Republic of the Philippines

NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY

Victorino Salcedo Sara Campus, Brgy. Anoring, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No.

Course Code : GE 12
Descriptive Title : Life and Works of Rizal
Term and Academic Year : 1st Semester, AY 2024-2025
Department and Year Level : BSCRIM III
Professor : ANA MIE B. SOBREVEGA

Module 4, Lesson 1
Rizal as National Hero

I. Introduction
In this module, we shall be discussing the reason why Dr. Jose Rizal became a symbol of the Philippine struggle
for independence, and is known as the national hero.

At the end of this module, you are tasked to answer the assessment found in the “assessment” section.

Time Frame: 4 hours Date of Submission:

II. Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson you must have:
1. provided the idea how Rizal was chosen as a national hero;
2. understood the contribution of some heroes during the establishment of revolutionary organization; and
3. analyzed the controversies surrounding the choice of Rizal as the national hero.

III. Learning Contents

National Hero and Nationhood
Historically speaking, a nation can be born in many ways. It can be established either by its people or by
colonizers. The Philippines is an example of nation-state created by colonizers. Many people, especially nationalists,
would contend that the founding of the Philippines was only formalized in 1898. As colonizers, the Spaniards ruled the
country by “ the cross and the sword” for 333 years. Having cemented their status as colonial masters, the Spaniards
reigned over the native datus who lost their sovereign power and freedom in governing their respective communities.
In the latter part of 19 th century, the Filipinos were compelled to revolt against the Spaniards to regain their
freedom and control over the country’s political affairs. There were also movements campaigning for reforms and
representation in the Spanish Cortes. With these political events at the fore, hero-leaders were needed to unite and
inspire the people to fight for the conquered earchipelago. Many heroes led the people and served as inspirations to
the freedom fighters. One of them was Dr. Jose Rizal. For the countless sacrifices he made for the country, he was later
on named national hero by the American colonial and transitionary government. As national hero, Rizal was honored
for unifying the Filipinos and triggering their national awakening. This is the ultimate role of a national hero – uniting a
divided people and leading them towards sovereignty and the arduous task of nation-building.
It has been more than a century since Rizal was proclaimed as the Philippines’ national hero. To many, he is an
exemplar hero-leader worthy of the people’s respect and admiration. However, there are still people who continue to
question the legitimacy of his status as national hero. This attack on Rizal is inevitable as is all attacks on personalities
who, like him, participated in shaping an nation’s history. Up to this day, issues have been raised to discredit Rizal’s
ideas and heroic exploits. Some of his detractor’s event went as far as digging into his personal life. The recognition
created disagreements between the pr-Rizal and anti-Rizal. On the one hand, Rizal’s supporters continued to promote
his legacy. For them his death solidified his legacy. Rizal labored for the interest, aspirations and ideals that represent
the national sentiments of the Filipinos. On the other hand, Rizal’s critics continue to bring up his denouncement of the
Philippines Revolution, his alleged detraction statement, and his aspirations for annexation.

What is a National Hero?

Lengthy discussions and debates about heroism would not suffice to arrive at a definitive definition of a
national hero. Understanding the importance of an national hero, though, must be underscored at this point of clarify
the weight and relevance the title bears. During the selection process of the official candidates, the screening
committee weighted the contribution of a particular candidate to the country’s national interests. For instance, former
President Jose P. Laurel believed that a national hero should play a significant role in the development of country.
Rizal is considered by scholars as a unique national hero. Why? In most cases, a national hero is a rebel leader
or a military general. It is rare for an intellectual to be declared as a national hero. Aside from being a man of peace,
Rizal was a practicing eye specialist, agronomist, fencer, painter, and writer. (Chen (1982) likened Rizal to Dr. Sun Yat-
sen, the nationalist leader of the Republic of China, for his advocacy of education and liberal reform. Rizal was also
known as the “Apostle of Asian Nationalism” for being the first to recognize the importance of nationalism for countries
emerging from the embers of colonialism. The main thrust of Rizal’s nationalism is love of countrymen, and not love for

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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY
Victorino Salcedo Sara Campus, Brgy. Anoring, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No.

the Filipino proletariat alone (Hamada, 2005). His nationalism is based on an encompassing reality and not mere
fragments of it.
The essence of spirit of his life and ideas is alive up to this day. His life and teachings are seen as building
blocks of the Filipino character for years to come. In the past, it was said that Rizal was a transcendent hero. This
impression of him was supported by Trillana (2006) who noted that Rizal was a unique Filipino historical figure because
of his universal appeal. His ideas not only resonate among diverse social classes but also bridge the Filipinos’ past,
present, and future.

