CHAPTER'4 THE STUDY OF RIAL Historical—Critical Approach Taking up Rizal course for credits, like reading Shakespeare to get by in English courses, can be tiresome pasiness for the youth. Ifreading and discussing the texts cannot be fun byt boring, Rizal will be nothing more than a label for beds, matches, cements, and corporations.* Rizal: Human and Hero “There's much more to the hero and martyr than an object of reverence or a handy tool for inane speeches and orations. His works must be reflected on not simply because it is a solemn duty but mainly because they are relévant to our time and place.”* “Reverence without understanding is for deities, not flesh and blood heroes like Rizal, Hero-worship must be both historical and critical.”® We must always be conscious of the historical conditions and circumstances that made an individual a hero, and we must always be ready to admit at what point that hero’s applicability ceases to be of current value. We must view Rizal:as an evolving personality within an evolving historical period. It is a reflection of our lack of creative thinking that we continue to invoke Rizal when we discuss specific problems and present-day society. We are living in anage of anti-colonial revolutions different in content from those of Rizal’s period. Rizal could not-have anticipated the problems of today. He was not conversant with economic tools of analysis that would unravel the intricate techniques that today are being used by outside forces to consign us to a state of continued poverty. The revolutions of today would be beyond the understanding of Rizal whose Castilian orientation necessarily limited his horizon even for that period. : | 1 Adrian Cristobal, “Redacting Rizal,” Manila Bulletin, December 05, 2004. ; : Ibid. i hey we Me 3 Ambeth Ocampo’s modification of Renato Constantino’s Veneration without Understanding. 1969. iv ifr a ‘Seannad ith CamScaner i" i 'Rizal was capable of unraveling the myths that were by the oppressors of his time, but he would have beet at a loss see through the more sophisticated myths and ‘to recognize subtle techniques of present-day colonialists, given the state othe knowledge and experience at that time, This is not to Say that y, te he alive today and subject to modern experiences, he would ere understand the means of our times, But it is useless SPeCUlation ty Woy, try to divine what he would now advocate, Many of his social criticisms are Still valid today because Certy: aspects of our life are still carTYy-overs of the feudal and cts society of his time. A true appreciation of Rizal wow nial we study these social criti t Id requir, . e cisms and take steps to eradicate evils he decried, he To be able to appreciate a hero for that matter, to learn more about him—not merely his acts bi behind his acts, his reasons, as well as his motivations, H We must be able ; ut the thoughts the situations he found himse} fin, owever it has been observed that a studying Rizal, Filipinos seem to portray him aS somewhat of . god. “If Rizal is treated like God, he becomes unattainable and hi, accomplishments inhuman.” n an. Thus only when we realize that he-was like us will we realize, too, that his deeds are great but not impossible for us to imitate. Itis only when we realize his humanity will we be truly inspired by his heroism. ° The Patriotic Objectives of the Rizal Law Republic Act 1425, commonly known as the Rizal Law and authored by Senator Claro M. Recto, was signed by the president on June 12,.1956. The passing of the Rizal Law gave rise to te implementation of the Rizal course as'a requirement for gaia in all nondegree and degree courses in the tertiary at requires the curricula of private and public schools, college chose universities to include courses on the life, works, and ee coma Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangereand El Fili i ea According to the Official Gazette, the law was made el . August 16, 1956. 7 — —_——— ‘Seannad ith Camscanner. Theewsdy of Rizal: Historical-Critical Approgey B Particulaly the Riz, 1 f , & recognize th, maar aime i And life.vatios (ov tNCe of Rizal’s Meals, thoughts, teachings, the “eS tO roger conditions in the community and Ue Country ang me can lution to day-to. situatio, ®Pply them in the solutio ny-torday devel mon Problems of contemporary life é evelop an Understang: reciation of the qualities, behavior, and cha act's oe well as his thoughts and i as and thas fostey the development of moral character, personal discipline, Citizenship, and vocational efficiency ¢ comply with the Patriotic objectives of the Rizal Law given by the late Senator Joss p, Laurel “Rizal was the founder of the Filipino nationality. He was the architect of the Filiping Nation ., | dare say that we cannot know him without knowing ang imbibing the great principles and ideals for which he.stood and died. Risa believed as we should that we teach the young men and the young women, the boys and girls in all schools that Virtue is the Only foundation of national greatness.