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José Rizal

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  • Who was José Rizal and why is he considered a national hero?
  • What were the responses of other Filipino nationalists to José Rizal’s execution?
  • How did José Rizal’s execution affect the Philippine Revolution?

José Rizal (born June 19, 1861, Calamba, Philippines—died December 30, 1896, Manila) was a patriot, physician, and man of letters who was an inspiration to the Philippine nationalist movement.

The son of a prosperous landowner, Rizal was educated in Manila and at the University of Madrid . A brilliant medical student, he soon committed himself to the reform of Spanish rule in his home country , though he never advocated Philippine independence. Most of his writing was done in Europe, where he resided between 1882 and 1892.

In 1887 Rizal published his first novel , Noli me tangere ( The Social Cancer ), a passionate exposure of the evils of Spanish rule in the Philippines . A sequel, El filibusterismo (1891; The Reign of Greed ), established his reputation as the leading spokesman of the Philippine reform movement. He published an annotated edition (1890; reprinted 1958) of Antonio Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, hoping to show that the native people of the Philippines had a long history before the coming of the Spaniards. He became the leader of the Propaganda Movement , contributing numerous articles to its newspaper, La Solidaridad , published in Barcelona . Rizal’s political program included integration of the Philippines as a province of Spain, representation in the Cortes (the Spanish parliament), the replacement of Spanish friars by Filipino priests, freedom of assembly and expression, and equality of Filipinos and Spaniards before the law.

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Rizal returned to the Philippines in 1892. He founded a nonviolent-reform society, the Liga Filipina , in Manila, and was deported to Dapitan in northwest Mindanao . He remained in exile for the next four years. In 1896 the Katipunan , a Filipino nationalist secret society , revolted against Spain. Although he had no connections with that organization and he had had no part in the insurrection, Rizal was arrested and tried for sedition by the military. Found guilty, he was publicly executed by a firing squad in Manila. His martyrdom convinced Filipinos that there was no alternative to independence from Spain. On the eve of his execution, while confined in Fort Santiago, Rizal wrote “ Último adiós” (“Last Farewell”), a masterpiece of 19th-century Spanish verse.

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  • Philippines
  • The Life And Legacy Of...

The Life and Legacy of José Rizal: National Hero of the Philippines

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Dr. José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, is not only admired for possessing intellectual brilliance but also for taking a stand and resisting the Spanish colonial government. While his death sparked a revolution to overthrow the tyranny, Rizal will always be remembered for his compassion towards the Filipino people and the country.

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Humble beginnings

José Protasio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 to Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo in the town of Calamba in the province of Laguna. He had nine sisters and one brother. At the early age of three, the future political leader had already learned the English alphabet. And, by the age of five, José could already read and write.

Upon enrolling at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila (now referred to as Ateneo De Manila University ), he dropped the last three names in his full name, after his brother’s advice – hence, being known as José Protasio Rizal. His performance in school was outstanding – winning various poetry contests, impressing his professors with his familiarity of Castilian and other foreign languages, and crafting literary essays that were critical of the Spanish historical accounts of pre-colonial Philippine societies.

A man with multiple professions

While he originally obtained a land surveyor and assessor’s degree in Ateneo, Rizal also took up a preparatory course on law at the University of Santo Tomas (UST). But when he learned that his mother was going blind, he decided to switch to medicine school in UST and later on specialized in ophthalmology. In May 1882, he decided to travel to Madrid in Spain , and earned his Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid.

Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines

Apart from being known as an expert in the field of medicine, a poet, and an essayist, Rizal exhibited other amazing talents. He knew how to paint, sketch, and make sculptures. Because he lived in Europe for about 10 years, he also became a polyglot – conversant in 22 languages. Aside from poetry and creative writing, Rizal had varying degrees of expertise in architecture, sociology, anthropology, fencing, martial arts, and economics to name a few.

His novels awakened Philippine nationalism

Rizal had been very vocal against the Spanish government, but in a peaceful and progressive manner. For him, “the pen was mightier than the sword.” And through his writings, he exposed the corruption and wrongdoings of government officials as well as the Spanish friars.

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While in Barcelona, Rizal contributed essays, poems, allegories, and editorials to the Spanish newspaper, La Solidaridad. Most of his writings, both in his essays and editorials, centered on individual rights and freedom, specifically for the Filipino people . As part of his reforms, he even called for the inclusion of the Philippines to become a province of Spain.

But, among his best works , two novels stood out from the rest – Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo ( The Reign of the Greed).

In both novels, Rizal harshly criticized the Spanish colonial rule in the country and exposed the ills of Philippine society at the time. And because he wrote about the injustices and brutalities of the Spaniards in the country, the authorities banned Filipinos from reading the controversial books. Yet they were not able to ban it completely. As more Filipinos read the books, their eyes opened to the truth that they were suffering unspeakable abuses at the hands of the friars. These two novels by Rizal, now considered his literary masterpieces, are said to have indirectly sparked the Philippine Revolution.

Rizal’s unfateful days

Upon his return to the Philippines, Rizal formed a progressive organization called the La Liga Filipina. This civic movement advocated social reforms through legal means. Now Rizal was considered even more of a threat by the Spanish authorities (alongside his novels and essays), which ultimately led to his exile in Dapitan in northern Mindanao .

This however did not stop him from continuing his plans for reform. While in Dapitan, Rizal built a school, hospital, and water system. He also taught farming and worked on agricultural projects such as using abaca to make ropes.

