Pilas Pinas: A Digital Magazine

February 2022

Cruz, Emille Triane Panlilio, Allaine Antoinette Reyes, Allen Romulo, Aliyah Geri Sta. Maria, Rei Natalie

R I P P I N G T H E "PERFECT REPUTATION"

PILAS. JOSE RIZAL

Our National Hero,

WHO

IS

HE Designed by

Sta. Maria

Input by

Cruz, Panlilio, Reyes, Romulo

Published by

Group 4 EM3

Portrait of our National Hero, Jose Rizal

“One only dies once, and if one does not die well, a good opportunity is lost and will not present itself again.”

CONTENTS

February 2022

CONTENTS 01 03 05 07 09 11 13 15 17 19 21 23

Editor's Note

Jose Rizal: A National Hero?

Jose Rizal: A Hero-Saint?

Jose Rizal: A Human Hero Journey: Important Figures in Rizal's Life

Jose Rizal and the 1896 Revolution Veneration of Rizal as a National Hero The Makings of a Hero

Ripping the "Perfect Reputation" Kanya-Kanyang Rizal

To The Youth QOTD: Question of the Day with Pilas Pinas editorial team

N OT

ED IT OR S

February 2022

Editorial Team

EDITOR'S NOTE

Allen Reyes

Editor In-Chief, Writer, Editor, Fact-Checker

Emille Cruz

Writer, Editor, Fact-Checker

Allaine Panlilio Writer, Editor, Fact-Checker

PILAS PINAS TEAM We proudly present to you the first publication of Pilas Pinas magazine with the theme “the ‘human’ Rizal that we know.” The magazine’s cover page shows the tearing of Rizal’s portrait, but underneath it, there is still a photograph of the hero. We depict that as ripping Rizal’s “perfect reputation,” thus, revealing the true him and discovering his human side not only through his achievements but also through his flaws to understand him as a national hero fully.

As you flip through the following pages of this magazine, you will be able to read a variety of articles all about Jose Rizal. For the introduction, Jose Rizal as a national hero, a hero saint, and a human hero will be tackled. The body will discuss significant persons in his life, him and the 1896 revolution, his veneration as a national hero, and his strengths and weaknesses. Lastly, the conclusion will contain how we can have our kanya-kanyang Rizal, venerate him with understanding, and our overall reflection as a group.

Aliyah Romulo

Writer, Editor, Fact-Checker

We hope that you will take the time to read and appreciate the contents that this magazine offers. Remember that there is so much to read, ponder, and know. May this be an inspiration and an eyeopener that anyone could do what Jose Rizal did for our country. Let us continue to build nationalism in our ways.

Yours,

Group 4 EM3

Natalie Sta. Maria Editorial Designer, Writer, Editor

Jose Rizal | Page 2

February 2022

Jose Rizal: A Nationa M

ost countries have individuals who possess a concept of a nation and aspire sdfdfsdf for the country’s freedom.

These people are referred to as "national heroes" in the country.

Sometimes, an individual stands out among all heroes and is immensely admired and recognized by the majority of the populace in a country.

José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, best known as Jose Rizal, was a man of extraordinary talent and intellect.

Jose Rizal was a polyglot who spoke numerous languages fluently as well as a polymath who was a man of many professions with varying degrees of expertise in various fields. Due to his heroic deeds, he is arguably one of the most revered Filipino individuals in Philippine asdasdas

Jose Rizal | Page 3

history. Indeed, a brave young man who made a significant contribution to his homeland. Truly, Rizal deserves to be recognized as a hero of his country.

Rizal is best renowned for his political writings, which sparked the Philippine revolution and eventually led to his death by Spanish colonizers.

These political writings include his two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which revealed the Spanish government's wrongdoings, particularly the brutality and corruption. In turn, these novels awakened the Filipinos’ national consciousness, which contributed to the concept of nationalism. Rizal stood up against injustices and defended his beliefs until the day he died.

With this, he has become a symbol of the Philippine struggle for independence.

Rizal is regarded as a national hero primarily because he had a significant impact on Philippine history. However, according to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, no law, executive order, or proclamation has been issued sdfsf

January 2022 February 2022

A picture showing José Rizal being executed. This photo was taken on December 30, 1896 at around 7:00 AM at the Bagumbayan. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rizal_execution.jpg

al Hero legally declaring any Filipino historical figure as a national hero. Even Jose Rizal, often regarded as the greatest of Filipino heroes, was not officially declared as a national hero.

Although there is no legislation that declares Rizal a national hero, there have been laws and proclamations issued to honor him.