* “By Approving this Measure... it is hoped that the future generations and the Senerations after us by reading the life, teachings, and writings of Rizal may gain incorruptible confidence, direction, courage, and determination in order that we may continue forward our never-ending pilgrimage to a full, greater and more abundant life.” t t Gt ” Z 7 Hi fue Rizal: An Example of Sacrifice’ jaca B Our national hero was a.man of peace with a vision. He could have enjoyed the fruits of his family’s abundance and spent the _ remaining days of his life rubbing elbows with the governing | 3] Spanish officials and the new enlightened Filipino dlustrados t. which he belonged, but he dared to be different. The amazing thing about the man was that he chose not. to take up the gun against the oppressive Spanish government and _ the Dominican friars. Instead he worked through peaceful means — of reforms to seek equality for his people under Spanish laws. att 4 al ‘Seannad ith CamscannerRizal suffered as much as his countrymen, He sojourned d traveled from country to country while preparin, hi, fovels—the Noli and the Fili—which gave the world its fre inane into conditions in the Philippines. He was the first Asian tober in the West. He was the spark that gave birth to Philippine pe for one’s country and people. All during this time he bun, be back home and when he retumed, knowing fully well that he na longer held his life in his hands, he returned joyous! of his birth. 'y tothe tang His sufferings were compounded by the fact that his Parents brothers, and sisters had been persecuted by the Spanish government, Some of them, particularly his mother, were even Jailed for « time. Yet all he wanted for his people was that they educate i so that they could stand as free men and face the world with held ‘high, All he wanted from them was that they remember him even for a moment for the work he did for them. Ina letter to his good friend Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, he gaid- “Whatever our condition might be then, let us love our coun always and let us wish nothing but her welfare. Thus we shall labor in conformity with the purpose of humanity dictated by God which is the harmony and universal peace of His creatures,” If the Filipino today holds freedom in his hands and governs his own country, he owes all this and much more to Jose Rizal who aptly said: 7 mad , “The glory of saving a country is not for him who has contributed to its ruin. Hate’‘never produces anything but monsters and criminals.” : ar Rizal’s Ideas: A Reply to the Challenges of Our Millennium* Jose Rizal is indeed preeminent among the national heroes of the Philippines and is thus revered by the Filipino nation primarily because of his virtues of character which exemplify honesty, personal integrity, patriotism and civie responsibility, willingness to sacrifice for the cause of his native land, high sense of justice and family solidarity, and the loftiest standard of truth with which he pursued the nobility of his cause to found and foster Filipino nationhood. ‘Seannad ith Camscanner5 zal: Historlcal-Critk The study fF cal Approach [ Above all, hi i 5 a His Preeminena ved from the very fact that he validated all his ros Hed in bi waited aN neil an embodied in his noblest healed accepting the ulti is avowal of love of coun ty mouth but manifested }, and hero . 7 u = iom in the tragic fie] Bagumbayan, now the Lite: ee mer 30,1896, js 4, on Det Rizal the man, stands Among those few who are companion to no particular epoch or Continent, who belong to the world, and whose lives have 4 Universal meg, ve. His field of action lay in the strife of polities and power, bite thes r were not to his inclination. He shouldered his Political burden solely, & circumstance rendering him one of those figures rare in human affairs, a revolutionary without hatred, and a leader Without worldly ambition. Where his true inclination lay is finely denionstrated in his life by the fact that his works in science, history, and literature, and his profession asan ophthalmic sturgeon, share a single, identical aim—to shed © illumination and give sight to the blind. j “These, basic virtues of Rizal indi ntly the reason and See ae indicate cogently : validity of a grateful nation acelaiming him the foremost national hero. Even as a boy.of eight, Rizal already nurtured with deep affection the very concept of a Philippines as @ distinct national identity. Even as then, when he wrote his first poem in Tagalog gutted Sa ‘Alcing mga Kabata,’ he already evinced a consciousness of err nD guaes, ae 4 Vital element in the very conception itself of Philippine nationhood.” i Will Rizal’s exemplified virtues of honesty, personal integrity, social unity, peace, justice, family solidarity, civic responsibility, patriotism, and national dignity for his people survive and endure in this new millennium? Our reply to this question will take a measure of our confidence and faith in the goals and guidance set in the heroism and civic sacrifice of Rizal, the values