In 1896, Rizal was granted leave by then Governor-General Blanco, after volunteering to travel to Cuba to serve as doctor to yellow fever victims. But at that time, the Katipunan had a full-blown revolution and Rizal was accused of being associated with the secret militant society. On his way to Cuba, he was arrested in Barcelona and sent back to Manila to stand for trial before the court martial. Rizal was charged with sedition, conspiracy, and rebellion – and therefore, sentenced to death by firing squad.

Days before his execution, Rizal bid farewell to his motherland and countrymen through one of his final letters, entitled Mi último adiós or My Last Farewell. Dr. José Rizal was executed on the morning of December 30, 1896, in what was then called Bagumbayan (now referred to as Luneta). Upon hearing the command to shoot him, he faced the squad and uttered in his final breath: “ Consummatum est” (It is finished). According to historical accounts , only one bullet ended the life of the Filipino martyr and hero.

His legacy lives on

After his death, the Philippine Revolution continued until 1898. And with the assistance of the United States , the Philippines declared its independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. This was the time that the Philippine flag was waved at General Emilio Aguinaldo’s residence in Kawit, Cavite.

Monument in memory of Jose Rizal at Rizal Park

Today, Dr. Rizal’s brilliance, compassion, courage, and patriotism are greatly remembered and recognized by the Filipino people. His two novels are continuously being analyzed by students and professionals.

Colleges and universities in the Philippines even require their students to take a subject which centers around the life and works of Rizal. Every year, the Filipinos celebrate Rizal Day – December 30 each year – to commemorate his life and works. Filipinos look back at how his founding of La Liga Filipina and his two novels had an effect on the early beginnings of the Philippine Revolution. The people also recognize his advocacy to achieve liberty through peaceful means rather than violent revolution.

In honor of Rizal, memorials and statues of the national hero can be found not only within the Philippines, but in selected cities around the world. A road in the Chanakyapuri area of New Delhi (India) and in Medan, Indonesia is named after him. The José Rizal Bridge and Rizal Park in the city of Seattle are also dedicated to the late hero.

Within the Philippines, there are streets, towns/cities, a university (Rizal University), and a province named after him. Three species have also been named after Rizal – the Draco rizali (a small lizard, known as a flying dragon), Apogania rizali (a very rare kind of beetle with five horns) and the Rhacophorus rizali (a peculiar frog species).

To commemorate what he did for the country, the Philippines built a memorial park for him – now referred to as Rizal Park, found in Manila . There lies a monument which contains a standing bronze sculpture of Rizal, an obelisk, and a stone base said to contain his remains. The monument stands near the place where he fell during his execution in Luneta.

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Biography of José Rizal, National Hero of the Philippines

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Life in Europe

Novels and other writing, program of reforms, exile and courtship, trial and execution.

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José Rizal (June 19, 1861–December 30, 1896) was a man of intellectual power and artistic talent whom Filipinos honor as their national hero. He excelled at anything that he put his mind to: medicine, poetry, sketching, architecture, sociology, and more. Despite little evidence, he was martyred by Spanish colonial authorities on charges of conspiracy, sedition, and rebellion when he was only 35.

Fast Facts: José Rizal

  • Known For : National hero of the Philippines for his key role inspiring the Philippine Revolution against colonial Spain
  • Also Known As: José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
  • Born : June 19, 1861, at Calamba, Laguna
  • Parents : Francisco Rizal Mercado and Teodora Alonzo y Quintos
  • Died : December 30, 1896, in Manila, the Philippines
  • Education : Ateneo Municipal de Manila; studied medicine at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila; medicine and philosophy at the Universidad Central de Madrid; ophthalmology at the University of Paris and the University of Heidelberg
  • Published Works : Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo
  • Spouse : Josephine Bracken (married two hours before his death)
  • Notable Quote: "On this battlefield man has no better weapon than his intelligence, no other force but his heart."

José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861, at Calamba, Laguna, the seventh child of Francisco Rizal Mercado and Teodora Alonzo y Quintos. The family were wealthy farmers who rented land from the Dominican religious order. Descendants of a Chinese immigrant named Domingo Lam-co, they changed their name to Mercado ("market") under the pressure of anti-Chinese feeling among the Spanish colonizers.

From an early age, Rizal showed a precocious intellect. He learned the alphabet from his mother at the age of 3 and could read and write at age 5.

Rizal attended the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, graduating at age 16 with the highest honors. He took a post-graduate course there in land surveying.

Rizal completed his surveyor's training in 1877 and passed the licensing exam in May 1878, but he could not receive a license to practice because he was only 17. He was granted a license in 1881 when he reached the age of majority.

In 1878, the young man enrolled in the University of Santo Tomas as a medical student. He later quit the school, alleging discrimination against Filipino students by the Dominican professors.

In May 1882, Rizal got on a ship to Spain without informing his parents. He enrolled at the Universidad Central de Madrid after arriving. In June 1884, he received his medical degree at the age of 23; the following year, he graduated from the Philosophy and Letters department.

Inspired by his mother's advancing blindness, Rizal next went to the University of Paris and then to the University of Heidelberg for further study in ophthalmology. At Heidelberg, he studied under the famed professor Otto Becker (1828–1890). Rizal finished his second doctorate at Heidelberg in 1887.

Rizal lived in Europe for 10 years and picked up a number of languages. He could converse in more than 10 different tongues. While in Europe, the young Filipino impressed everyone he met with his charm, intelligence, and mastery of a range of different fields of study. Rizal excelled at martial arts, fencing, sculpture, painting, teaching, anthropology , and journalism, among other areas.

During his European sojourn, he also began to write novels. Rizal finished his first book, " Noli Me Tangere " (Latin for "Touch Me Not"), while living in Wilhelmsfeld, Germany, with the Rev. Karl Ullmer.