These include the Decree of December 20, 1898, which declared December 30 to be a day of national mourning in honor of Jose Rizal and the other victims of the Philippine Revolution, and Act No.137, which named the Morong politico-military district the Province of Rizal.

The stature Jose Rizal currently has in Philippine history is a testament to the people’s continuous veneration of him due to his contribution to the tremendous social developments that occurred in our nation.

“Genius has no country; genius bursts forth everywhere; genius is like the light and air, the patrimony of all: cosmopolitan as space, as life and God.” - Dr. Jose Rizal (The Brindis Speech)

By Allen Reyes & Aliyah Romulo

Jose Rizal | Page 4

That smiling photo of Rizal taken at the home of Juliana Pardo de Tavera, Rue de Pergolese, Paris by Felix, brother of TH (Edited) https://www.facebook.com/1595134980537249/posts/3179693538748044/

February 2022

Jose Rizal: The Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Edited) Esquire Philippines

I

t is only appropriate to honor a hero whose heroic actions for the country have had a significant impact on today's society.

Filipinos have continued to pay tribute to Rizal saddasdasd in a variety of ways. With this, Rizal’s legacy lives on as long as Filipinos demonstrate love and respect for their country. However, it is worth noting that for certain groups, Rizal's greatness transcends that of a hero. These groups are unified by their faith in the hero Jose Rizal, which immortalizes and worships Rizal to the status of a divine being.

The majority of Filipinos are unaware that Rizal has been proclaimed a saint by the Philippine Independent Church or Iglesia Filipina Independiente, with Gregorio Aglipay as its first Supreme Bishop. The Philippine Independent Church (PIC) had attracted several followers due to its anti-friar and antiimperialism initiatives. The canonization of Rizal and the GomBurZa followed Roman Catholic rites. The new saints' birth and death anniversaries were subsequently commemorated in their honor, statues of them were revered at the altars, their names were bestowed at baptism, and novenas were written in the case of Rizal. The Philippine Independent Church's canonization of Rizal was crucially significant to the church and its adherents. Rizal’s photos and statues are seen at PIC churches and chapels, where devotees can pay their respects and worship him.

However, photos and statues of Rizal on the altars of PIC can no longer be seen today. The PIC no longer commemorated Rizal's birthday asdad

or death anniversary, indicating that the church had revoked the notion of worshiping Rizal as a holy figure.

Despite this fact, this did not deter the formation of other Rizalista organizations.

Many of these organizations believe that Rizal is still alive and that his followers will be liberated from oppression and poverty. Various Rizalist groups hold different beliefs about Jose Rizal's divinity. Some believe that he is God himself, while others believe that Rizal was God's second son, the reincarnation of Christ.

Moreover, some of these groups regard Rizal as the god of pre-Spanish Malay religion. Many of these groups claim that joining their group is the only way to salvation. Among the Rizalist groups are Bathalismo, Samahan ng Tatlong Persona Solo Dios, Suprema de la Iglesia del Ciudad Mystica de Dios, Sagrada Familia, Spiritual Filipino Catholic Church, Watawat ng Lahi, and Adarnista. Some may identify Rizalist groups as cults; however, it should be noted that these groups have their traditions that can be traced back in history, and these groups continue our culture from the past to the present.

With this, it is evident that Filipinos have different ways of venerating the hero, Jose Rizal. It is crucial to acknowledge that it is natural for individuals to have different cultures and ideals and that people cannot be confined by a single belief system. Differences in cultures and beliefs should be based on mutual respect.

By Allen Reyes & Aliyah Romulo

Jose Rizal | Page 6

February 2022

Jose Rizal: A Human Hero E

veryone or the majority of people are familiar with the name "Jose Rizal". It may be heard and seen everywhere sinceasdad it is associated with numerous things, including the peso coin, streets, buildings, a holiday, and a province. Out of all of these, do people genuinely know the hero Jose Rizal?

Rizal is a renowned man who led a meaningful life—a hero with such achievements. Because of that, people tend to overlook his mortality, sometimes to the point that he is put so high and above on a pedestal, which makes him unreachable and unrelatable for ordinary human beings. But, the truth is, even with a title as one of the national heroes of the Philippines, he was as human as everyone; thus, he should be viewed as one, yet with high regard and respect.

One thing that proves that Rizal was a mere human being was him as an average student.

He gained and received awards due to his hard work, and at the same time, he still had struggles in studying. He excelled at many things; he learned and spoke different languages, and he finished his Arts and Agriculture degrees with flying colors (highest honors). However, like a typical student, he cannot be good at everything; he was not that gifted in medicine, so he got average and lower grades, especially when sdasdasda

Jose Rizal | Page 7

he was in Madrid. Another thing is that he had peers who got his back and supported him, his works, and his ideologies. However, a few of his friendships came to a bitter end because of some misunderstandings.

