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Veneration Without Understanding Interpretation

The article argues that Jose Rizal is venerated without true understanding of his role in Philippine history. While seen as the national hero, he did not actually lead the revolution for independence. Rizal advocated for reform through education rather than armed resistance like Bonifacio. He wanted to make the Philippines an equal province of Spain to gain rights and opportunities through gradual reforms from above. Though not a revolutionary, Rizal's writings helped inspire nationalism and protest against Spanish rule. His contribution to independence should not be undermined despite not having the characteristics of a "real" hero.

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76 views2 pages

Veneration Without Understanding Interpretation

The article argues that Jose Rizal is venerated without true understanding of his role in Philippine history. While seen as the national hero, he did not actually lead the revolution for independence. Rizal advocated for reform through education rather than armed resistance like Bonifacio. He wanted to make the Philippines an equal province of Spain to gain rights and opportunities through gradual reforms from above. Though not a revolutionary, Rizal's writings helped inspire nationalism and protest against Spanish rule. His contribution to independence should not be undermined despite not having the characteristics of a "real" hero.

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Shaina Kim
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Veneration Without Understanding Interpretation

The article entitled, “Veneration Without Understanding '' is written by the author Renato
Constantino who expresses his arguments and doubts about the status of the Filipino people’s
considered national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. The article explored how people should evaluate the
past in order to have a deep understanding of what characteristics a real hero should possess.
It was stated that for a leader to be acknowledged and considered a national hero, they should
be the leader of the country’s revolution. However, it was not Rizal who led the uprising to attain
independence in the country, but rather it was Bonifacio. It was said that Rizal in fact repudiated
the revolution and placed himself against Bonifacio and those Filipino people who were fighting
for the country. While this fact holds great significance in evaluating the history of the past, the
reason for Rizal’s reputation in the revolution and his method for the country’s independence
should also be deeply understood by the majority.

As stated in the article, the author argued that Rizal was an American-sponsored hero as he
was chosen by the Philippine commission because of his detesting the idea of revolution. Unlike
Bonifacio, Rizal is a reformist. He did not advocate independence or armed resistance as a way
to force the government to submit to his will. Rather, he urged reform in order to achieve liberty.
Rizal’s way of attaining independence was through attaining liberty by educating people. The
purpose of his reform was to make the Philippines a province of Spain so that Filipinos will have
equal rights and be provided the same opportunities as the Spaniards had such as education
and political connection. Rizal was aware of the status of the Philippines in terms of its
education and government. As mentioned in the article, Rizal said,” I have also written (and I
repeat my words) that reforms, to be beneficial, must come from above, and those which come
from below are irregularly gained and uncertain.” It was well defined that the Filipino people
were education deprived which hinders them from having enough knowledge to rule their
people. This was the reason why Rizal insisted on gradualism. He wanted to prioritize the
primacy of education to save his country from the domination of the colonizers, and equip his
people with enough knowledge and skills to gain human rights and finally attain independence.
Rizal’s main purpose of being a reformist was for liberty that is carefully thought out and
planned. He did not want to put the people who are involved in the battle at risk of dying and not
being able to win due to their own impulsiveness. Rizal may not have participated in the
revolution or been considered a traitor to his own nation, but through his works and writings had
unraveled the flaws and issues within the Spaniard’s regime. His works such as the novels Noli
me tangere and El filibusterismo had given the Filipinos a sense of nationhood and inspiration to
revolt against the Spanish government and stand up for their voices. He may not possess the
characteristics of a “real” hero as stated in the article, his contribution to the country’s
independence should never be undermined and disregarded without proper knowledge of the
past.
Sources:

(Jose Rizal [Philosophies in Life], n.d.)

Veneration Without Understanding by Renato Constantino Short Summary Essay Example.

(2022, August 19). GraduateWay. Retrieved September 10, 2022, from

https://graduateway.com/veneration-without-understanding-by-renato-constantino/

Villegas, B. (5 C.E.). Did Rizal Really Want Independence? Did Rizal Really Want

Independence? Retrieved September 10, 2022, from

http://www.bernardovillegas.org/resources/Did%20Rizal%20Really%20Want%20Independence.

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