Rizal wrote "Noli Me Tangere" in Spanish; it was published in 1887 in Berlin, Germany. The novel is a scathing indictment of the Catholic Church and Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines, and its publication cemented Rizal's position on the Spanish colonial government's list of troublemakers. When Rizal returned home for a visit, he received a summons from the governor-general and had to defend himself against charges of disseminating subversive ideas.

Although the Spanish governor accepted Rizal's explanations, the Catholic Church was less willing to forgive. In 1891, Rizal published a sequel, titled " El Filibusterismo ." When published in English, it was titled "The Reign of Greed."

In his novels and newspaper editorials, Rizal called for a number of reforms of the Spanish colonial system in the Philippines. He advocated freedom of speech and assembly, equal rights before the law for Filipinos, and Filipino priests in place of the often-corrupt Spanish churchmen. In addition, Rizal called for the Philippines to become a province of Spain, with representation in the Spanish legislature, the Cortes Generales .

Rizal never called for independence for the Philippines. Nonetheless, the colonial government considered him a dangerous radical and declared him an enemy of the state.

In 1892, Rizal returned to the Philippines. He was almost immediately accused of being involved in the brewing rebellion and was exiled to Dapitan City, on the island of Mindanao. Rizal would stay there for four years, teaching school and encouraging agricultural reforms.

During that period, the people of the Philippines grew more eager to revolt against the Spanish colonial presence. Inspired in part by Rizal's progressive organization La Liga , rebel leaders such as Andres Bonifacio (1863–1897) began to press for military action against the Spanish regime.

In Dapitan, Rizal met and fell in love with Josephine Bracken, who brought her stepfather to him for a cataract operation. The couple applied for a marriage license but were denied by the Church, which had excommunicated Rizal.

The Philippine Revolution broke out in 1896. Rizal denounced the violence and received permission to travel to Cuba to tend to victims of yellow fever in exchange for his freedom. Bonifacio and two associates sneaked aboard the ship to Cuba before it left the Philippines and tried to convince Rizal to escape with them, but Rizal refused.

He was arrested by the Spanish on the way, taken to Barcelona, and then extradited to Manila for trial. Rizal was tried by court-martial and charged with conspiracy, sedition, and rebellion. Despite a lack of evidence of his complicity in the Revolution, Rizal was convicted on all counts and given a death sentence.

He was allowed to marry Bracken two hours before his execution by firing squad in Manila on December 30, 1896. Rizal was just 35 years old.

José Rizal is remembered today throughout the Philippines for his brilliance, courage, peaceful resistance to tyranny, and compassion. Filipino schoolchildren study his final literary work, a poem called " Mi Ultimo Adios " ("My Last Goodbye"), and his two famous novels.

Spurred by Rizal's martyrdom, the Philippine Revolution continued until 1898. With assistance from the United States, the Philippine archipelago defeated the Spanish army. The Philippines declared independence from Spain on June 12, 1898, becoming the first democratic republic in Asia.

  • de Ocampo, Estaban A. " Dr. Jose Rizal, Father of Filipino Nationalism ." Journal of Southeast Asian History .
  • Rizal, José. "One Hundred Letters of José Rizal." Philippine National Historical Society.
  • Valenzuela, Maria Theresa. " Constructing National Heroes: Postcolonial Philippine and Cuban Biographies of José Rizal and José Martí ." Biography .
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JoseRizal.com

How Rizal Became the National Hero of the Philippines

Find out why Jose Rizal (and not Andres Bonifacio) is the national hero of the Philippines.

jose-rizal-andres-bonifacio

It has always been a heated argument on who deserves to be called Philippine’s national hero — Jose Rizal or Andres Bonifacio.

Why is Jose Rizal the national hero of the Philippines? It is interesting to note that Jose Rizal’s heroism was recognized first by the colonizing Americans and later on by General Emilio Aguinaldo.

Recommended by US Governor Taft

The Americans (through the American Governor William Howard Taft) recommended to the Philippine Commission, which was sponsored by the US, to declare Jose Rizal as a national hero for the Filipinos. The Americans recommended Rizal because of the fact that he was executed by the Spaniards and of his peaceful way to achieve liberty. Unlike Andres Bonifacio whose desire to achieve independence for his native land required armed approach. The Americans deemed this approach to independence of Andres Bonifacio to be unacceptable and may inspire other Filipinos to rebel against American rule. This is why Jose Rizal was chosen over him as the national hero. Jose Rizal was declared as the greatest Filipino hero during the American colonization after the Aguinaldo led armed forces were subdued during the Philippine-American war.

December 30th as National Day of Mourning

General Emilio Aguinaldo was the first one to declare December 30th as a national day of mourning in honor of Rizal and others who have died fighting the Spanish tyranny.

The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword

The Philippine revolution led by Andres Bonifacio was fueled by the writings of Jose Rizal, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which made a more lasting impression. This is one of the best arguments of those who believe that Rizal is rightfully the national hero. Rizal was truly an inspiration to many Filipinos during the Spanish period. According to the historian Rafael Palma, Rizal was more deserving of the national hero title. Rizal was even thought to have suggested that Antonio Luna lead the revolutionary forces since Luna has studied military science which was a brilliant idea to lessen casualties against the powerhouse Spanish militia. Rizal believed that only an army that was well prepared and had enough arms would ensure victory .

Founder of La Liga Filipina

Jose Rizal founded the La Liga Filipina, a civic organization that led to the creation of the Katipunan headed by Andres Bonifacio. This fact may already substantiate that Rizal’s title was deserving since without the La Liga Filipina, Andres Bonifacio and his army would have been non-existent.