Moreover, he was also a lover boy; he had gotten into many romantic relationships throughout his life, starting from Segunda Katigbak to Josephine Bracken. Lastly, just like most people, he struggled financially.

Since he was only dependent on his allowance from his family, he had to become thrifty, but he was impulsive and spoiled himself when it came to books, photographs, and theatre shows.

Although a hero's actions and achievements are immortalized over time, the hero himself cannot be immortalized by a bare title. To revere a hero, one must think critically and historically to regard the hero himself properly. Believing that Rizal was an ordinary individual is not a sin, nor is it hard to do. Accepting the fact that he had experienced similar things to what people are supposed to face in life does not downgrade him as a hero. Instead of thinking of him as the ideal hero who is always at the top, it is better to see him as a typical human, but a human who persevered to become the great man his nation and the whole world know him to be.

By Emille Cruz & Aliyah Romulo

"Like Us Within"

Art by Natalie Sta. Maria

February 2022

Ferdinand Blumentritt

Paciano Rizal

Teodora Alonso Realonda y Quintos

Journey: Important Figures in Rizal's Life

Jose Rizal | Page 9

Doña Teodora, Jose Rizal’s mother, had the greatest influence on his personal growth. She was the one who first opened his eyes and heart to the world around him. His mother was his first teacher, she taught him how to read and, as a result, to appreciate reading as a way of learning and spending one’s time meaningfully. Moreover, Rizal learned to value time as life’s most valuable gift as Doña Teodora taught him to never waste a single moment of it. Indeed, Doña Teodora had taught Rizal numerous life lessons, including generosity, the importance of self-improvement, the value of hard-earned money, and most significantly, obedience.

Paciano Rizal is a lesser-known figure who is frequently recognized as Jose Rizal's older brother. Paciano was tasked with overseeing the education of his younger brother, Jose Rizal. He brought Rizal to Biñan to study, accompanied him to Manila, and enrolled him at the Ateneo Municipal. At this period, Paciano provided for all of Rizal's needs as a student.

Unfortunately, Rizal's education in Europe to further his medical studies had left Paciano with heavy responsibilities, such as informing their parents of Rizal's true intention of leaving the Philippines and, most notably, carrying the burden of working hard to find means to finance his brother's expenses while studying abroad.

Jose Rizal's correspondence with Ferdinand Blumentritt was a defining moment in his life. Blumentritt introduced Rizal to well-known intellectuals and scholars in Europe. He eventually became Rizal's mentor, defender, and avid supporter. It was also through him that Rizal met Dr. Reinhold Rost, who assisted Rizal in obtaining permission to utilize the British Museum's library, which led to Rizal discovering Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas by Antonio de Morga, which he annotated in order to rewrite Philippine history.

All portrait pictures courtesy of WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

February 2022

By Aliyah Romulo All portrait pictures courtesy of WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Jose Basa

Jose Basa, popularly known as the "Ismagler ng Himagsikang Filipino," was a reformer and agitator who attracted the attention of Spanish colonial authorities. In addition, he became the distributor of the liberal newspaper and was a member of the Comite de Reformadores (Committee of Reformers), along with Fr. José Burgos. Jose Rizal and Jose Basa formed a great connection when the first editions of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were smuggled into the Philippines.

Basa's efforts were instrumental in bringing the newspaper La Solidaridad and Rizal's two novels to the country, which awakened Filipinos to current events at that time.

Valentin Ventura

During the revolutionary period, Valentin Ventura was a reformist who helped fund the publication of Jose Rizal's second novel, El Filibusterismo. Rizal had the opportunity to meet and become friends with Valentin during his time in Paris. It was at this period that Valentin got the opportunity to listen to Rizal's thoughts, which he greatly admired. When the publication of El Filibusterismo was suspended owing to a lack of funding, he offered his money to support the publication of the second novel. Rizal handed him the original manuscript of the novel as a token of his gratitude after it was published and distributed.

Maximo Viola

Jose Rizal had formed a friendship with Maximo Viola, who later became the patron of Rizal's first novel, Noli Me Tangere. Likewise, Viola was also active in the Propaganda Movement. In addition, he accepted Rizal’s invitation to join him on tour to Europe. Rizal was concerned about his financial incapacity to publish Noli Me Tangere at the time, and he considered abandoning his plan to publish the novel by destroying the manuscript. Viola, convinced of the novel’s importance and purpose, funded its publication, with an initial print of 2000 copies. Rizal sent hum the galley proofs and the first published copy as a token of his gratitude.

