JOSE RIZAL: A TRAITOR OR A MARTYR?

Each nation has its own self-styled “National Hero.” Here in the Philippines, we have our very own Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Alonzo Realonda, and according to the history he sacrifices his own life for our own freedom. Based on Philippine Commission, there are three requirements that Rizal go beyond to seize the title. The first was “A prominent or central personage taking an admirable part in any remarkable action or event.” Secondly “The person distinguished valor and enterprise in danger, or fortitude on suffering.” And finally, ‘A man honored after death by public worship, because of exceptional service to mankind.”

Several eminent people were nominated to be the National Hero – Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Jose Rizal, General Antonio Luna, Emilio Jacinto and Andres Bonifacio. Of all thses contenders, why Jose Rizal? Behind this was the interventionist William Howard Taft, President of Philippine Commission. He intervenes in a cause. He did choose Rizal because in the first place, Rizal was dead at that very moment. And Taft knew that Rizal won’t run against the grain of American Colonial Policy.

Now the question is, is Rizal a Traitor or a Martyr? What do you think? Majority of the people would probably say “He is a hero blah blah blah…” They were saying that Rizal is a hero because they were told by their ancestors, they were told by their parents? But how sure they are? Reading through the Constantino’s “Veneration without Understanding” really change my discernment about Jose Rizal. But when I was in my lower years and haven’t read that thesis, I give the impression of being “a strong man that has a strong fighting spirit for his own motherland.” My beliefs were unexpectedly changed. My psyche about Rizal suddenly changed after reading that thesis because I knew that Rizal fight for “Liberty” only, not the “Freedom” that inhabitant sought for.

Rizal is “WEAK,” to the point that he didn’t join the Revolution. Yes I know that because of his novels, El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere, the minds of people were set off. But I think Rizal’s idea is more of dream, a dream without an action is useless. Rizal’s two novels, in reality, arouse the Revolution and peoples mind. But how come Rizal didn’t join? How weak? How come? Absolutely a traitor!

And as far as I learned from the thesis of Constantino was, “He also wanted us to understood Rizal as a person not as God.”

I read a book (about Rizal, I forgot the title) and this line catches my concentration: “No other Filipino hero can surpass Rizal in the number of monuments erected in his honor; in the number of towns, barrios, and streets named after him; in the number of educational institutions, societies, and trade names that bear his name; in the number of persons, both Filipino and foreigners, who were named “Rizal” or “Rizalina” because of their parents admiration for the Great Malayan; and in the number of laws, Executive orders and Proclamations of the Chief Executive and bulletin memoranda, and circulars of both the bureaus of public and private schools. Who is the Filipino writer and thinker whose teachings and noble thoughts have been frequently invoked and quoted by authors and public-speakers? None, but Rizal.” There are lots of affirmations about Rizal. But in the “Veneration without Understanding,” Rizal really dressed off by the author. If all people had a chance to read that thesis I am pretty sure that they will change their thoughts and preference too.

I think without Spanish Colonization, there is no “Jose Rizal.” Rizal must thank to the Spaniards because without them, Rizal won’t be created and existed in the history. Without Spaniards there is no “National Hero.” And without the cruelty of Spaniards, there is no Movement. I also thought that if Rizal wasn’t existed in that era, I knew that another name will be made; another man will be prominent instead of Rizal

If Marcelo H. Del Pilar doesn’t exist in his epoch, another name and another man will lead the propaganda. And Constantino all wanted to say that this was “all coincidence and accidentally.”

And another reason was, Rizal has the quality to fight for liberty, and so he is educated. He has the aptitude and mind. And after he was executed in Bagumbayan, Rizal got the limelight that added to his martyrdom to our country. But this doesn’t make sense because I am pretty sure that the remaining heroes can seize our “Freedom” not his “Liberty.”

What Constantino is trying to say is, Rizal is not a brave hero, and he is just a writer and not a really a great person despite of his achievements. And the reason of Rizal why he didn’t join the National Revolution is “the natives were not yet ready for the revolution.” Then if you don’t mind Jose Rizal, may I ask if “When?!” People were ready at that time because they were in excess of cruelty.

To sum it up, Rizal only wanted the Philippines to become a “state” or part of the Spain, a free Philippines. This is the contemplation I wanted to show to my fellow Filipino who was worshipping Rizal as a God.

To end this reaction paper, I realized that every hero has a dark side too. I would like to acknowledge the author to let me envisage the real thing behind Jose Rizal. And if someone dare to ask me “Why did Jose Rizal our National Hero?” I will desperately response “Blame it to the USA!!!” Because in the first place, they are the one who made this disarray. It is just so happen that Rizal made a “remarkable” way of fighting, in a very ilustrado way.

The attention of the people was focused on Rizal’s awarding to the point that the native almost forgot about the next invaders, Americans.

Let’s say that Rizal is a hero, in terms that he presages the predicament of the Filipinos made by the brutality of Spaniards and identify the needs of the people. And he is a hero because he stimulates the national consciousness and this kind of contribution of him is more on a “debt of gratitude” or “utang na loob” to our foremost national hero.

But he is not a hero on another side because he refused to join and lead the National Revolution and instead of joining, he used his medical ability in Spain the moment Bonifacio told the plans.

“Rizal is the driver, Bonifacio is the engine. Take away the driver, the car won’t move. Take away the engine, the car can still move by being pulled by the driver at the back.” – Anonymous blogger.