Rizal as the Philippine National Hero?

     The Philippine National Hero, whom I believe does not fit the title, was a Mason. Yes, I do not believe in him being the country's national hero, although he is a member of the Freemasonry. 

     I remember our discussion in my Philippine history class wherein it was debated whether or not he deserved such title. I learned that he was just chosen by the American government then to be our national hero. The reason being is the fact that he fought for our country's freedom against the Spanish regime using his intelligence- he published progressive books that agitated and liberated Filipinos. He used nothing but his pens and his creative mind. He was not like Andres Bonifacio who fought using Bolos and encouraged force to be used by the Filipinos. Bonifacio fought for our freedom. This is contrary to the issue that Rizal was the prime mover of the revolution, because while Rizal was writing his books, the Katipunan is already being formed, according to my history professor who earned his Masters degree in history in the U.P. He was chosen by the American government to be the emblem of heroism in the Philippines because they want the representative of the country to be not as radical as Bonifacio, or any other her who literally fought for our freedom. I believe that they wanted to have a passive type of hero, who represents the country.

    I have nothing against Rizal's way of fighting for our freedom, but I believe someone else deserves the title more than him. Anyway, this death anniversary represents the tragic point in the Philippine history wherein the one who published progressive books, and the one who womanized a lot of girls during his time, was shot at the Luneta Park.  He will always have the title as the Philippine's National Hero and will always represent the type of Philippine heroism imposed by the Americans. 

       To lessen the bitterness to Rizal, one of the few things I appreciate that he did for the country is the fact that he was the prime mover for us having Alibata as our formal written language. Yes, he was also an intelligent physician and author, and also a womanizer. 

     Photos shown below are some of the scenes during the Wreath Laying Ceremony at Dad Rizal's Monument at the Dagupan City Plaza. Yes, you may find it ironic that I who is non-believer of Rizal offered flowers to him, well, I still respect him anyway. He is still a Mason, and he still contributed something for the democracy of Filipinos in a way he only knew. 

    

Brethren with the Pangasinan Chapter Advisory Council

Photo courtesy of Dad Darius Garcia. Can be retrieved at his Facebook photo album.

Used here non-commercially. No copyright infringement intended. 

With my fellow elected officials of the Pangasinan Chapter

Photo courtesy of Dad Darius Garcia. Can be retrieved at his Facebook photo album.

Used here non-commercially. No copyright infringement intended.