Jose Rizal is not officially the national hero.

There are no laws, executive

orders, or proclamations officially and explicitly proclaiming him.
However, there have been multiple attempts on his official proclamation
as the national hero because he met the criteria. Although not officially
the national hero, Rizal still had substantial contributions to the
freedom and rights we enjoy today.

December 20, 1898

Emilio Aguinaldo decreed December 30 as
national mourning of Rizal and other Spanish
Colonialism’s victims. 1901
US Civil Governor William Howard Taft declared
June 11, 1901 Jose Rizal as a national hero without legislature.
The Taft Commission issued Act No. 137,
honoring Rizal as the Philippines’ greatest hero September 1901
and martyr by renaming the Morong politico- The Taft Commission honored Rizal through Act
military district to Rizal Province. No. 243, constructing a monument in Luneta that
houses his remains.
1902
The Philippine Commission issued Act
No. 345 to declare December 30 Rizal 1956
Day. RA 1425 strengthened Rizal’s reputation as a
National Hero.
1995
The National Heroes Committee (NHC)
recommended nine Filipinos as National heroes,
2016
House Bill 2762 was filed to the House of
including Rizal, but they renounced their Representatives to proclaim Rizal and Bonifacio
recommendation. as national heroes officially. Bill 2762 remained
idle in the Basic Education and Culture Committee
until the 17th Congress ended.

1. Aspire and struggle for 4. Part of the people’s

freedom expressions
Endured hunger and sickness in 51.1 % of the respondents in the
Berlin to expose the injustice, latest survey of Pulse Asia
through the publication of his novel believe Rizal is incomparable.
2. Define or contribute to 5. Thinks of the future
freedom and order
1. La Liga Filipino Foresaw the strengths and
2. Noli Me Tángere weaknesses of the Philippine
3. El Filibusterismo nation.

3. Contribute to the quality of 6. Choices throughout

life and destiny the process
Waged his campaign for government Chose to commit and sacrifice
reforms in the Spanish Parliament for the Philippines, despite the
Served the nation’s cause by challenges to be faced.
producing his greatest works
 2ChE-C | Group 4
AGAWIN | CELEDONIO | FUNA | NICERIO | SY

REFERENCES:
Galasinao L. M. & Obal, A. M. (2015), Who made Jose Rizal our foremost
National Hero, and Why? [PowerPoint].
https://www.slideshare.net/babyboss17/who-made-jose-rizal-our-
foremost-national-hero-and-why?qid=893dc054-614b-40d1-
93cf-98f3760e59ae&v=&b=&from_search=8.
GMA News Online. (1970, January 1). Pulse Asia: 51% of Pinoys believe
no one compares to Rizal. GMA News Online.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/224323/pulse-
asia-51-of-pinoys-believe-no-one-compares-to-rizal/story/.
National Heroes. National Commission for Culture and the Arts. (2017,
November 6). https://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-
profile/selection-and-proclamation-of-national-heroes-and-laws-
honoring-filipino-historical-figures/.
NHCP. (2018, December 30). Rizal's timeless challenge – To Serve the
Nation. PIA News. https://pia.gov.ph/features/articles/1016606.
Ramone, R. J. (2008). Philippine Nationalism: An Analysis of the
Development of Philippine National Identity, 1–109.
https://history.rutgers.edu/docman-docs/undergraduate/honors-
papers-2008/100-philippine-nationalism-an-analysis-of-the-
development-of-philippine-national-identity/
Vera Files. (2019, August 26). VERA FILES FACT CHECK: School
textbooks enshrine Jose Rizal as national hero needs context. Vera
Files. https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-school-
textbooks-enshrine-jose-rizal-n.