JOSE RIZAL AND PHILIPPINE

NATIONALISM: National
Symbol
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Examine the values highlighted by the various
representations of Rizal as a national symbol.
2. Advocate the values Rizal’s life encapsulates.

146 The Life and Works of Jose Rizal Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism: National Symbol
11 JOSE RIZAL AND PHILIPPINE NATIONALISM: NATIONAL SYMBOL
Symbols are representations of many things. When people see a particular
symbol, they associate it with something meaningful or standard. Let us see how well
you know the national symbols of the Philippines. Identify what is being asked for in
each item. Write the correct answer on the blank.
_____________________________1. National flower
_____________________________2. National anthem
_____________________________3. National tree
_____________________________4. National bird
_____________________________5. National gem
_____________________________6. National sports
_____________________________7. National leaf
_____________________________8. National fruit
_____________________________9. National animal
_____________________________10. National house
_____________________________11. National fish
_____________________________12. National hero
_____________________________13. National dance
_____________________________14. National costume
_____________________________15. National slippers
According to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA),
official national symbols of the Philippines represent the country’s traditions and
ideals and convey the principles of Philippine sovereignty and national solidarity.
Some of these symbols are stated in the Flag and Heraldic Code of the
Philippines, which is also known as Republic Act 8491. The national language of the
Philippines is Filipino as stated in the Constitution of the Philippines. Aside from
those stated symbols in the Constitution and in Republic Act 8491, there are only
five official national symbols of the Philippines enacted through law,
namely 1) sampaguita as national flower, 2) narra as national tree,
3) the Philippine eagle as national bird, 4) Philippine pearl as national gem
and 5) arnis as national sport.
There are symbols such as the carabao (national animal), mango (national
fruit) and anahaw (national leaf) that are widely known as national symbols but
have no laws recognizing them as official national symbols. Even Jose Rizal, who is
widely considered as a national hero, has not been declared officially as a
national hero in any existing Philippine law according to historical experts. Although
in 2003, Benigno Aquino, Jr. was officially declared by the President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo as a national hero by an executive order. On the other hand,
a National Artist of the Philippines is a rank or a title given to a Filipino citizen in
recognition to the recipient's contributions to Philippine arts and letters and they

147 The Life and Works of Jose Rizal Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism: National Symbol
are not considered as a national symbol that represents traditions and ideals.
On February 17, 2014, Bohol First District Representative Rene
Relampagos filed a bill at the Philippine House of Representatives that seeks to
declare or re-declare and to recognize a number of national symbols. The
proposed bill, House Bill 3926 or the "Philippine National Symbols Act of 2014", aims
also to encourage nationalism and unity; to guarantee respect, preservation and
promotion of national symbols; and to correct the "unofficial" status of the
symbols. Among the proposed national symbols listed in the measure are Jose Rizal
as the only historical Filipino to be recognized as national hero, adobo as national
food and jeepney as national vehicle. It also includes the previously mentioned
national symbols.
During the Commonwealth Era in 1934, it was Governor-General Frank Murphy
who declared sampaguita and narra as national flower and national tree,
respectively, through Proclamation No. 652. Philippine President Fidel
Ramos proclaimed the Philippine eagle as the national bird in 1995 through
Proclamation No. 615. Ramos also declared the South Sea Pearl or Philippine Pearl
as the national gem in 1996 through Proclamation No. 905. In 2009,
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared arnis as the national sport and
martial art through Republic Act 9850.
In February 2013, the Philippine Senate passed a bill declaring waling-waling
(Vanda sanderiana) as the national flower alongside sampaguita. A similar bill in
the House of Representatives had already been passed in 2012. Normally, the bill
would become law after being signed by the President however, it was vetoed by
President Benigno Aquino III. The veto has left the waling-waling as an unofficial
national symbol.

MAKING A NATIONAL SYMBOL OFFICIAL

A Philippine national symbol will be considered official once it is declared
through a law or a proclamation. National symbols such as the cariñosa, carabao,
bangus (milkfish), and anahaw (footstool palm) that are circulating through various
sources have no official status and have not established by law. According to
Nestor Castro, a Filipino cultural anthropologist, most of these unofficial symbols
were passed on as tradition in schools every start of the school year when students
were asked to buy posters containing the supposed national symbols. While official
national symbols are declared through law, Castro and National Historical
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Section Chief Teodoro Atienza
considered that the public must be consulted first before declaration of national
symbol.

