| His name can be found in almost all corners of the | | | | During this time, the concept of “Filipino” |
| Philippines. Roads, schools and even a province are | | | | was taking shape among the inhabitants of the |
| named after him. His image can be found in peso | | | | islands. Before, society was divided among |
| bills and coins. Monuments are erected in his name | | | | Spanish citizens and indios (locals). Some began to |
| (foremost of this can be found in Rizal Park in | | | | form nationalistic ideas. Rizal’s two novels |
| Manila). These are manifestations of the | | | | inspired locals to call not for Spanish government |
| country’s reverence accorded to Jose Rizal | | | | reforms but for independence from Spain. |
| as a national hero. | | | | This alarmed the Spanish colonial government. In |
| Why is Rizal a national hero? What are his | | | | 1896, Rizal was executed in Bagumbayan (Rizal |
| contributions to Philippine history that makes him | | | | Park) on charges of sedition and treason. The |
| preeminent among other Filipino heroes? Here are | | | | execution did not prevent the calls for |
| some of the reasons Rizal is a national hero of | | | | independence to stop. The Katipunan led a full |
| the Philippines. | | | | scale revolutionary war against the Spanish colonial |
| In late 19th Century, Rizal became the voice of a | | | | government. |
| people long oppressed by centuries-old Spanish | | | | Although Rizal did not push for independence, his |
| rule. As an educated man, he was exposed to | | | | writings and execution inspired many to revolt |
| some of the abuses by Spanish friars and | | | | against Spain. This is the primary reason Jose Rizal |
| government officials. As a founder and member | | | | is a national hero. He instilled the sense of |
| of the La Liga Filipina, he originally pushed for | | | | nationalism among citizens oppressed by |
| reforms of Spanish colonial rule. | | | | centuries-old Spanish rule. |
| He wrote Noli Me Tangere and El Felibusterismo. | | | | Rizal did not advocate for armed struggle. He is |
| Although fictional, the novels described the abuses | | | | the epitome of the saying “The pen is |
| committed by Spanish officials against the locals. | | | | mightier than the sword.” He was also a |
| Alarmed over the threat posed by the two | | | | learned man who pushed for the emancipation of |
| novels, angry Spanish officials pushed for | | | | the people through education. He advocated for |
| Rizal’s arrest and exile in Dapitan. | | | | equal rights be accorded to locals and not just |
| While exiled in Dapitan, Rizal devoted himself to | | | | limited to Spanish colonials. And finally, he was a |
| improving the conditions of people in Dapitan. | | | | martyr that stood for his beliefs. |