Josephine Bracken

Jose Rizal's last lover was Josephine Bracken. In connection with Rizal's rumored retraction, she is a rather controversial figure in Rizal's life. The connection between Rizal, the lonely exile, and Josephine has blossomed into a relationship. However, Rizal’s sisters accused her of being a spy for the Spaniards. Rizal and Josephine were unable to marry because Rizal was a mason, which was another contentious event. This is related to Rizal's rumored retraction, as the only way to marry was if Rizal retracted everything he had said and written against the church.

Jose Rizal | Page 10

February 2022

Jose Rizal and the 1896 Revolution Throughout Philippine history, people have remembered Jose Rizal’s heroism mainly through his martyrdom. Unlike other heroes who struggled in an aggressive and brutal manner, Rizal believed that independence could be achieved peacefully. Often, a national hero is considered the leader of a national revolution.

Jose Rizal | Page 11

In the Philippines, however, Jose Rizal is recognized as a national hero despite his opposition to and repudiation of the 1896 Revolution. The 1896 Revolution, as well as other national revolutions, are frequently seen as the pinnacle of success and a period in history when people’s involvement, solidarity, and active participation in the struggle for freedom are most evident.

A close-up of Jose Rizal WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

January 2022

The Philippine Army https://www.filipinoamericanwar189 91902.com/thephilippinearmy.htm

Engraving of Filipino insurgent leader Andrés Bonifacio WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

From the very beginning, when I first had notice of what was being planned, I opposed it, fought it, and demonstrated its absolute impossibility. I did even more. When later, against my advice, the movement materialized, of my own accord I offered my good offices, but my very life, and even my name, to be used in whatever way might seem best, toward stifling the rebellion; for convinced of the ills which it would bring, I considered myself fortunate if, at any sacrifice, I could prevent such useless misfortune…. I have written also (and I repeat my words) that reforms, to be beneficial, must come from above, and those which comes from below are irregularly gained and uncertain. Holding these ideas, I cannot do less than condemn, and I do condemn this uprising which dishonors us Filipinos and discredits those that could plead our cause. I abhor its criminal methods and disclaim all part in it, pitying from the bottom of my heart the unwary that have been deceived into taking part in it.

Jose Rizal’s Manifesto of December 15, 1896

According to Jose Rizal’s Manifesto of December 15, 1896, he expressed his opposition to the armed revolution against Spain. He declared that when the plan of the revolution came to his attention, he opposed it. He also indicated his fullest willingness to provide all he could to stifle the revolution. Furthermore, Rizal said unequivocally that an armed revolution was impossible, absurd, and destructive. The manifesto also emphasized the need for education in achieving liberty. Most significantly, Rizal believed that reforms must come from above in order to be aasdasdasdasdads

successful and that those that come from below are weak, irregular, and uncertain.

Despite the fact that Rizal was not directly involved in the Philippine Revolution, his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are widely regarded as the catalysts for the revolution. These novels acted as a wake-up call to the people in opposition to Spanish colonial rule. Rizal's works have remained influential as, without them, the Filipino people would not have awoken and stood up for their nation.

By Allen Reyes

Jose Rizal | Page 12

February 2022

Veneration

of Rizal as a National Hero D

espite being lauded as the country’s national hero, several historians have questioned the reason and validity of Jose Rizal’s veneration sdadad over the years. The most well-known reason for his veneration, which most Filipinos were taught in school, is that his achievements earned him the title.

However, there is an argument that contradicts this statement: Rizal received the title as a result of American influence. These two arguments will be explored further in this article through the lens of two historians, Armando Malay for the former, and Renato Constantino for the latter.

Jose Rizal with Marcelo H. del Pilar and Mariano Ponce (Edited) WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Jose Rizal | Page 13

One of the biggest arguments made by Constantino is that Rizal was unworthy of the title since he was not a revolutionary leader. Rizal actively opposed the revolution for its violent nature, instead advocating for reforms aimed at bringing Filipinos and Spaniards together. Constantino cited other heroes who led their countries in battle, claiming that Rizal’s repudiation of the revolution intentionally diminishes the sacrifice of the soldiers who were a part of it.