Everything started with Rizal. Philippine Revolution against Spain started what was known as the First Republic led by Emilio Aguinaldo.

For Rizal, violence or armed resistance only as a last resort and considered the restoration of the people’s dignity as a justification means of achieving national liberation and self-rule. On the other hand, Filipinos are also grateful to Andres Bonifacio’s legacy, his advocacy to an armed revolution. We credit both Rizal and Bonifacio for awakening the patriotic spirit of Filipinos.

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[OPINION] Reading, understanding, and appreciating Rizal

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[OPINION] Reading, understanding, and appreciating Rizal

The way José Rizal is celebrated in the Philippines as a national hero finds no match in the world. Shrines and monuments dedicated to his figure are abundant throughout the archipelago, and his name indicates often the most prominent street or plaza in town. Rizal is a subject in the university as it has become a symbol of Philippine patriotism. Some historians have gained fame and money becoming eminent “Rizalistas,” and I was not surprised at all when I got to know that there is even a small group of religious believers in Mount Banahaw called Rizalistas, who claim Rizal is the real messiah. Rizal is the favorite among the national heroes , and the best word I find to call the relation between Filipinos and Rizal is devotion.

Although Rizal was already esteemed as a top intellectual and writer both in the Philippines and Spain, the making of Rizal as a national hero was a legitimate and well-intentioned operation carried out a few decades after his cruel execution during the American period. And the problem with having him converted into a national hero is that it has resulted in some unexpected consequences: an exaggerated focus in his life: what I have called “chismography” about Rizal, the oblivion of other world-class Filipino intellectuals – Sanciangco, De Los Reyes, Kalaw – and a neglect of what it should be most valued: his writings. 

I remember a day in class when I asked my students what they could say about Rizal, and I was told he was a babaero (womanizer) and had many many girlfriends. “That’s why he is our role model!” one said cheerfully. I remember a student telling me she failed in class because she forgot the color of the shirt Rizal was wearing when he was shot. I can recall the faces of disappointment every time I bring my foreign friends to Rizal’s shrine, a reliquary-like place where you can find a long list of the professions Rizal supposedly practiced and the list of the 14 languages he was supposed to master, but nothing that could help to understand him.

The state of semi-divinity achieved by his figure carries other problems: “I will not achieve what he did in 35 years. He is a genius and he liked to work hard. I admire him, but I prefer a simple life,” another student told me. Rizal has been placed on such a high level that some young Filipinos do not think of him anymore as a human person whose achievements could inspire.

The lack of understanding of Rizal comes, in my modest opinion, because Rizal was a writer and suffers the irony of being a national hero in a country where most people do not like to read. Sadly, the proliferation of monuments, shrines, and homages have not been accompanied by a close scrutiny of his writings, which are most often read in a very shallow and purely nationalistic way. Apart from Noli and Fili , the rest of his abundant and rich written production is almost impossible to find in bookstores, and if not for the outstanding efforts of another patriot – Teodoro M. Kalaw – in collecting and editing most of his precious letters, those would not be easily available today.

The centennial of his birth moved the government in 1961 to publish most of his works in several volumes. However, the editorial criteria was far from the rigor demanded today in reliable editions and, most importantly, with the exception of Noli and Fili , and some other English translations, most of the works of Rizal are still only available in a language most Filipinos do not speak: Spanish. Even for his masterpiece, the only critically annotated bilingual edition was published by Vibal Fundation in 2011.

I perfectly understand that renaming a square or placing a statue in a square is way easier than publishing critical editions, but I truly believe, given the current circumstances, that the works of José Rizal truly deserve it. Establishing carefully the texts, annotating it in order to make more accessible to all kind of readers, and providing translations to the most important Filipino languages would be an undeniable exercise of patriotism that should not be longer delayed. No one can blame Filipinos for not reading Rizal when, in the first place, most of his works are not easily available.

It can happen that a Filipino reader does not have the patience to read his novels, but it could well happen that this same reader might enjoy reading his private letters or short articles. Although Filipinos cannot access the stylish beauty of his Spanish, they could get engaged with his rich arguments, with superb critical thinking skills, his uncommon intellectual brightness. Admiring Rizal without understanding him is a kind of empty nationalism and blind devotion. I do not find a better way to pay him a tribute than to read his work and getting to understand his formidable prose and his compelling ideas. Before being a hero, he was already a gifted writer, and Rizal, like another writer, wanted to be read. – Rappler.com

Jorge Mojarro has lived in the Philippines since 2009. He holds a PhD in Philippine colonial literature, teaches Spanish language and culture at the Instituto Cervantes de Manila, and conducts research for the University of Santo Tomas. He is a self-proclaimed lover of Philippine gastronomy.

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National Heroes Day

On Monday, 26 August, the nation commemorates National Heroes Day. It is a day for remembering the valor and gallantry of the fallen men and women whose martyrdom helped save us from foreign domination.

It is a regular holiday and national and local government units are bound by tradition to celebrate it with fanfare and ways befitting its importance. It is a time also for families to unite and renew their affection for one another.

It is most coincidental that the Islamic City of Marawi, which just celebrated its 84th Charter Day, which makes it among the oldest cities in the country, just engaged in an activity related to the holiday.

In tandem with the BARMM Commission on the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, the city unveiled four historical markers in predesignated locations, which were identified through research and testimonies attesting to the accuracy of the situs.

Prominent guests from Manila like Professor Regalado Trota Jose, chairperson of the National Historical Commission, and Dr. Salem Lingasa, chairperson of the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, and others were present to lend importance and significance to the ceremonies.

Concrete markers with inscriptions of brief historical accounts were unveiled.