Choosing the National Hero

Choosing and proclaiming a Filipino national hero is one of the biggest milestones in Philippine history. Even
without the initiative of the Americans, Filipino leaders like General Emilio Aguinaldo and Andres Bonifacio recognized
Rizal’s leadership and martyrdom. In fact, the group of Aguinaldo commemorated Rizal’s death during the Philippine
proclamation of independence in 1898. The said occasion marked the first time when Filipinos expressed their desire to
have a symbol of national unity. This dream was realized under the auspices of the American regime. This is why most
skeptics regard Rizal as an American-made hero.
The selection of Rizal as national hero was indeed an accomplishment of the Second Philippine Commission.
Among other equally qualified candidates, Rizal was chosen based on the strict criteria followed by the American and
Filipino members of the selection committee.

The Selection Committee

The Second Philippine Commission was formed in the United States by the President William McKinley on
march 16, 1900 following the recommendations of the First Philippine Commission. The Second Philippine Commission
was headed by General William Howard Taft. He became Civil Governor of the Philippines when the commission was
made official. The commission was also known as the Taft Commission. One of the great accomplishment of the
Second Philippine Commission was the forming of the committee that would facilitate the selection of the national
hero. The committee was composed of well-known Americans and Filipinos. The American committee members
included William Howard Taft, who acted as chairman, Dean Conant Worcester, Luke E. Wright, Henry Clay Ide, and
Bernard Moses. Most of the American members of the selection committee were academicians and statesmen. The
Filipino committee members were Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, a writer and politician; Benito Legarda, a lawyer; and Jose
Luzuriaga, also a lawyer.

Candidates for the National Hero

Up to this day, as in the past, the Philippines continues to produce heroes and heroines. During the colonial
period, heroes can be classified into three groups: the native, the plebian, and the ilustrado. These groups of Filipino
heroes made remarkable contributions in the struggle against Spain, albeit their impact was not equally the same. The
native heroes led the earliest revolts against Spanish colonial rule. One of the most popular Philippine native heroes is
Lapu-Lapu. He was famous for defeating Magellan and his troops, successfully fending off Spain’s first attempts to
colonize the country.
Unfortunately, no one from the native group was considered by the committee for the title. The members
explained that the revolts of the native heroes were staged to protect the barangay’s political interest. The next group
up for consideration was the plebeians or the lower class. Bonifacio, the most popular representative of the group, was
known as the great plebeian for he was supported by the majority of the clase pobre. The ilustrados were the last
group to be considered by the committee. The group consisted of educated Filipinos and advocates of peaceful reform.
The selection committee chose the final candidates from the ilustrado and the plebian groups. These heroes showed
great national concern and courage during the Philippine Revolution. The final candidates for the title were Marcelo H.
del Pilar, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Antonio Luna, and Jose Rizal (Philippine Free Press,
1946).

The Criteria Used

Only six candidates were deemed qualified by the Second Philippine Commission. William Howard Taft, who
headed the committee, formulated a criterion that best fit the Filipino traits and sentiments. Dr. H. Otley Beyer, an
American anthropologist, provided technical support to the committee. The members of the committee set the
following criteria for the selection process (1) a candidate must be a Filipino citizen; (2) a candidate must be dead at the
time of his/her selection; (3) a candidate must have shown exemplary dedication to the country; and 94) a candidate
must not be predisposed to indiscriminate violence.
In addition to these criteria, other points strongly considered by the selection committee to vote for Rizal was
his emotional impact on the majority of the Filipinos.

