. Despite his
League (known as the La Liga Filipina in the controversies, Jose Rizal was indeed a man
Philippines), an organization to reform the of strong ideas following the likes of
Spanish rule. peaceful activists such as Gandhi,
Rabindranath Tagore and Sun Yat Sen. A
Legacy of Jose Rizal true national hero, his achievement to
reform the Philippines without holding a gun
Rizal was perhaps best known as a or a sword has left a truly memorable
polymath, a man with multiple exceptional legacy.
skills. Besides his talent in writing poems
and novels, Rizal was a well known WHEN Jose Rizal was still alive, his
educator, sculptor, painter, historian, countrymen had already looked up to him as
playwright and ophthalmologist amongst their guide towards reforms, revolution, and
other skills and was also known to be skilled independence from Spanish rule. And when
in fencing, martial arts and in the matters of
he had died, it was also the Filipino people
sociology, economics and cartography.
Rizal’s best known novels were the Noli Me who eventually recognized him as their
Tangere and the El filibusterismo, novels greatest national hero.
that lambasted the Spanish friars and the
Catholic Church and criticized the Spanish In the 1880's, the Filipino propagandists in
Colonial Era more than ever. Rizal’s push Spain and other countries in Europe claimed
for reforms did not end there as under pen that Rizal was the only one capable of
names, he submitted several essays,
uniting them, a model Filipino, the
thought pieces and editorials to express
liberal ideas and equal rights for Filipinos. personification of Spanish Oceania, the
titular head of the Filipinos, their illustrious
Jose Rizal countryman, a distinguished Filipino literary
man, and author of various works that had
Rizal’s largely anti-Spanish reforms led to merited general applause.
him being eventually persecuted and being
in exile from July 1892 onwards. In 1896, They also elected him unanimously as the
the Philippine Revolution was in full swing
honorary president of their society,
when Katipunan, a secret society that was
rebelling against the Spanish Colonialists Asociacion La Solidaridad (Solidarity
started a revolution. Rizal, even though Association), founded on December 31,
disassociating himself from the revolution, 1888, in Barcelona, Spain.
was apprehended in Barcelona and was
charged with the founding of the Philippine
League (La Liga Filipina), a claim by the The Rizal Cult
Spaniards that La Liga Filipina was meant to
create the rebellion which sparked the
revolution. Rizal was also charged for In the Philippines, Andres Bonifacio
involvement in the ongoing rebellion and established the Rizal cult or the tradition of
was sentenced to be executed on December venerating Rizal.
30.
As the supreme leader of the Katipunan, he
ordered that the word Rizal be used as the Filipino martyr was the greatest Filipino
password of Bayani (Patriot), the highest- hero.
grade Katipunero; that Rizal's pictures be
hung in the meeting hall of the Katipunan Original Rizal Day
Supreme Council and in other meeting On December 20, 1898, President
places; and that Rizal's name be used as a Aguinaldo issued a decree designating
Katipunan cry for unity and liberty. He also December 30 as a national day of mourning
elected Rizal as the Katipunan honorary "in memory of the great Filipino patriot Dr.
president, and solicited Rizal's views Jose Rizal and others who faithfully loved
regarding their plans against Spain. the native land and were martyred by the
former Spanish domination."
In early 1897, while in Cavite trying to
reconcile the local Katipunan factions, An Insane Theory
Bonifacio issued a proclamation There is a theory which claims that it was
condemning the Spanish atrocities against the American colonial authorities,
Filipinos, and "the brutal execution of our particularly William Howard Taft, who
most beloved countryman, the Honorable declared Rizal as the national hero,
Jose Rizal." encouraged the cult venerating Rizal as the
Greatest Filipino Patriot country's greatest patriot, and made
December 30 a holiday.