One commemorates the First Marawi Battle between the Spanish conquistadores and the Maranaw freedom fighters on 21 August 1891 where the outnumbered and outgunned Maranaws defended the City which compelled the invaders to retreat to Iligan.

Another marker shows the second attack on Marawi where the Maranaw defenders were martyred, including their leader, Amaipakpak or Datu Akadir Akobar, and many others on 10 March 1895.

A marker was also unveiled near the City Hall complex where Kota (fort) Marawi was located, with observers seeing the irony because it is the same place where the present mayor, Sultan Majul Gandamra, led the last stand against the ISIS-inspired Maute-Abu Sayyaf rebels who sieged the city for about five months beginning 23 May 2017.

What was the significance of the memorial activity? It kicked off a project to elevate the heroism of Datu Akader, historically called Amaipakpak, to the status of a national hero. While his heroism and valor have been recorded in various narratives which qualify him to be declared a national hero, no attempt has ever been made to elevate him to the ranks of Rizal, Bonifacio et al. The breakthrough was a joint program of the City and the BARMM Commission.

We were informed that before the project was initiated, research and vetting were thoroughly conducted to document and validate the stories surrounding the heroism of Amaipakpak. And the process is continuing until a formal declaration is made by a national office which has the mandate to formally declare him a national hero.

The heroism of the Moro revolutionaries who fought against the foreign invaders contributed immensely to the war of independence fought by other Filipinos in other parts of the country, and later the Katipuneros.

The full force of the Spanish conquistadores was not employed against the Philippine independence fighters because of the distraction and resistance of the Moros.

The war by the latter divided and diffused the Spanish forces. Without the Moro resistance, the trajectory of the rebellion for independence of the Filipinos in Luzon and elsewhere would have been otherwise and, worse, might have favored the invaders.

This tale should be immortalized for the next generation to know that in the distant past, their forefathers fought to martyrdom and gave the invaders a hell of a fight despite being outnumbered and outgunned. They showed the foreigners that in this part of the world men know how to die for country and faith.

Finally, we learned from the Commission that the activity will likewise jumpstart the documentation and vetting of the heroism of Sultan Kudarat of Maguindanao and of other tribes for their eventual elevation and inclusion in the pantheon of national heroes.

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Essay on National Space Day - Short and Long Paragraph for Students

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India is all set to celebrate its first National Space Day on August 23, 2024. The day will be celebrated to commemorate the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. This groundbreaking achievement of ISRO will be celebrated across the country. The celebrations are also aimed to inspire a new generation of explorers and motivate them to pursue careers in space science and technology. Here are a few sample essays on the National Space Day.

100 Words Essay on National Space Day

200 words essay on national space day, 300 words essay on national space day.

Essay on National Space Day - Short and Long Paragraph for Students

India will celebrate its maiden National Space Day on August 23, 2024, to commemorate the successful landing of the Vikram Lander on the lunar surface. The Chandrayaan-3 mission was accomplished on August 23, 2023. With this remarkable feat, India became the fourth nation to land on the moon and the first to do so near its southern polar region. The first National Space Day is being celebrated nationwide with schools undertaking activities such as TLM development/quizzes and competitions, audio-video material creation, workshops and seminars, organised on a Space theme.

With the celebration of the 1st National Space Day, a myriad of events will unfold highlighting India’s remarkable achievements in space, profound benefits to society, and boundless opportunities for people from all walks of life to engage with the Indian space programme.

India is all set to celebrate its 1st National Space Day on August 23, 2024. With the successful landing of Vikram Lander and the subsequent deployment of the Pragyan Rover as part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission significant milestones were achieved by India a year ago.

Challenges of Chandrayaan-3 Mission

It was a great challenging task for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to design a lander which was capable of handling the rough terrain of the lunar south pole. ISRO also had to ensure that the rover could effectively carry out the necessary scientific experiments.

Landing on the moon’s south pole region was in itself the greatest challenge. The lunar south pole is a region of great interest to scientists because of its permanently shadowed craters, which are believed to contain water ice. The discovery and analysis of this water could have profound implications for future lunar exploration and potential human settlement. This complex space mission was accomplished by ISRO and to commemorate its success, India will be celebrating the National Space Day on August 23, 2024.

The National Space Day: Celebrating Achievements and Paving the Way Forward

August 23 has been proclaimed as the National Space Day to mark the importance of India’s achievement in space science and technology. This day will also serve as a celebration and recognition of the individuals whose efforts made these achievements possible, and an inspiration for the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers.

The educational institutions across the country are engaging in activities which will be aimed to spark interest in space science among students. With the growing interest in space science students are likely to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

India’s 1st National Space Day: A Vision for Expanding Horizons in Space

As India celebrates its first National Space Day on August 23, 2024, it is also looking forward to future space missions that will further solidify its position in the global space community. There are several ambitious projects under the pipeline including the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space, and future lunar and interplanetary missions.

India’s space missions are aimed at addressing practical challenges on Earth using space technology. The space missions are also focused on agricultural monitoring and resource management. The success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission has established India as a credible partner in global space exploration efforts. Through this mission and several others, India has contributed to international space research while also gaining access to new technologies and scientific expertise.

National Space Day 2024: India’s Global Impact of Space Achievements

The Chandrayaan-3 mission garnered international recognition for India. It opened up opportunities for collaboration with other countries and their space agencies. Gaining access to new technologies and scientific expertise is the potential that lies within the nation’s scientific community. As India celebrates its 1st National Space Day on August 23, it also looks forward to the future, with dreams of discoveries and the continued exploration of the space domain in collaboration with other countries as well. On its 1st National Space Day, India will celebrate the success of Chandrayaan-3 while also motivating future generations to reach for their aspirations and pursue their dreams in space exploration.