Moreover, Constantino attributes Rizal’s refusal to physically fight for his country to his social status as an ilustrado, implying that he could not empathize to the plight of impoverished masses, who comprised the majority of the revolution. In fact, as Constantino states, Rizal left the country for Spian, further isolating himself from the people he was meant to be fighting for and highlighting the disparity between the educated and the masses. Another argument provided by Constantino is that Rizal was an American-made hero since, when the country was choosing a national hero in 1901, the Americans had a afdsf

February 2022

strong influence on the decision and thus chose Rizal among other candidates such as Emilio Aguinaldo and Andres Bonifacio. Rizal was chosen because he was not a revolutionary, and hence would not incite revolt against the Americans.

Malay’s article was written in response to Constantino’s. According to him, being a revolutionary leader does not automatically make a person a national hero; rather, it is the contributions that makes one worthy of the title, and Rizal was not lacking. From his influential body of work that is still relevant to the Filipino society today, to him leading the Propaganda Movement and using his status as an ilustrado to learn from other countries and lobby for reforms abroad, all of these aspects combine to create a person deserving of the title of national hero.

Rizal is still relevant today because of his contributions and achievements; he inspires greatness in every Filipino and serves as a role model for the country’s people. Because of this, Rizal was lauded as a hero long before the arrival of the Americans. Despite the fact that he did not participate in the revolution, Rizal was regarded as an honorary president of the Katipunan. Furthermore, Emilio Aguinaldo even declared December 30th as a day of mourning in honor of Rizal.

Whether or not Rizal was American-sponsored does not change the fact that he is the country’s national hero. However, the two historians’ views on Rizal themselves are at the heart of their works. Malay argues in “Veneration with Understanding” that Rizal’s achievements earned him the right to be venerated. Rizal has more than shown himself worthy of the title simply by contributing and giving so much to the country. The article’s title, “Veneration with Understanding,” is a response to Constantino’s “Veneration Without Understanding,” in which the historian argues that Filipinos place Rizal onto a high pedestal, almost to the point that we can scarcely perceive him for what he truly is. People revere him without understanding that he, too, has flaws, failures in judgment, and even mistakes; people see him as something more than human.

Both historians made meaningful but differing points about Rizal. Yes, Rizal accomplished all of these things, and yes, he left a legacy that continues to influence Filipinos today. adasdasdasdasdasdasdasd

Jose Rizal in London (Edited) https://www.flickr.com/photos/gov ph/18290904983/in/photostream/

However, he was entirely human at the same time. He, like everyone else, was flawed and made mistakes.

People would ideally want to perceive Rizal as a role model for who and what a Filipino should be as the country's national hero. In addition, as the country’s role model, people tend to see only his rights and none of his wrongs. As Constantino points out, Rizal’s flaws should inspire us just as much as his achievements.

People should learn from this flaws as much as they do from his accomplishments.

By Allaine Panlilio Jose Rizal | Page 14

February 2022

Rizal at age 14, A rare photo of Jose Rizal smiling, Jose Rizal with Marcelo H. del Pilar and Mariano Ponce Dr. Jose Rizal treating a patient (All Edited) https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/joserizal-rare-photos-a00297-20200619-lfrm

The Makings of a Hero

W

hat makes a person worthy of being called a hero? For some it may be the strength of their character, how dfafsdfs righteously good they are as a person. For others, it may come down to how much good they have done, from their accomplishments to their decisions, to their contributions to a community. Dr. Jose Rizal, our national hero, was a man of both.

Jose Rizal | Page 15

Growing up, Rizal was very family-oriented.

The hero credits his mother, Dona Teodora, as his first teacher, teaching him how to read and how to be God-fearing. Rizal had many siblings, three of whom he had the closest relationship with: his older sister Narcisa who pawned off her jewelry so that Rizal could study abroad, his younger sister Trinidad of whom Rizal entrusted his final poem before his XF

The student residents of Casa Tomasina https://flic.kr/p/tSiEVP

February 2022 death, and his older brother Paciano of who raised him when the two were living in Binan for their education. Rizal was an extremely dedicated and hardworking student from an early age until the end of his life. He wrote poetry, took land surveying in Ateneo at the same time he was taking philosophy at the University of Santo Tomas, then eventually took medicine in the same university. His love for learning and inherent curiosity eventually helped him in Spain where he studied the country’s language, customs, and society that contributed to his cause of liberating his own motherland. It took a strong personality and a lot of courage for someone to leave their country, and even more to become the leader of a movement that actively contested the oppressive Spanish rule in the country.