Proclamation of Rizal as a National Hero

Rizal was officially proclaimed by the Taft commission as national hero in 1901. It must be noted, though, that
the role of the Second Philippine Commission in the proclamation of Rizal as national hero was merely ceremonial.
Prior to the recognition, the day of Rizal’s death was already declared as a national holiday by Aguinaldo during the
celebration of the country’s independence As Gagelonia (1964) noted.
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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY
Victorino Salcedo Sara Campus, Brgy. Anoring, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No.

Rizal Chosen as National Hero

Events in the past can be used to support the argument that Rizal was chosen by Filipinos as national hero.
The outcome of the selection process created controversy among Filipinos. Undeniably, there was a difference of
opinions among the members of the commission. Some believed that the selection process would be fair if the
committee had only Filipino members. Some members, on the other hand, believed that Filipinos were not ready to
assume control over the country’s political affairs. For scholars, however, the word chosen is much more appropriate
than made, mainly because Rizal was elected by a committee with qualified members.

Americans and Filipinos Behind Rizal

As mentioned previously, the Filipinos were divided on Rizal’s status as a national hero (De Ocampo, 1961).
Some Filipinos viewed the selection process as biased. Subsequently, this question was asked: Was Rizal an American-
made hero? The answer, of course, is an outright “no”. We have to remember that the Americans cannot choose a
hero for the Filipinos; they can only initiate its selection. A hero is not made, he is born. One question remains, though:
Was Rizal an American-sponsored hero? Yes, because the selection of Rizal was done during American period.
However, it must be noted that the Americans only sponsored the selection process. They only facilitated the selection,
but they did not influence it. In fact, some instances would prove that the selection of Rizal as a Filipino national hero
was not an American initiative. Prior to the arrival of the Americans in the country and the establishment of the Second
Philippine Commission, there were already occasions in which Rizal was recognized for his martyrdom and heroism.
The Filipinos were only giving due recognition to an individual who did right by his country and countrymen.

Rizal Bayani of the Katipunan

The Katipunan was a revolutionary organization established during the last decade of the Spanish rule.
Bonifacio, the movement’s leader, reportedly asked for Rizal’s advice on pressing national issues. As known by many,
Bonifacio sent an emissary in Dapitan, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, to inform Rizal about the Katipunan’s plans to start a
revolution against Spain. This gesture was the first recognition of Rizal’s leadership. Rizal did not agree with the plans
of the katipunan. He instead advised them to turn to practical solutions. Despite Rizal’s misgivings, Bonifacio and his
men continued their revolution against Spain. During the revolution, Rizal’s name was a magic word. During that time,
the katipuneros had three ranks with corresponding passwords. Members assigned to the first rank, katipon, used the
password “Anak ng Bayan.” The second rank, kawal, used “Gomburza” as their password. Members of the third and
highest rank, Bayani used “Rizal” as their password. Using Rizal’s name as the code of the highest-ranking members of
Katipunan was a recognition of his impact on the organization (Agoncillo, 2007). At that time, most members of the
Katipunan saw Rizal as an inspiration and a guiding force of the Philippine Revolution. Again, this is a solid proof that
Rizal was a Filipino-endorsed hero, and that the Americans only acted on what the Filipinos have mandated by naming
him national hero.

National Heroes Day: Proclaimed by Aguinaldo

As de facto president of the revolutionary government, General Emilio Aguinaldo spearheaded the national
recognition of Rizal’s death. The revolutionary government of General Aguinaldo was exiled in Hong Kong after he led
the commemoration of Rizal’s martyrdom.
On December 20, 1898 in Malolos, then the revolutionary capital of the Philippines, President Aguinaldo
proclaimed December 30, 1898 as “National Heroes Day.” Afterwards, December 30 became the day to commemorate
of Rizal’s death. The “National Hero’s Day” was moved to the last Sunday of August. Through Aguinaldo’s initiative, the
committee was influenced to choose Rizal as national hero.