On March 22, 1897, General Emilio
Aguinaldo was elected president of the Taft, who arrived in the country on June 3,
revolutionary government that replaced the 1900, served as chairman of the Second
Katipunan. In December 1897, after signing Philippine Commission, the body that U.S.
a peace treaty with the Spanish rulers, he President William McKinley created to
and his companions left for Hong Kong; but exercise the legislative powers of the U.S.
since the Spaniards had no intent of colonial government in the Philippine
honoring the treaty, they decided to return to Islands.
the country. In April 1898, their comrades
issued a proclamation, whose concluding The theory has it that because Taft, during a
part said: session of the Commission, decided that
Rizal be the national hero, Rizal Day has
"Our unworthy names are as nothing, but become a public holiday since then. Taft's
one and all of us invoke the name of the decision became the genesis of Rizal Day.
greatest patriot our country has seen, in the
sure and certain hope that his spirit will be There is no law, proclamation, or any other
with us in these moments and guide us to document which Taft signed and in which he
victory -- our immortal Jose Rizal." said: "I, William Howard Taft, hereby declare
Rizal as your national hero." Nothing.
Signed by the members of the Central
Filipino Committee in Hong Kong, this Governor William Howard Taft made Rizal
document hailed Rizal as the greatest patriot the National Hero in 1901.
of the Filipino people. The revolutionary
leaders knew that he was their inspiration, "Taft, with other American colonial officials
their rallying cry, and their unparalleled and some conservative Filipinos, chose him
countryman, hence the greatest patriot ever (Rizal) as a model hero over other
to come out of their native land. contestants - Aguinaldo too militant,
Bonifacio too radical, Mabini unregenerate."
It was the Filipino people who felt,
recognized, and hailed that the most In the 1920's and 1930's, some Americans
beloved Filipino and the most famous who wrote books on the Philippines were
ignorant of the admiration, tributes, and the
holiday that the Filipinos had already
bestowed on Rizal. Their ignorance led them J.Rizal was able to put his principles into
to assume, allege, and finally claim that it writing. Through that, he made friends not
was the American colonial authorities who only here in the country but also overseas.
elevated Rizal to greatness. Thus, this Those friends of his documented his life and
theory was born, and since then it has those exist until now. Not only is he the
brainwashed many readers, students, national hero of the Philippines but
writers, and scholars of Philippine history. considered to be the greatest in the Malay
race.
This theory is an insanity, if not stupidity,
because how can the alleged decision of A. Bonifacio was without a doubt
Taft making Rizal the national hero be the courageous even with his disability. He was
origin of Rizal Day when before Taft arrived surpassed by J. Rizal because of education
in the country, the Filipinos had already and his interactions with others.
recognized Rizal as their greatest patriot
and had already celebrated December 30 as Why is Jose Rizal a National hero?
their first-ever national holiday? Jose could write the alphabet at age three
and was reading and writing by age five.
While his talent for art was also
Why is Jose Rizal the national hero of the acknowledged, he was never provided any
Philippines? formal training. Leonardo never attended a
because he had the heroic virtues in perfect university, while Jose not only attended four
balance top quality universities but earned two
...he's an idealist but not blinded by idealism doctorates. His student performance was
(unlike bonifacio) always sobresaliente (outstanding).
...his life was well documented (in complete, Leonardo only spoke Italian.
and i mean unabridged form. The man is Jose not only spoke Italian but twenty-one
obviously fond of writing his daily journals other languages. His linguistic fluency was
(diary as i term it), even annotating books such that he graduated from universities in
that he has read - these gave us the chance three different countries.
to know him best, as compared to our other Jose Rizal was a pacifist. Both Gandhi and
heroes. So almost all of his thoughts are Nehru credit him with originating the concept
virtually known, and preserved..and utilized, of “passive resistance”. Passive Resistance
till now. Most of them are even considered eventually freed India from British colonial
timeless. This definitely gave him an edge rule.