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Sanalila, Rochelle O. BSTRM 3-1N Does Rizal deserve to be our National Hero

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Related Papers

Does Rizal deserves to be our national hero

Maria Luisa Fiel

essay on the national hero

John Christen Alfajora

Michael Charleston B Chua

Lindsay Mae Daza

Francisco Rivera VI

Jessica Lorenzana

Looking into works of historians/scholars such as Ocampo, Constantino, and Joaquin, this series of essays aims to discuss the different perspectives towards Rizal in terms of his upbringing and heroism. Consequently, the frameworks that drive these historians/scholars' works are also brought to light in these papers.

Shane Venette B. Alcampado

Shane Venette Alcampado

On December 30, 1969, The Veneration Without Understanding was published by Prof. Renato Constantino.

Rizal's Regalia: The Arcane Dossier of the Vaguely Appointed National Hero

Maui Ann M . Tentoco

A reflection paper centered on the question of Rizal’s heroism and significance in Philippine history and nationalism. In partial fulfillment of the requirements of the course: Readings in Philippine History.

Noemi Mejia

Madelyne Gauna

This reflection paper was written in pursuit of recording the personal realizations, thoughts, opinions, and contemplations done by the writer upon reading an article written by Renato Constantino, Veneration Without Understanding. To sum it up, the writer agreed to many of the presented points of Constantino, however, a thorough understanding of the current Philippine standing was still considered. Rizal, in question, was a hero we do not fully understand, he is a hero forcibly imposed and not thought thoroughly upon. Hence, we should not forget the contributions he gave in the spark of the revolution done by others in the past. It is indeed a fascinating confusion that led us to where we are today.

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Nancy Pelosi is a villain in Biden's inner circle — and a hero to the rest of the Democratic Party

CHICAGO — In the morality play that yielded a new Democratic presidential nominee last month, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., could be seen as a heroine who risked a political backlash to save her party's chances in November or a villain who bloodlessly, needlessly and rashly pushed aside its sitting president.

When she stepped to the lectern at the Democratic National Convention here Wednesday night — as a two-time speaker of the House who voluntarily gave up her own power last year after helping deliver the legislative agendas of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden — she was greeted as a favorite.

In a brief address, Pelosi recounted for the audience that former President Donald Trump — the Republican nominee — tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election and that his supporters attacked the Capitol on the day Biden's victory was certified in Congress.

"Let us not forget who assaulted democracy on Jan. 6: He did," she said. "The parable of Jan. 6 reminds us that our democracy is only as strong as the courage and commitment of those entrusted with its care, and we must choose leaders who believe in free and fair elections, who respect the peaceful transfer of power."

And, she added, "The choice couldn't be clearer."

To the extent that there is a certain uneasiness about this convention, which was supposed to renominate Biden for a second term, it is limited to a small circle of party power brokers whose relationships were fractured when Biden was dumped and replaced by Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's standard-bearer.

No one was more central to the first part of that push than Pelosi. When Biden insisted that he would stay in the race following a calamitous debate against former President Donald Trump in June, Pelosi said he still had a decision to make . Whenever he gained a tenuous foothold against a mudslide of Democratic doubts, new Pelosi allies called on him to abandon his campaign. She spoke to him privately to voice the concerns of fellow Democrats that he might not only lose the election but could also rob the party of its hopes of winning the House.

The real moral of the story for Democrats here is that their only priority is beating Trump, and most of them think Pelosi put them in a better position to do that. Biden was the beneficiary of that sentiment when he won the party's nomination in 2020 and faced nominal opposition in 2024 — right up until the moment many Democrats, led by Pelosi, decided he was no longer their best option.

"With love and respect for Joe Biden, she kept us in the game," Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., a longtime Pelosi ally, said two hours before she spoke. "She did the right thing."

Her efforts to pressure Biden were complemented by Obama confidants who turned on him publicly. Biden was personally hurt by betrayals that occurred at a time when he thought he could bounce back from the debate performance and win the presidency again. Those wounds may never heal.

John Morgan, a major Democratic donor from Florida who said he speaks frequently with Pelosi, described her as being “extremely distraught about this because she genuinely loves Joe Biden.”

On Wednesday, former New Orleans mayor and senior Biden White House adviser Mitch Landrieu declined to address whether Pelosi deserves praise or blame.

"The torch has been passed," said Landrieu, who was a co-chair of Biden's campaign and continues in that role for Harris. "We're talking about the future now."

But for more than three weeks, as fellow Democrats lobbied Biden publicly and privately to drop his re-election bid, he and his allies took ever greater umbrage.

He had sent Trump packing from the White House by winning the 2020 election, he had delivered substantive policy wins on national infrastructure, climate change and other priorities, and he had carried out his job with dignity. The lack of faith in his ability to bounce back from adversity stung, as did the cascade of calls for his departure that they believe were encouraged, if not orchestrated, by Pelosi and other elites.

Anita Dunn, a longtime adviser to Biden who served in similar roles for Obama, needled Pelosi for not having done a better job holding onto the House in the 2022 midterms in an interview with Politico earlier this month.

"You know, clearly there were leaders of the party who decided to go ahead and go very public," Dunn said. "And that gave permission to other people to go public." Asked whether she was talking about Pelosi, specifically, Dunn replied, "Absolutely."

Did Pelosi, Obama and others force out a man who stubbornly clung to power at the expense of the people who elected him? Or did they create a self-fulfilling prophecy that Biden couldn't win by knee-capping him? If that question is ever fully answered, it likely won't be until after all the votes are counted in November.

