Veneration Without Understanding

It has always been argued whether or not Rizal deserved to be the hero of the Filipino nation. He has always been compared to the might of Bonifacio, who got up on his feet and fought the Spaniards. Here, he was also compared to Mabini, whom Renato Constantino referred to as an unregenerate. This work pointed out a lot of Rizal’s good traits and contributions to the nation. In fact, it mentioned a lot of what he did. However, Constantino kept on putting ‘buts’ after one thing Rizal has done. Was he seeking total action or just complaining about what Rizal contributed? I think by the mere fact that he can mention good things about the hero, it makes Rizal who he is. Regardless of how things ended up, I think the spark Rizal ignited was enough to start something that the Filipinos did to fight for the country.
Contantino said on this writing that “Rizal never advocated independence … He urged reform…”. Maybe Rizal wanted to change the way the Philippines was led because he understands the system more than anyone does. He went all around the world and saw how the other parts of the globe are being run. “…true Filipino be one who is consciously striving for decolonization and independence.” This line contradicts it, but can’t someone be considered a Filipino if he wanted what’s best for his countrymen?
“He is a hero in the sense that he was able to see the problems … discern the new social needs … and take an active part in meeting these needs. But he is not a hero in the sense that he could have stopped and altered the course of events.” How is someone expected to alter the course of events when he’s also under the governance of the Spaniards? Doesn’t that put anyone in danger? I’d like to think that Rizal did just enough to fight back, and to fight for the nation. Rizal was placed on the pedestal by the Americans. Constantino highlighted that it was a safe play by the Americans to hide whatever stain they inflict in the Philippines. Rizal was not around anymore, anointing a hero that still lives during their time might expose their wrong doings. While this may be true, I do believe that the Americas wouldn’t choose just anybody who didn’t even contribute anything significant to the country. Setting aside their motives, they knew so well what a good example Rizal would be to the Filipinos. I think many would agree that even though Rizal did not really lead the revolution, he took a large part on how it started. He didn’t want the Filipinos to fight the Spaniards through war because he knew we were unprepared. He didn’t want us to suffer. But still, he fought on what he thought he could do best, writing. He may have denied it in the end but it will never be a hidden fact that the things he wrote contributed to how we achieved independence.