FILIPINOS AS NATIONAL SYMBOL

According to the NHCP Section Chief Teodoro Atienza, and Filipino
historian Ambeth Ocampo, there is no Filipino historical figure officially declared
national hero through law or executive order, although there were laws and
proclamations honoring Filipino heroes. In the Rizal Law principally sponsored
by Claro M. Recto and enacted in 1956, Jose Rizal is mentioned as a national
hero in the "whereas" clause of the law. Although, "whereas" clauses function as
a preamble or introduction and it is not part of the provisions. On November 15,
1995, the Technical Committee of the National Heroes Committee, created through
Executive Order No. 5 by former President Fidel Ramos, recommended nine Filipino
historical figures to be National Heroes: Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio

148 The Life and Works of Jose Rizal Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism: National Symbol
Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat, Juan
Luna, Melchora Aquino, and Gabriela Silang. No action has been taken for these
recommended National Heroes until it was revisited in one of the proceedings of
the 14th Congress in 2009.
On 3 August 2009, shortly after the death of former President Corazon
Aquino, widow of Benigno Aquino, Jr., legislative measures have been filed calling
for her official recognition as a national hero. Congresswoman Liwayway
Vinzons-Chato filed a house resolution declaring Corazon Aquino a national
hero. Although, a week after she filed the resolution, she realized that there is no
Filipino historical figure declared through law. On August 10, 2009, she cited on
her privilege speech in Congress the nine Filipino heroes recommended by National
Heroes Committee in 1995. She then urge the Congress to sign the resolutions
declaring the nine Filipinos recommended by the National Heroes Committee plus
Benigno Aquino, Jr. and Corazon Aquino as national heroes. Congressman
Salvador Escudero interpellated Vinzons-Chato's speech and stated that heroes
are made in the hearts and minds of people and not through legislation. After the
interpellation, it was moved by House of Representatives to refer the privilege
speech of Vinzons-Chato to the Committee of Basic Education and Culture. Up to
now, these resolutions have not been acted upon.
As mentioned earlier, in a measure filed by Congressman Relampagos from
Bohol in February 2014, he sought to declare Jose Rizal as the sole Filipino
national hero. According to the bill, he was a nationalist and well known for his
Philippine reforms advocacy during the Spanish colonial era.

RIZAL AS A NATIONAL SYMBOL

It was shown in the previous lesson how Rizal was recognized as our national
hero. Granting that he belongs to the unofficial national symbols, it cannot be de-
nied that Rizal’s name and memory have long been representing the principles of
sovereignty and national solidarity, symbolizing our country.
Even in the international arena, Rizal’s name elicits the name of our country. In
places where he had been and where his books [and the books about him] are
found in foreign libraries, the name Philippines is necessarily indicated. Indeed, Ri-
zal is unquestionably the greatest hero and martyr of our nation. Borrowing the
words of De Ocampo:
“The day of his birth and the day of his execution are fittingly commemorated by all
classes of our people throughout the length and breadth of this country and even by
Filipinos and their friends abroad. His name is a byword in every Filipino home while his
picture adorns the postage stamp and paper money of widest circulation. No other
Filipino hero can surpass Rizal in the number of towns, barrios, and streets named after
him; in the number of educational institutions, societies, and trade names that bear his
name; in the number of persons, both Filipinos and foreigners, who were named "Rizal"
or "Rizalina" because of their parents’ admiration for the Great Malayan; and in the
number of laws, Executive Orders and Proclamations of the Chief Executive, and
bulletins, memoranda, and circulars of both the bureaus of public and private schools.
Who is the Filipino writer and thinker whose teachings and noble thoughts have been
frequently invoked and quoted by authors and public speakers on almost all occasions?
None but Rizal. And why is this so? Because as biographer Rafael Palma said, "The
doctrines of Rizal are not for one epoch but for all epochs. They are as valid today as they
were yesterday. It cannot be said that because the political ideals of Rizal have been

149 The Life and Works of Jose Rizal Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism: National Symbol
achieved, because of the change in the institutions, the wisdom of his counsels or the
value of his doctrines have ceased to be opportune. They have not."