Renaming of Morong
The renaming of the politico-military district of Morong to “Rizal” was initiated by Pardo de Tavera. For Pardo
de Tavera, remembering and honoring Rizal were something that Filipinos must take to heart. Moreover, naming a
place after Rizal was a gesture that bestowed honor to our national hero.
The renaming of the Morong distinct was made official by the Second Philippine Commission on June 11, 1901
under the Approval Act No. 137.

Rizal Day Celebrations

There are two significant dates in the life of our national hero: the date of his birth and the date of his death.
In Rizal’s case, his date of birth and death are now the two most important national holidays in the country. Formerly
designated “National Heroes Day,” December 30 was eventually proclaimed as “Rizal Day” to commemorate Rizal’s
heroism for the country. Like those of the national heroes of other countries, Rizal’s birth and death are occasions of
equal importance. These events in Rizal’s life remind us of two things: his birth gave us hope while his death left us a
mission – to continue the fight for liberty and progress even in an era of freedom and democracy.

Rizal’s Nativity

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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY
Victorino Salcedo Sara Campus, Brgy. Anoring, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No.

The first historic celebration of Rizal’s birth was held in Quiapo Church on June 19, 1900. A mass was
celebrated in his memory during that day. The mass was attended by members in his memory during that day. The
mass was attended by members of the Orquesta Rizal and ladies in manila (Serrano, 1961). Outside the church, a
banner with Rizal’s full baptismal name was displayed. It was the first occasion where the baptismal name of Rizal was
revealed to the public. An article published by El Renacimiento describe the glamor of the celebration, to with (Serrano,
1961):
The church was elegantly decorated an in its transept there was a pyramid made by Mr. Miguel
Zaragoza and having many wreaths. On the upper part of the pyramid was the following inscription:
Jose Protacio Rizal – 19 de Junio 1861 and on the lower part of these was a wreath with a pink silk ribbon
which bore the following inscription: La Orquesta Rizal. This was the first time that the baptismal name
of Dr. Rizal was known. The organizer of this birthday fiesta was mr. Martin Ocampo, manager of the
Sociedad Orquesta Rizal. The Governador Militar de la Plaza sent a picket of volunteers to attend the
celebration, placing two guards of honor at each (door) of the church.

Rizal’s Martyrdom
Rizal’s death is no longer a day of mourning but a celebration of the Filipinos’ liberation from Spanish tyranny.
Moreover, it is also an occasion to relive Rizal’s martyrdom and reaffirm the ideals he bequeathed to Filipinos as his
living legacy. Indeed, Rizal continues to be a source of inspiration for Filipinos who aspire for progress and reform in the
country. Not surprisingly, Rizal’s death did not fossilize the seeds of his ideas and advocacies. In fact, those seeds have
grown and blossomed in the heart, soul, and deeds of Filipinos. To this effect, Gagelonia (1967) notes: A man may die
but his ideas and thoughts will forever live and remain indelible in the imprints of time.
At present, “Rizal Day” is celebrated through cultural shows organized by various organizations, institutions,
and artists. Although December is “a vacation season,” numerous schools participate in parades and perform special
production numbers in Rizal’s honor. Different civic organizations and government institutions prepare programs to pay
tribute to Rizal’s heroism. Every year, there is a commemorative wreath-laying ceremony in the Rizal Monument,
followed by a short ceremony which relives his undying legacy.

IV. Learning Assessment

Answer the following exercises:
1. Explain how and who chooses Rizal as a national hero.
2. What are the contributions of the following heroes during the establishment of revolutionary organization:
a. Graciano Lopez-Jaena
b. Antonio Luna
c. Jose P. Rizal
d. Andres Bonifacio
e. Emilio Jacinto
3. Do you think Rizal was fated to be the Philippines’ national hero?

Scoring Guide:
Each answer shall be evaluated using these criteria:
Content 5 pts.
Organization 3 pts.
Subject Knowledge 5pts.
Originality/Effort 2 pts.
Total score: 15pts

V. Enrichment Activities/Outputs

References
Maranan, R. (2015). Jose Rizal First Global Filipino Hero. Quezon City. C & E Publishing, Inc.

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