For now, Pelosi is being treated as the Democratic Party's godmother and its godfather, as caretaker and enforcer. Mindy Kaling, the comedian hosting the third night of the Democratic convention, introduced her as "the mother of dragons" — a reference to the powerful queen in the television program "Game of Thrones."

"The ethos of the party and here at this convention is there is no more paramount goal than ensuring Donald Trump comes nowhere near the Oval Office again — everything else is secondary to that," said Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va. "Nancy Pelosi gave expression to that and acted on it."

The reception Pelosi received Wednesday night suggests that the party's delegates quickly forgave any venal sin committed in the name of the larger goals of defeating Trump and capturing congressional majorities. It was the same crowd that showered affection on Biden — who quickly departed the convention scene after his Monday night speech — on the previous two nights.

"I think there are, understandably so, deeply hurt feelings — but not among grassroots Democrats," said Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. "The people who were the most loyal to Joe Biden were loyal to him because they are loyal Democrats. And so the moment the switch was made, the moment Joe Biden said this is our best path forward, all of those very loyal Democrats behaved like very loyal Democrats."

If Biden and his allies remain frustrated with Pelosi — and many of them do — their anger hasn't filtered down through the ranks of a party that is jubilant about Harris.

"She's a person that did what she thought was best for the situation," said Alex Davis, a 26-year-old grocer from Portland, Oregon, who attended the convention as a delegate. "Given her experience, she felt very comfortable in the position that she took as far as the primary and Biden's decision."

After speaking for more than 45 minutes on the opening night of the convention, in remarks split between promoting his legacy and cheering on Harris, Biden didn't stick around to hear Obama's address on Tuesday or Pelosi's remarks Wednesday. Both of them applauded his presidency and his character.

"History will remember Joe Biden as an outstanding president who defended democracy at a moment of great danger," Obama said. "And I am proud to call him my president, but I am even prouder to call him my friend."

In her speech Tuesday night, Pelosi ticked through a list of Biden's accomplishments and thanked him for "one of the most successful presidencies of modern times."

Their words appeared designed to paper over their roles in fomenting the revolt that led Biden to end a career as a candidate that spanned more than half a century — from county councilman to senator to vice president and president. For the delegates here, and for most Democrats across the country, the consensus that quickly formed around Harris and the energy her candidacy has injected into the party are evidence that Pelosi acted in their best interests.

"I've just never heard a complaint from someone who’s not in power about Nancy Pelosi," Schatz said. "These are some principals and some operatives having a disagreement about tactics and strategy. That doesn’t mean that those feelings aren’t hurt. It’s just that they don’t reverberate in any way that would affect the vote."

essay on the national hero

Jonathan Allen is a senior national politics reporter for NBC News.

essay on the national hero

Natasha Korecki is a senior national political reporter for NBC News.

IMAGES

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COMMENTS

  1. (PDF) José Rizal: The Life of the National Hero

    Born in Calamba on June 19, 1861, and passing away in Manila on December 30, 1896, José Rizal was a Filipino nationalist, physician, and author. His full name is José Protasio Rizal. Mercado y ...

  2. Who is Rizal? : A compilation of Argumentative Essays on the "National

    This reflection paper critically explores the dichotomy surrounding Jose Rizal's status as a hero in Philippine nationalism. Initiated during early university studies and influenced by Renato Constantino's essay, "Veneration Without Understanding," the paper navigates through the complexities of Rizal's heroism, challenging the idealized narrative ingrained in early education.

  3. José Rizal

    José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda [7] (Spanish: [xoˈse riˈsal,-ˈθal], Tagalog: [hoˈse ɾiˈsal]; June 19, 1861 - December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines.He is considered a national hero (pambansang bayani) of the Philippines. [8] [9] An ophthalmologist by profession, Rizal became ...

  4. Jose Rizal

    In 1887 Rizal published his first novel, Noli me tangere (The Social Cancer), a passionate exposure of the evils of Spanish rule in the Philippines.A sequel, El filibusterismo (1891; The Reign of Greed), established his reputation as the leading spokesman of the Philippine reform movement.He published an annotated edition (1890; reprinted 1958) of Antonio Morga's Sucesos de las Islas ...

  5. José Rizal: The Life of the National Hero

    BODY Born in Calamba on June 19, 1861, and passing away in Manila on December 30, 1896, José Rizal was a Filipino nationalist, physician, and author. His full name is José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda. The son of a wealthy landowner, Rizal attended school in Manila and the University of Madrid.

  6. The Life And Legacy Of Jos Rizal: National Hero Of The Philippines

    Writer. 08 June 2018. Dr. José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, is not only admired for possessing intellectual brilliance but also for taking a stand and resisting the Spanish colonial government. While his death sparked a revolution to overthrow the tyranny, Rizal will always be remembered for his compassion towards the Filipino ...

  7. Jose Rizal, National Hero of the Philippines

    José Rizal (June 19, 1861-December 30, 1896) was a man of intellectual power and artistic talent whom Filipinos honor as their national hero. He excelled at anything that he put his mind to: medicine, poetry, sketching, architecture, sociology, and more. Despite little evidence, he was martyred by Spanish colonial authorities on charges of ...

  8. (PDF) Who Made Rizal Our Foremost National Hero, and Why? PROF ESTEBAN

    This reflection essay tackles the controversy enveloping Jose Rizal's qualifications as the national hero of the Philippines. The essay unfolds an intricate layer of details entailing Rizal's role and contribution to the founding of the Philippines as an independent country. The paper employs a reflective framework of analysis and an ...