As the leader of the Propaganda Movement, he used his skills in writing to write for La Solidaridad, the mouthpiece of the movement, and actively criticized Spanish rule. He used his writing to fight for our country’s rights and uplift its citizens at the same time as evidenced by some of his works like To the Young Women of Malolos and his speech to painters Antonio Luna and Felix Hidalgo. However, we know Rizal for his two most famous works, Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The two books shone light on the atrocities and injustices committed by the Spaniards on the Filipinos, they criticized the oppressive systems in power, and most importantly, they incited anger in the reader, encouraging them to stand up and fight back against the systems alluded to in the books. Other historical figures that were a part of La Liga Filipina like Mabini and Bonifacio credit their ideals towards dsadsdasdasdasdafadf

those two novels. Moreover, Rizal also wrote numerous poems over the course of his life, contributing heavily to the Philippine literary canon. Not only was the hero accomplished in the field of the arts and literature as he is most well known for, but he was also gifted in the field of science, specifically medicine. He used his degrees in medicine and land surveying to help his family and his community in Dapitan. From performing corrective eye surgery on his own mother to opening a free clinic in Dapitan, to even creating an entire irrigation system for the Dapitans, it’s safe to say that Rizal was a polymath through and through.

However, above all, more than all his accomplishments and achievements, his love for his family, and his love for learning, Rizal was a nationalist. He loved the country that raised him, fed him, and clothed him. Because of his intense love for this country and its people, he essentially rewrote its history from scratch, recontextualized it from the point of view of the Filipinos.

Moreover, he reformed the Filipino language into what we know it today because he believed that it was equal to other languages like Latin and Spanish and was therefore worthy of great respect and honor. Through reforming the spelling to creating a Tagalog dictionary, Rizal was able to unite the Filipinos not only through teaching them about their shared history but also through creating a common tongue for them to use to communicate with one another. As Filipinos today, Rizal embodies what we should emulate ourselves to become better citizens of the country and to become better individuals.

By Allaine Panlilio

Jose Rizal | Page 16

February 2022

Ripping the "Perfect Reputation" A

ll people have their limitations and weaknesses; the things they are not good at, the things they do that they do not want others to know, which are what fsdfsdf makes them normal human beings. Individuals usually perceive Jose Rizal as a flawless hero due to how he was portrayed in books, films, etc.; it was always about his achievements, martyrdom, and dramatic death.

However, people, especially the Filipinos, should revere Rizal while seeing the whole picture that he has defects; he has shortcomings, vices, limitations, and weaknesses even though he is a national hero.

The fact that Jose Rizal served as one of the keys to the country’s independence is undeniable. In his manifesto, he believed in a particular premise: education is a must in attaining the overall freedom of the nation and its people.

Thus, in his opinion, reforms must come from above, the ilustrados, for those to be successful. That may be the biggest weakness of his: the failure in fully understanding his fellowmen. He failed to empathize with what the Filipinos, especially the masses, felt, viewed things and their opinions regarding the oppression they were experiencing and the planning of the revolution.

Additionally, he completely underestimated the people from below, their capabilities, and their power. They, too, could make reforms and changes for the overall development of the country and the lives of Filipinos.

Aside from those major weaknesses of Jose Rizal, despite the vast smarts, skills, and talents he held, he had a deep and dark side—he had vices. According to some scholars, he preferred beer rather than water and wine. In his stay in Germany, he used to go to a bierbrauerei, a beerhall, twice a week, wherein his friends and him would drink.

Also, in his travels with Maximo Viola, they were known to gulp down beers in hotels. That shows that he viewed sfgsdf Jose Rizal | Page 17

February 2022

hanging out with friends at pubs as an opportunity for him to socialize with different people and his peers, where he can also enhance his skills when it comes to languages.

Besides being an alcoholic, Rizal also had a gambling addiction; he consistently bet on the lotto throughout his lifetime. In Madrid, he and his school friends tend to share lotto tickets most of the time. His letters to his siblings did not only contain his life situations, but they sometimes also had lucky numbers for lotto betting. In 1892, during his exile in Dapitan, he was able to win a sum of money together with his friends, namely, Francisco Equilor and Dapitan’s governor at that time, Ricardo Carnicero.

Lastly, Rizal was the type of guy who knew how to fight.

In his Memorias de un Estudiante, it is written that he had beaten someone older and taller than him, which made him famous amongst his class. When he was older, he had dueled three men, Antonio Luna, Wenceslao Retana, and Juan Lardet. He and Antonio Luna fought because of the woman they were both into, Nellie Boustead. Wenceslao Retana, a Spanish scholar, wrote an article saying that the Mercado family was ejected from their house in Calamba for not paying their rent, which made him angry and challenged this man. Juan Lardet, a Frenchman, accused him of having shady business transactions while in Dapitan, leading to a fight.

Flaws and imperfections are parts of being a human, making them unique and distinguishable from others.

