National Hero

Rosemarie U. Samson July 1, 2010

RC-2H5

A hero may be easy to spell but it is never easy to become. Heroes are people who have gained enormous identity among others. They are role models, well-respected, nationalistic and have contributed to society causing national unity resulting to something really big like freedom. Between the different faces of heroes we know who stands out among the rest? Is it Rizal or is Bonifacio of better identity?Would it be Aguinaldo or Mabini? If there is a need to place someone as national hero then who should we pick between those huge names?

If I were to answer the question, if I am to choose between those great men I might choose the ever famous Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Why would I choose him? I would choose him because he best fits the title, national hero. Rizal, compared to the other heroes, has done great acts of nationalism through a peaceful line of attack. He has awakened the minds of the Filipinos through his writings. And through these literary pieces Filipinos were inspired to gain freedom. As learned through history, Andres Bonifacio was one of those inspired men. His perception of Rizal’s writings was that what Rizal wants was to start a revolt against the Spanish government, thus, giving birth to Katipunan. Indeed, Rizal has shown how powerful one can be through writing. He may have been affiliated with many women of her time that doesn’t show that he doesn’t deserve the title. Nobody is perfect. He may be a hero but he is not exempted from having human flaws. He was a man too. His passion for writing, his wisdom and love for his country gave us Filipinos what we deserve for, nothing less but freedom in our own land.

Rizal was executed but because of this, Filipinos of that time felt a stronger urge to fight for their rights. Rizal’s death may have been one reason for revolution but that is not a bad thing. It was just the other option. Awakening the minds of Filipinos is for me the greatest thing a...