distilled in the calm example of his virtues and in the very ideals and aspirations that he nurtured for his people, for which he demonstrated his full commitment with his death. - : Tn this millennium, it is not outlandish to predict those basic values of human honor and dignity, the sate aspirations for freedom Civie yirtuess f ae ite les by consciously and clear. tats Pp Mifice of death. In other words, sacr” gism was hot mere word of ‘Seannad vith Camscannerand independence of peoples feriel ete: the same n for mutual respect and materia well-being. In brief; the values and virtues embodied in the spirit of Rizalism will fe on the core of humanity's aspirations degnite adjustments that aa be accommodated by the neW Teality of evolved technolo Must scientific advances far superior than the ‘dgein the ae 1 atural desir, knowle millennium. Rizal: A Modern-Day Hero” A Victorian hero is our usual portrait of Rizal, presented in textbooks as the oriental knight in shi prudent, dashing, and cool under Pressure. According to Nick Joaquin, Rizal was great; i : 1 k LY ageri his physique. When Rizal wwas young, he was always feared hi sisters because of his frail body and often described ag q very ti x child with a disproportionately big-head that he carried even in his adulthood. } ” He is Usually ming armor— When the young Rizal was in the early stages of adolescence he strove to erase his puny image. He became interested in body. building and athletics, but his feelings of inferiority had-made an indelible mark on his soul: Rizal was forever haunted by a'sense of inadequacy which explains his inability to sustain relationships with women and great dread for responsibility. - Rizal's inferiority complexes were not without: positive side, | however. It is his feelings of inadequacy that’made him dynamic and he continually looked for ways. to be better than others. Jose _ Rizal's dynamism was what made hima jack of many-talents anda | master of many trades, What he lacked in physique he compensated | by excelling in many fields such as science, art, and literature, | “among many others. Because of his insecurities, Rizal strove to overcome himself and rise above the others. Rizal's determination to excel in as many fields as possible was i to show the world that he was capable, that he was as tall as the nest | man. He proved he was very much taller by rising above himself { If he had been born of normal height and with normal Eapaciioa he might have led a normal life, might have accepted the weride he found it and adjusted himself to it. And the nation would Jost a hero. | ‘Seannadith CamscanerTho Study of Rizal: Historleat-Critical Approaph L. ui Today, more tha ’ ’ n Any oth ‘od of our history, “there is @ icati of our history, ; peed, for a rededication tg the; - brine dom and nationalism for our heroes who lived and dieg, ihn oO way our heroes, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jo, ono! es roeaigmber with spacial fondness and devotion thoj, 7. 82 Rizal, we reme " : itings of Jose Rizal, _ particularly his novels, Nols yest: and Wai Furibusterisms, are ‘a constant and inspiring source Sboe i otism of the youth, especially during their formative and decisiy, e years in school.” Inthis book we must learn Rizal as a modern man who conquered his inferiorities. Rizal became a hero because he responded to the challenge of conquering himself and he succeeded. In the end, he was finally able to accept a Breat responsibility—he gave his own life for his country. From a Weak, frail child, Jose Rizal rose to become one of the tallest. men in history. :The Study of Rizal: Historical-Critical Name: ; course/e8r/Secton, EXERCISE 1.4 a Construct, five sentences that are persuasive in justifying the importance of studying Ri. j ded based on the © riebelow. ig ‘zal, You will be grade: +4 T4-45 Exceltent., 11-13 Above Average 8-10 Average” 5-7 Below Average _ * Level of Persuasiveness: “ot 3 Highly Persuasive (The statement Is applicable at all times.) : 2 Moderately Persuasive (The statement is applicable sometimes but not always.) . ' 41 Not Persuasive (The statement is not applicable at all.) ‘Seannadith CamcanerEXERCISE 1.2 Match the quotations in column, B. Some quotations come from the g; your answer on the line. __ 10. A . Rizal's physical abnormality contributed to his heroism. . Rizal was the founder of the Filipino nationality. . Rizal must be viewed historically. . Rizal is not simply an object of reverence. . Rizal is a modern-day hero. Rizal's ideas are” responses to the challenges of the new » millennium. , Hate never produces anything but monsters and criminals. . If Rizal is treated like God, he becomes ° unattainable. . Reverence without understanding is for deitiés. . Rizal was the architect of the Filipino nation. Awith the oe ‘ame writer, W, Fem e Bess iters in eg) rite the letter Adrian Cristobal Edmundo Libiq Jose Laurel Jose Rizal Ambeth Ocampo Cornelius Mondoy Nick Joaquin Renato Constantino » Ferdinand Blumentritt Andres Bonifacio ‘Seannad ith Camscanner