on the 'national hero' title. In contrast Leonardo spent much of his life
...his life was like a well written stage drama, designing and building “war machines”,
that would literally be highly endorsed by the unfortunately many of his designs were
MTRCB. The story had a strong foundation impractical and/or failures. His “helicopter”,
(education , values and patriotism), it has its “tank” and “airplane”, while ahead of their
humour (his promiscuity), it has rich time, were poorly designed and would not
complicated conflicts (battle against the actually work.
colonist, against his fellowmen, against
himself). And its end, - tragic, heavy, During Leonardo’s 67 years he is credited
unforgettable. His life was a drama, an with being a : scientist, mathematician,
excellent one. And he wrote it. For us. engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter,
sculptor, architect, musician, writer,
His Noli and Fili hadnt made this man our aeronaut, botonist, civil engineer, chemist,
national hero, it was his other obra, his life. geologist, optical engineer, and zoologist.
He was a concious hero.
During Jose’s brief 35 years he is credited
As insane as it is...Jose Rizal is more
with being an: anthropologist, architect,
marketable than Andres Bonifacio.
artists, businessman, cartoonists,
cartographer, civil rights reformist, dramatist, The National Heroes Committee
diarist, editor, essayist, educator, economist, recommended the Jose Rizal, Andres
ethnologist, engineer, Freemason, hospital Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario
Mabini, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Sultan
director, scientific farmer, historian, inventor,
Dipatuan Kudarat, Juan Luna, Melchora
journalist, linguist, musician, mythologist, Aquino, and Gabriela Silang to be
nationalist, naturalist, novelist, ophthalmic recognized as national heroes on November
surgeon, pacifist, poet, propagandist, 15, 1995:[1] Up to now, no action has been
psychologist, playwright, martial artist, taken for these recommended National
scientist, sculptor, sociologist, teacher, Heroes.
theologian and writer. He was also an expert
In August 2009, shortly after the death of
swordsman and an excellent shot. He
former President Corazon Aquino, widow of
carried on a very active correspondence Benigno Aquino, legislative measures have
with intellectuals from around the world, been filed calling for her official recognition
often in their own language. as a national hero.[2][3]

I do not want to denigrate Leonardo da History

Vinci. He was a genius and far ahead of his
1890s
time but it becomes immediately obvious
that Jose Rizal accomplish ten times as Already admired in his lifetime for his
much in half the time. He was NOT just the nationalistic writings and activities, Jose
“greatest man of the brown race”; he was a Rizal was executed for treason on
great man of all races. December 30, 1896 by the Spanish colonial
government. His writings had helped inspire
the Philippine Revolution against colonial
Other Heroes and their remarkable rule. On December 20, 1898, Emilio
deeds. Aguinaldo, President of the Philippine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia insurgent government, decreed December
30 of every year a day of national mourning
A national hero of the Philippines is a in honor of Rizal and other victims of the
Filipino who has been recognized as a hero revolution. Henceforth, December 30 has
for his or her role in the history of the been celebrated as Serrano Day.[1]and
country. Loosely, the term may refer to all
Filipino historical figures recognized as 1900s
heroes, but the term more strictly refers to
those officially designated as such. In 1995 By the start of the 20th century, the
the Philippine National Heroes Committee Philippines had become a territory of the
officially recommended several people for United States. Rizal was given special
the designation, but this was not acted upon. attention as a hero by the American colonial
Currently, no one has ever been officially administration. This was because Rizal was
recognized as a Philippine national hero.[1] interpreted to represent peaceful political
advocacy, unlike more radical people whose
The reformist writer Jose Rizal, today ideas could inspire resistance against
generally considered the greatest Filipino American rule.[4][5] Rizal was selected over
hero and often given as the Philippine the revolutionaries Andres Bonifacio, who
national hero, has never been explicitly was viewed as too radical, and Apolinario
proclaimed as the (or even a) national hero Mabini, who was considered
by the Philippine government.[1] Besides unregenerate.[5] In June 1901, Act No. 137
Rizal, the only other Filipinos currently given of the Taft Commission reorganized the
implied recognition as national heroes are district of Morong into the Province of
revolutionary Andres Bonifacio[1] and Rizal.[1]
Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. While other
historical figures are commemorated in 1910s
public municipal or provincial holidays, Rizal,
Bonifacio and Aquino are commemorated in On February 23, 1918, the Philippine
public nationwide (national) holidays and Legislature issued Act No. 2760 which
thus are implied to be national heroes.[1] promoted the creation, maintenance, and
improvement of national monuments,
particularly the creation of a monument in character and remarkable achievements for
memory of Andres Bonifacio, leader of the the country.[1]
Katipunan secret society which
spearheaded the Philippine Revolution.[1] On November 30, 1994 (Bonifacio Day),
President Ramos issued Proclamation No.
