Arguably the most recognizable figure in all of Philippine history, Dr. Jose Rizal’s brief yet remarkable life has since become of great renown and continues to be celebrated all over the world, both by Filipinos and foreigners alike. Historians have extensively studied him, and for generations now, his life and works form part of high school and collegiate level curricula, not to mention several aspects of his life being discussed and even debated to this day.
At this point, much has already been said of our national hero and how he was instrumental in shaping our nation. His novels, poems, articles, and even letters encapsulate his philosophy, political ideology, and vision of what the Philippines could be and what the Filipino people ought to aspire to become. Conversely, much remains to be unknown, as history usually does tend to leave us asking and wondering.
But a brief examination of Rizal as a person, and based on the things we already know, such as the works he left us with, the speeches he gave, and the decisions he made in his life, his teachings may quickly be summed into the following.
Love your country unconditionally
Up until Rizal’s time, the Philippines had virtually no national identity, as it was a mere colony of Spain for more than 300 hundred years, and not much is known of the islands prior to the arrival of the Spaniards. Yet Rizal spoke and wrote of the Philippines as though it was a country of its own, as though its people had a united identity. Having a country of our own was almost unheard of at the time. What Indios only knew then were total submission to the authority of the friars and to the Spanish Crown, as it had always been for centuries before them.
Perhaps it was Rizal’s exposure to the world that contributed to this mindset, as he traveled different countries at a young age and met different people and saw how their governments treated them.
It was in a letter he wrote in Hongkong in 1892 where he acknowledges the dangers he faces if he returns to the Philippines, and at the same time expresses his love for the country and duty to fight for her. His parting words there read: “I have always loved my poor country and I am sure that I shall love her until my last moment, should men prove unjust to me. I shall die happy, satisfied with the thought that all I have suffered, my past, my present, and my future, my life, my loves, my joys, everything, I have sacrificed for love of her. Whatever my fate may be, I shall die blessing her and wishing her the dawn of her redemption.”
Education is necessary for progress
A letter of Rizal in 1889 addressed to the women of Malolos reads: “The country should not expect honor and prosperity so long as the education of the children is defective.”
While it is true that Rizal came from a well-off family and had the opportunity to study in university and abroad, it still does not change the fact how much of a genius he truly was. At a young age, Rizal and his siblings were raised to value the importance of education. Later as he was growing up, however, his mother warned that he may know too much, which could pose a threat against the friars. Yet the polymath that was Rizal did not stop learning. He obtained a bachelor’s degree at a young age and continued his studies abroad.
His holding of education to prime importance is also illustrated in Noli Me Tangere, as its protagonist Ibarra’s attempts of building a school being thwarted could be interpreted as the Spanish Government being threatened by an educated people.
Speak your mind
For most of Rizal’s life, he fearlessly spoke and wrote what he believed in. He never stopped writing about the hypocrisy and cruelty of the friars, even when he was asked by the Government to recant his statements. He was a threat to the Government as he is noted to have inspired several revolutionaries to take up arms against the Spanish Regime despite Rizal being a reformist and consistently rejecting armed conflict.
Abroad, he enjoyed his freedom of expression and of the press. But back home, anyone caught in the possession of his works were in danger of being dubbed as subversives. Still, he only grew in popularity. He never stopped as he knew it was his duty not to stop.
Stand your ground
Rizal was uncompromising. He once wrote to Jose Ma. Basa in 1889: “Filipinos could serve the country more if they were in the Philippines… To serve our country, there is nothing like staying in it,” despite knowing he would be in danger if he returns to the Philippines. He would later be exiled, and soon after, imprisoned and sentenced to die by firing squad.
Up until the final moments of his life, the Governor General was trying to have him recant his anti-Government works. Yet Rizal refused to be silenced. He was even offered to be escaped from imprisonment by Bonifacio but he refused the heed of the rebels. To the end, he never changed his views, and to the end he remained hopeful that enough Filipinos would one day demand their freedom from their oppressors through lawful means.
Our actions today affect the people of tomorrow
In many of his works, Rizal writes as though directly addressing future generations. His optimism towards the youth is well documented, as if writing to advise and to warn the young of the mistakes of the past. As mentioned, he underlines the value of education and love of country. His works detail the fascism of his time.
While this may be interpreted as Rizal warning us that society that doesn’t change is doomed to live the same fate until it learns to evolve. But at the same time, it may be telling of Rizal the person, that although he comes from a wealthy family and can live his life ordinarily without concerning himself with the oppression of others, he chose to fight for the Philippines as a whole and saw it as a duty which he wholeheartedly accepted.
Reference:
Rizal, Jose. 1959. One Hundred Letters of José Rizal to His Parents, Brother, Sisters, Relatives. Philippine National Historical Commission