Rizal

Why is Dr. Jose Rizal Mercado y Alonzo or simply Jose Rizal acknowledged to be our national hero? Some say that he is an American-sponsored hero; that Rizal symbolized non-violence and peaceful advancement of reforms, traits that the American occupiers wanted for Filipinos to adopt. Rizal became a hero bacause he fought for freedom in a silent but powerful way. He expressed his love for the Philippines through his novels, essays, articles and poems rather than through force of aggression. He was a very amazing person at his time. He was humble, fighting for reforms through his writings instead of through a revolution. He used his intelligence, talents and skills in a far more peaceful way. In my opinion, for one to be a hero, one must sacrifice him/herself for the liberation its people. Just like what Jose Rizal did. However, there are still some Filipinos who entertain the belief that Rizal is a “made-to-order” hero, and that the maker or the one’s responsible in this case were the Americans. But who made Rizal the foremost hero of the Philippines? Experts, ordinary people, and especially for me, no single person or organization can be held responsible for making Rizal our country’s hero. Rizal is perhaps the epitome of such self-sacrifice though. He sacrifices his love life and a quiet life to gather knowledge around the world that would be helpful in the struggle for reforms in the country. He translates famous literary works into Filipino for his countrymen to see and labors to ensure a fair perspective about his country abroad. He uses his own fortune, time and effort to care for his countrymen, as he did when he opened his clinic in Hong Kong or in Dapitan. He enlightens his people about their status in society by writing the Noli and the Fili. His ultimate sacrifice perhaps is when he refuses to be saved by Bonifacio’s revolution and instead gives his own life at execution so that the revolution can have the ultimate inspiration. Both Bonifacio and Aguinaldo...