This was my thought on the occasion of 150th Birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal. Quite inappropriate timing, but, I thought it was also a good opportunity to talk about some truths about the man we call "National Hero."
I would like to be clear at the outset that if there is anyone in Philippine History who, in my opinion, deserves the title “National Hero,” it is Andres Bonifacio and NOT Dr. Jose Rizal.
Why Bonifacio? Simple. He was ACTUALLY the one who REALLY fought for our freedom, which he ultimately shed with his own blood.
A hero is a person "of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hero). The Wikipedia, which does not enjoy my 100% confidence in terms of its credibility, nicely puts it this way: “hero (male) and heroine (female) came to refer to characters who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self sacrifice—that is, heroism—for some greater good of all humanity” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero).
Perhaps, there is truth to the claim that Rizal actually did some heroic acts. But, it should be noted that EVERYONE actually does some heroic acts in his/her lifetime. If simply doing “some heroic acts” would be the qualification to become “National Hero,” then everybody is a “National Hero.” However, we know for a fact that the term “National Hero” does not refer to a person who just did “some heroic acts.” A National Hero is somebody who did a GREAT heroic act.
Certainly, between Bonifacio and Rizal, the former did a greater heroic act than the latter. To the end, Bonifacio fought for our freedom. His poverty did not prevent him from studying, from learning; finding no one to teach him, he taught himself. He was an “unknown Filipino” but he rose as the leader of the revolution which inspired many Filipinos, both rich and poor. He was a man of “noble qualities,” a man with “courage and [the] will for self sacrifice” for the Filipino. He was not just a hero, Bonifacio was in fact THE National Hero.
What do we know about Rizal? Undeniably, Rizal belonged to a de buena familia. This explains why he was able study in a premier educational institution and was able to go to Europe to take up Medicine. He was known to be brilliant; Zaide fashions him almost like a demi-god. It was said that he was good looking and was involved with a number of women (Note: I am not in the position to make a moral assessment of his private life). He was a reformist and not a revolutionary. He wrote at least two (2) books – the Noli me Tangere and the El Filibusterismo, which inspired the Katipuneros and these books are at present being studied in college, others in high school. He was imprisoned at Fort Santiago and executed in Luneta.
In broad strokes, we have just painted Dr. Jose Rizal. Now, let us consider the details.
Rizal, the Reformer. History books can attest that Rizal was never a Revolutionary. In fact, he did not support and resisted any association with the KKK which was organized by Bonifacio. He was a reformer – he advocated for reform in the government only, not a revolution of the Filipino People. He was not enthusiastic with the idea of a Philippine Government run by Filipinos; he was fine with Spanish run Philippine Government which does not maltreat Filipinos and views the latter as equals to the Spaniards.
At one point, Bonifacio approached Rizal and asked him to join the KKK. Bonifacio told him that the Katipuneros were inspired by his writings, especially the Noli me Tangere, and they would be glad to see him in their revolutionary work. Expectedly, Rizal, the reformer, declined the invitation. He was for reform and not for revolution. Rizal and Bonifacio parted ways with the former continuing with writing while the latter carrying on fighting.
Rizal, the Inconsistent. Later, Rizal wrote the El Filibusterismo or simply, the Fili, which told of a story of bombing a gathering of high ranking government officials and other members of the alta sociedad. This story in the Fili made Bonifacio and the rest of the Katipuneros think that Rizal has already “changed his mind;” that he was already for the revolution, that he may have already abandoned his reformist position. Hence, Bonifacio went to meet Rizal and expressed his and his fellow Katipunero’s gladness that he finally “changed his mind;” that he was now for the revolution. Bonifacio once again, but now with a certain degree of assured hope that he will get an affirmative response, extended the invitation to Rizal for him to join the Katipunan. To his dismay, Bonifacio left with his reject invitation. Rizal remained a reformist. Rizal was not going to “walk” his “talk” in the El Filibusterismo.
Rizal, the Traitor. To add insult to injury, in 1896, in his attempt to dissociate himself with the Katipunan and to show his reformist conviction, Rizal joined the Spanish fleet to Cuba to serve there as a VOLUNTEER DOCTOR to the Spaniards who were at war with the Americans. He abandoned his fellow Filipinos, who badly needed his help, to support the Spaniards in Cuba who were obviously fighting not for the Filipino. Clearly, without any argument, this was an Act of Treason – Rizal was a Traitor.
Rizal was already aboard a Spanish ship sailing for Cuba when he was fetched to be returned to Manila; thanks to the Archbishop of Manila who caused his unnecessary repatriation. The good Archbishop was late to receive a copy of the Fili and he also thought, after reading it, that Rizal has already abandoned his reformist stance and was now a revolutionary; therefore, a dangerous man – an enemy of the State. If the good Archbishop were only aware of his “real” position on the issue, Rizal could not have been repatriated, imprisoned, executed and ultimately declared a “National Hero.”
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