Life and Works of Rizal
Submitted by: Jazel Joy Esteban ABPS 2B
Submitted to: Prof. Joan Ebojo
Activity #1:
1. What are the importance of studying Rizal subject?
To know and comprehend Rizal—not just as a person, but also as a Filipino—requires
effort. Studying the subject of Rizal is one approach to learn about our history and gain
knowledge of the qualities that made Dr. Jose Rizal a hero, such as his bravery and patriotism,
which should be admired and emulated. Rizal has significantly influenced our history in a
number of ways. He spent his entire life fighting to free us from colonizers. He is one of the
great heroes who defended our freedom and liberties. This subject will instruct and assist in
learning about all of his significant contributions to our history, his lifelong commitment to the
cause of our freedom, and the role that his two major works, Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, played in the revolutionary movement. In these two important works, he used pen
and paper, which infuriated the Spaniards and led to his execution. To sum up, learning about
Rizal's life, the life he dedicated to Filipinos and our freedom, learning about his great devotion
for our nation, and learning from his incredible works that helped us Filipinos win our
independence from the Spaniards are all key reasons to study the subject.
2. Do you think studying the Rizal subject still relevant today?why?
Many of us in today's generation no longer know Rizal, or we may only have a passing
familiarity with his background—for example, that he is hailed as the national hero of the
Philippines—but many also are unaware of his life and accomplishments. We can assert that
people no longer remember or reflect on past events because it has been a long time since those
events occurred, or because they are uninterested in learning about our history and the people
who have had a significant impact on and contributed to it. Thus, having a course that can
educate us about Rizal's life and all of his significant contributions to our history is incredibly
helpful, especially for us students who are trying to learn from our great hero. Even though it has
been a long time since his passing, Rizal is still a topic worth discussing and something we can
all benefit from.
3. Is there a law declared Jose Rizal as national hero?
I was taught and believed for many years that Dr. Jose Rizal was our national hero, and
perhaps many of us did as well. But months ago, after viewing a video documentary that said
"Rizal is a fake national hero," I conducted my own study and discovered that one must be
declared a national hero by the legislation. Contrary to what I had previously believed, Rizal was
never named the National Hero of the Philippines since, up until today, no law had been passed
designating any historical figure from the Philippines as a national hero. It also implies that Rizal
is not recognized as a national hero by law. However, he was hailed as a national hero as a result
of his wonderful traits and accomplishments.
4. What are the Criteria of a National Hero?
Reference: https://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/selection-and-proclamation-
of-national-heroes-and-laws-honoring-filipino-historical-figures/
No law, executive order, or proclamation has been enacted or issued officially proclaiming
any Filipino historical figure as a national hero. However, because of their significant roles in the
process of nation-building and contributions to history, there were laws enacted and
proclamations issued honoring these heroes.
Criteria for National Heroes
(Adopted by the Technical Committee of the National Heroes Committee on June 3,
1993, Manila. Members of the Committee included Drs. Onofre D. Corpuz, Samuel K.
Tan, Marcelino Foronda, Alfredo Lagmay, Bernardita R. Churchill, Serafin D. Quiason,
Ambeth Ocampo, then known as Dom Ignacio Maria, Prof. Minerva Gonzales and Mrs.
Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil)
1. Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the
nation’s freedom. Our own struggle for freedom was begun by Bonifacio and finished by
Aguinaldo, the latter formally declaring the revolution’s success. In reality, however, a
revolution has no end. Revolutions are only the beginning. One cannot aspire to be free
only to sink back into bondage.
2. Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system or life of freedom and order for a
nation. Freedom without order will only lead to anarchy. Therefore, heroes are those who
make the nation’s constitution and laws, such as Mabini and Recto. To the latter,
constitutions are only the beginning, for it is the people living under the constitution that
truly constitute a nation.
3. Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation. (As defined
by Dr. Onofre D. Corpuz)
Additional Criteria for Heroes
(Adopted by the Technical Committee of the National Heroes Committee on November 15,
1995, Manila)
1. A hero is part of the people’s expression. But the process of a people’s internalization of a
hero’s life and works takes time, with the youth forming a part of the internalization.
2. A hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations.
3. The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in history, but of
the entire process that made this particular person a hero. (As defined by Dr. Alfredo Lagmay)
