Yes, I agree why?
I’ve encountered this question several times now. Even when I’m still starting on school (Elementary) there are already a handful of debate about Jose Rizal being the national hero.
Some says that there are people far more deserving for the title. Just like how people argue that Andres Bonifacio is a better hero than Rizal, but first let’s ask ourselves what is a hero?
A hero is someone who is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage or strength. We all know that we have several heroes including the present time.
So what’s different with Jose Rizal, why is he the National hero? Even with the vast list of choices why is it that he was chosen? Let’s take a trip down memory lane in our History classes.
Even on our early age when we still are not going to school we often see Jose Rizal’s face in our Philippine coin which is why we ask “Who is that man?” and we are answered by our parents or any Adult that the man is our hero the National Hero, but where did his battle even start? When the word “Hero” is mentioned we visualize a man drenched in blood, covered in armor with swords or gun in his hands screaming in victory for freeing his people in a war however that doesn't apply to Jose Rizal. Philippines was invaded by the Spaniards which results to slavery, corrupt and conflict. Tired of seeing his fellow Filipino people suffer Jose Rizal started writing his novels. We are familiar with Noli Me Tangere (Touch me not) which talks about the colonization of the Philippines by Spain to describe perceived inequities of the Spanish Catholic friars and the ruling government followed by El Filibusterismo (The reign of greed) which is the sequel to Noli Me Tángere and, like the first book, was written in Spanish. Jose Rizal’s novels caused an awakening to his people. It was the driving tool to make our ancestors act and fight for our freedom it has a huge impact so much that it was later on banned and he eventually got arrested. Jose Rizal was then shot dead.
He is a very good example of "The pen is mightier than the sword" which is a metonymic adage.
That is why I agree of him being the National hero, because without him and his works there will be no revolutionary. We wont be able to stand on our own feet, there will be no freedom that we are enjoying right now. He is the key that freed us all.