The details mentioned above prove that Rizal was not perfect, nor did he live an ideal life; he was just as human as all people in this world. Being aware of Jose Rizal’s achievements and martyrdom is not enough; knowing his weaknesses is just as crucial as learning his strengths.

Moreover, due to his limitations, people are more able to see his human side, thus, making it easy for them to relate with the hero. Finally, acknowledging the hero’s weaknesses may inspire others to become the better version of themselves; despite having such limitations, Rizal was still able to impact others’ lives and contribute to the country’s liberation.

By Emille Cruz Jose Rizal | Page 18

y n Ka y aa K n ang

Rizal

February 2022

J

ose Rizal is well-known not just among Filipinos but also among people from other countries for his martyrdom and achievements.

Rizal memorials and statues adasd may be seen across the world in his honor.

Furthermore, films have been made on his life as a national hero. However, these films always appear to focus on the positive aspects of life and the dramatic death of the hero. In the year 2000, a film entitled "Bayaning Third World" was released. This film addresses the grey areas of the hero's life—the mysteries and uncovered truths about him.

Bayaning Third World introduced the concept of "kanya-kanyang Rizal," which aided people in understanding and revering Rizal as a hero. The film addressed the hero's grey areas while emphasizing that these should not diminish Rizal's status as a hero since it is evident that he made major contributions to the country. Individuals, however, have a responsibility to perceive, treat, and honor Rizal in the correct manner.

Bayaning 3rd World Poster WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

One way to repay our heroes is to honor and respect them for what they have done for our nation. Rizal was one of our country's great heroes, but we must not forget that there were other heroes who sacrificed their lives for the sake of our country. Limiting ourselves to Rizal and his achievements leads to over-glorification of him since we only see the "perfect hero." But, this should not be the case; it is critical for us Filipinos to acknowledge the hero's flaws, limitations, and errors. Moreover, we must revere other heroes in the same way that we honor Rizal. Each Filipino hero made a difference in history and inspired people in different ways. By doing so, this does not diminish our appreciation for Rizal, but it should make us appreciate our other heroes, all of whom possessed heroic qualities such as courage and patriotism.

There is nothing wrong with having differing views on Jose Rizal; it is inevitable. However, it should be noted that hero-worship should be both critical and historical in order to properly revere a hero. Thus, venerating Rizal in a way that does not exaggerate his achievements and considering him as a human being like us.

By Emile Cruz & Allen Reyes

Jose Rizal | Page 20

February 2022

E

To The Youth

verything we know of Jose Rizal may be superficial— the martyr who wrote two novels that were determinedly preserved, the man who inspired the revolution in the country, and ultimately, the Philippine’s sdadadNational Hero. These contributions of his have granted him a superhero-like view from the masses as if someone all-knowing has sent down a savior to pull Filipinos out of misery. They are not at all wrong, though, but not entirely correct. Jose Rizal is still just a Filipino who had aspirations and hopes for his country, sharing the same sentiments as the other Filipinos in his time.

Yet this “perfect façade” is present up to this date. Not everyone has questioned Rizal and exerted effort into understanding his contributions to the countrymen’s freedom. So, why have we deemed Jose Rizal to be the national hero when we know little to none? A question that should be conscious within ourselves as we continue to hold him to be the country’s hero. With limited knowledge of his works and deeds, we have shallowed his sacrifices in influencing the Filipinos with the sense of nationalism and at the same time uplifted him to such unrealistic standards as a hero.

This is nothing but blind idolization, hence why further studying and venerating Jose Rizal is vital in naming him as one of the national heroes of the Philippines.

Going in-depth with Jose Rizal’s life and works gave more dimension to him being hailed as a national hero. Naturally, there are beliefs of his that made us question, ideologies we do agree with, and decisions that got us confused. Yet this gave us the perspective that Rizal has his own freethinking mind and emotions rooted from his surroundings and experiences, thus helping us understand him better in a rational and humane sense. There is more to him than the martyr hero we see in Rizal, he’s a Filipino, a human, and this is a change of standpoint that Filipinos should partake in.

Where else can we provoke these generations of changes but the youth?

As we continue to pass on Jose Rizal’s legacy for the nation, it is a must that we, young Filipinos, hand down every minute detail of it. Present his human side, his thoughts written on paper, and his life in the context of the historic Spanish colonization. The more Filipinos are aware of his flaws, the more we get to appreciate him as a hero. These glorifications may have instilled in us indolence, thinking how Jose Rizal was, is, and will forever be the only person who can spark change in this country. But at the end of the day, he’s human, and so are we.