  9. How Rizal Became the National Hero of the Philippines

    The Americans deemed this approach to independence of Andres Bonifacio to be unacceptable and may inspire other Filipinos to rebel against American rule. This is why Jose Rizal was chosen over him as the national hero. Jose Rizal was declared as the greatest Filipino hero during the American colonization after the Aguinaldo led armed forces ...

  10. Short Biography of Jose Rizal, National Hero of the Philippines

    Jose Rizal was a patriot, physician, and man of letters whose life and literary works were an inspiration to the Philippine nationalist movement. Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal was born in the town of Calamba, Laguna, on June 19, 1861. He was the second son, and the seventh among eleven children, of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso.

  11. (PDF) A Reflection Paper on the Question of Rizal's Heroism and

    In conclusion, Rizal is not deserving of the title national hero, and is indeed a womaniz er. Some people might say, it's not his fault he's the national hero, because as mentioned, it was the

  12. Essay: Why Jose Rizal became Our National Hero of the Philippines

    Jun 10, 2016. During the Spanish regime, we can say that only few Filipinos have the capability or have the courage to fight the perpetrators. Among this few brave men, why Rizal stood out and became our national hero although they have done the same thing for the country - to free us from the Spaniards. Before we compare Rizal from other ...

  13. National Hero of the Philippines

    A national hero of the Philippines is a Filipino who has been recognized as a national hero for their role in the history of the Philippines. Loosely, the term may refer to all historical figures recognized as heroes, but the term more strictly refers to those officially designated as such. ... wrote in his 1970 essay Veneration Without ...

  14. DOES RIZAL DESERVES TO BE OUR NATIONAL HERO?

    Rizal's advocacy of education is the. way of the Americans to put us in a colonial system of education. In this part I understood why. someone is deserving to be a national hero more than Rizal ...

  15. [OPINION] Reading, understanding, and appreciating Rizal

    The lack of understanding of Rizal comes, in my modest opinion, because Rizal was a writer and suffers the irony of being a national hero in a country where most people do not like to read. Sadly ...

  16. (PDF) Rizal: A Hero or Not

    Rizal: A Hero or Not. Jestoni B . Castro. This is a reflection paper questioning the position of Dr. Jose Rizal as the Philippines national hero. This paper do not have the intention to disrespect Rizal but more often that he should not the only national hero that Philippines must have. Let always put in our mind that an opinion without respect ...

  17. Explanation of Why Jose Rizal is Our National Hero

    To conclude essay about jose rizal as national hero, the life and works of Rizal is an opportunity to understand, determine, and know the different sides of Philippine history, especially during the Spanish colonial period. Reading the accomplishments of Rizal is an eye-opener for me, and I realized how good, brave, and strong Rizal is. ...

  18. Does Rizal deserve to be our national hero .pdf

    An essay which about to Rizal is he deserve to be our National Hero. rizal deserve to be our national on the 30th day of december, the philippines commemorates. Skip to document. University; High School; Books; Discovery. ... Therefore, this essay evaluates and reflects on whether Dr. Rizal is the only one who deserves to be a national hero.

  19. Does Rizal Deserves to be the National Hero

    say no. Rizal deserves to be a hero b ut not a national hero. Based on the re asons I have read in. some secondary sources, why Ri zal is deserving to b e a national hero, all I see is th at Rizal ...

  20. Constructing National Heroes: Postcolonial Philippine and Cuban ...

    A national hero, then, is a means to simplify the complexity of nationalism. Life stories may of course utilize various methods and depend upon dif fering notions of authority. Leon Edel, for example, identifed three types of biography: chronicle, pictorial, and narrative-pictorial or novelistic (83).

  21. (PDF) A Critical Essay on the Question of Rizal's Heroism and

    A Critical Essay on the Question of Rizal's Heroism and Significance to Philippine History and Nationalism ... Especially to our National hero Jose Protacio Rizal Alonso Y Realonda. The abuses committed by the church toward the Filipino minority were brought to the public's attention by him, earning him the reputation of a reputable and Strong ...

  22. National Heroes Day

    It kicked off a project to elevate the heroism of Datu Akader, historically called Amaipakpak, to the status of a national hero. While his heroism and valor have been recorded in various narratives which qualify him to be declared a national hero, no attempt has ever been made to elevate him to the ranks of Rizal, Bonifacio et al. ...

  23. Essay on National Space Day in English

    100 Words Essay on National Space Day. India will celebrate its maiden National Space Day on August 23, 2024, to commemorate the successful landing of the Vikram Lander on the lunar surface. The Chandrayaan-3 mission was accomplished on August 23, 2023. With this remarkable feat, India became the fourth nation to land on the moon and the first ...

  24. (PDF) Rizal, a national hero?

    GEED 10013 Life and Works of Rizal. Prof. Jacinto R. Valila Jr. A Reflection Paper on. "Veneration without Understanding" by Renato Constantino. (1974) GADON, Matthew Edi Q. BSME 2-2.

  25. Sanalila, Rochelle O. BSTRM 3-1N Does Rizal deserve to be our National Hero

    Sanalila, Rochelle O. BSTRM 3-1N Does Rizal deserve to be our National Hero? Jose Rizal is our national hero. The Philippine Eagle as the national bird, the Sampaguita as the national flower, the Narra as the national tree, and the Philippine Pearl as the national gem are among the few officially recognized symbols because Rizal was an ideal candidate because he died without ever committing ...

  26. Nancy Pelosi is a villain in Biden's inner circle

    Nancy Pelosi is a villain in Biden's inner circle — and a hero to the rest of the Democratic Party ... When she stepped to the lectern at the Democratic National Convention here Wednesday night ...