1920s 510 which declared the year 1996 (the
centennial of the Philippine Revolution) as
On February 16, 1921, the Philippine the Year of Filipino Heroes.[1]
Legislature enacted Act No. 2946, which
made November 30 of each year a legal The National Heroes Committee
holiday to commemorate the birth of Andres recommended the following nine individuals
Bonifacio, henceforth called Bonifacio Day.[1] to be recognized as national heroes on
November 15, 1995:[1]
1930s
 Jose Rizal[1]
On October 28, 1931, the Philippine  Andres Bonifacio[1]
Legislature issued Act No. 3827, declaring  Emilio Aguinaldo[1]
the last Sunday of August of every year as  Apolinario Mabini[1]
National Heroes Day.[1]  Marcelo H. del Pilar[1]
 Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat[1]
1960s  Juan Luna[1]
 Melchora Aquino[1]
By or even before 1960, Rizal was already  Gabriela Silang[1]
held in such esteem that he was referred to
as the Philippine national hero, even though Their report was submitted to the
no legislation had been passed making it Department of Education, Culture and
official. That year, historian Teodoro Sports on November 22 of that year.
Agoncillo wrote in his History of the Filipino However, no action was taken afterwards. It
People that the Philippine national hero, was speculated that any action might cause
unlike those of other countries, was not "the a number of requests for proclamation or
leader of its liberation forces".[6] Agoncillo trigger debates that revolve around the
noted the sentiments of certain quarters controversies about the concerned historical
calling for Rizal's replacement as the figures.[1]
national hero by Andres Bonifacio, since
Rizal was interpreted as ultimately a 2000s
reformist content to be under Spain, not a
revolutionary wishing for independence. He On July 25, 2007 President Gloria
himself opined that Bonifacio should not Macapagal Arroyo approved Republic Act
replace Rizal as the national hero but be No. 9256, which declared the Monday
honored alongside him.[6] nearest August 21 a nationwide special
holiday in honor of Senator Benigno "Ninoy"
1970s Aquino, Jr., called Ninoy Aquino Day.
August 21 is Aquino's death anniversary.[7].
Historian Renato Constantino, building upon On the same date President Macapagal-
sentiments noted by Agoncillo, wrote in his Arroyo also approved Republic Act No.
1970 essay Veneration Without 9492, which decreed that National Heroes
Understanding that Rizal was unworthy of Day be celebrated on the last Monday of
his high status since he was a "United August, Bonifacio Day on the Monday
States-sponsored hero".[4] nearest November 30, and Rizal Day on the
Monday nearest December 30.[8].
1990s
Following the death of President Corazon
President Fidel V. Ramos formed the "Cory" Aquino on August 1, 2009, two
National Heroes Committee on March 28, resolutions, House Joint Resolution Nos. 41
1993 under Executive Order No. 75, titled and 42, have been filed proposing her
"Creating the National Heroes Committee official recognition as a national hero with
Under the Office of the President". The her birthdate January 25 as Cory Aquino
National Heroes Committee was tasked to Day.[2][3]
study, evaluate and recommend Filipino
national heroes to recognize their heroic