Jose Rizal | Page 21

February 2022 But how shall this change take place? Students have been questioning the mandatory lessons for Jose Rizal’s life and works to be taught at the tertiary level, assuming that in college, the subjects must be coursespecific for the program they have chosen. Two years of our high school education were already dedicated to dissecting his two famous novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and some think that it is enough inspiration to spark nationalism within the youth. However, limited knowledge opts for fallacious awareness and advocacy, hence why it is important to widen one’s understanding of our history. This article would like to further support this notion in hopes of encouraging the youth to exert effort in learning more about Jose Rizal.

Why should we take this subject seriously?

Experiencing the life of Rizal in the context of his time.

Going to detail on his travels and the persons he met throughout his existence gives us a better understanding and veneration towards Jose Rizal as a hero. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo may be accurate representations of the harsh Spanish governance that reigned over the Filipinos, but looking through more of his works lets us experience not only the life of a Filipino but his own— his decisions, his way of thinking, and his principles all throughout.

Getting in touch with our roots A lot of us may not be aware of our Indigenous Filipinos, as we are mainly focused on the majority and we lose sight of the minority. Jose Rizal went to search for our pre-colonial past, highlighting the rich culture and traditions we had back in our time. This makes us understand our “pagka-Filipino” and our beliefs, as well as how they got influenced by colonialism over time.

Igniting sincere nationalism Sure, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo gave us intricate details on what our past must have been like. However, living in the shoes of Rizal through his works helped us further learn empathy and sympathy for the Filipinos in his time, as this is something that we cannot experience firsthand. To feel their suffering prompts in us genuineness in advocating for a better Philippines.

Realizing the hero in you It is important to note that Jose Rizal’s name stands with more national heroes of this country, such as Emilio Aguinaldo, Andres Bonifacio, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and many more. Hindi lang iisa ang bayani. All these in-depth lessons, realizations, and new perspectives will surely inspire you to be a hero in your own way.

By Natalie Sta. Maria Jose Rizal | Page 22

QOTD

BONUS FEATURE

QuestionoftheDaywith editorialteam

What comes to mind when you hear the name Jose Rizal?

I used to think of Jose Rizal as a perfect individual since his accomplishments were mostly emphasized in school. However, as someone who had the chance to study Rizal's life and writings, I came to the understanding that the image of Rizal in my mind needed to be reassessed. I was able to recognize both his strengths and weaknesses. Rizal's drive for doing multiple heroic actions sprang from his love for his nation. With this, I feel that everyone, as long as they love their nation, can do what Rizal did.

ALLEN Editor In-Chief, Writer, Editor, Fact-Checker

Dati when I hear Jose Rizal’s name ang naiisip ko agad is he is the country’s national hero kasi that was what we were taught in grade school up to senior high school. Out of all the heroes ng Pilipinas, he is the most known and honored, but nung nag-college na and I got to study his works and life, the way I perceived him changed. Na-realize ko na Rizal was not the perfect human hero na we usually know yung pinoportray sa books and films. But knowing Rizal more did not change my perspective of him in a bad way, rather it made me look up to him and appreciate him more kahit na he is flawed, even if he had his rock bottom, ang dami pa rin niyang nagawa, naambag, and na-achieve.

EMILLE Writer, Editor, Fact-Checker

Jose Rizal | Page 23

Para sa akin, more than a hero, Rizal was a human who happened to be intelligent and determined enough to try to make a change in a society that was actively working against him. Sa panahon ngayon, I think these are important qualities that we should take inspiration from.

ALLAINE Writer, Editor, FactChecker

Isa si Rizal sa mga leading factors na lumaban against the Spanish colonization. Sobra siyang talino at active sa pag-push ng reforms kaya marami siyang nagawa para sa bansa. Kaso lang, dahil sa sobrang sikat niya, nao-overshadow niya yung ibang mga bayani at umoonti yung understanding natin about Rizal mismo dahil napapasobra yung pag-idolize natin sa kanya.

ALIYAH Writer, Editor, Fact-Checker

Ako kasi, I grew up thinking na sobrang perfect o kaya superhero si Rizal since I didn't have any in-depth lessons about him before. I've always seen him as someone above us. Thankfully, that idea was "ripped" from me, I am able to appreciate him all the more kasi tao lang rin si Rizal pero kinaya niyang lumaban para sa bansa. Pakiramdam ko, bilang isang estudyante at kabataan, may kakayahan din akong gawin 'yun kasi tao lang rin ako kagaya ni Jose Rizal.

NATALIE Editorial Designer, Writer, Editor

Jose Rizal | Page 24

References

February 2022