VALUES DERIVED FROM RIZAL’S LIFE

From the various representations of Rizal as a national symbol, one may learn
significant ideals and principles that may be of good use in everyday life. By
studying Rizal’s life and works, the following values may be captured (as adopted
from Mañebog et. Al, 2018):

1. Nationalism and Patriotism

Nationalism involves the desire to attain freedom and political independence,
especially by a country under a foreign power. Jose Rizal’s life, works and writings,
especially his novels, radiate this value.

2. Patriotism
Patriotism denotes proud devotion and loyalty to one’s nation. Rizal’s visions
and proposals on how the people of our country could be on the road to
progress are commendable. The aim, of course, is so that the Filipinos could enjoy
the fullness of nationhood, especially politically, culturally, and economically, under
the mantle of national solidarity.

3. Faith in God
When Rizal was studying in Madrid, Spain, he assured his mother, through his
letter, of his faith in God. When his sister Olympia dided of childbirth in 1887, Rizal
pronounced, “I console myself saying that it was the will of God and what He does must
be the best.”

4. Love of Fellowmen
Rizal advocated thinking well of our fellowmen. His life exemplified the principle
that love of neighbor entails involvement in his or her behalf. Rizal’s thought on
love for our fellowmen is biblical and timeless.

5. Love of Parents
Rizal’s love for his parents is great and very admirable. He studied medicine
and ophthalmology just to cure his mother’s failing eyesight. Rizal also adored his
father. In 1881, he made a clay bust of his father. About six years later, he carved
a life-size wood sculpture of Don Francisco as an expression of his love for him. In
his novels, Noli and El Fili, the character of Ibarra has also shown his love for his
father.

6. Devotion to Truth
Rizal is a believer of revealing the truth. He believed that it was not good to
hide the truth. Rizal’s persevering search for truth in serving his country was a
motivating virtue. Wishing to get a t the cause of his people’s backwardness, Rizal
did intensive studies and carried out broad observations on the progress of other
nations.

7. Purity and idealism

Rizal was a person guided not only by practical considerations but also by

150 The Life and Works of Jose Rizal Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism: National Symbol
ideals. Extraordinary also was his insistence on purity of thoughts.

8. Noble Thought and Conduct

Rizal’s works and writings promoted good conduct, clean conscience, and
upright thinking. In his writings, for instance, he advised mothers to awaken the mind
of the children and prepare them for every good and desirable thought and deed.

9. Charity
Rizal seemed to feel happy when he could give joy to somebody. All his sacri-
fices for his country were charitable acts for his fellowmen.

10. Dedication to Duty

Dedication to one’s duty was another splendid virtue of Rizal. He virtually
dedicated his whole life in securing freedom for his country and happiness for his
people, a commitment historically unequaled in the history of his country.

11. Moral Courage

Rizal’s courage in working for the betterment of his country, despite all odds, is
a virtue that is so essential even today. His moral courage to do the best for his
people is worth imitating by our present leaders.

12. Willpower
Willpower is the ability to control or restrain oneself. Although the Spanish
colonizers instilled in Rizal’s generation inferiority complex and the idea that locals
were better governed by the Spaniards, Rizal worked on the opposite idea that his
people could be great and deserved freedom.

13. Integrity
Integrity refers to the quality of being honest and having strong moral
principles. In many aspects, Rizal is a model of moral uprightness and honesty.
These virtues he held were the result of his constant love and search for the truth.

14. Sincerity
Sincerity is essentially linked to humility as it makes us know the truth about
ourselves, to accept the truth whatever it may be, and live according to it. Rizal’s
sincerity is manifested in his acceptance that whatever he possessed, he owed
them to God who had planned a duty he had to carry out.

15. Self-Denial
Rizal gave up his personal desires for a better cause, that is, working for the
welfare of his country. His self-denial involved self-sacrifice and altruism.

16. Perseverance
It refers to the steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in
achieving success. In serving his country, Rizal showed mental and moral strength in
meeting and enduring pain, adversity and peril.

17. Discipline and Self-Control

Discipline is the suppression of base desires, and is typically understood to be

151 The Life and Works of Jose Rizal Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism: National Symbol
synonymous with self-restraint and control. In many instances, Rizal used reason to
determine the best course of action regardless of his desires. In fact, he deprived
himself of many unsound pleasures.

18. Initiative
Initiative is the ability to assess and initiate things independently. Patriotic as
he was, Rizal manifested the power to act or take charge before others do,
especially in nationalistic pursuits.

19. Prudence
Prudence is care, caution and good judgment, as well as wisdom in looking
ahead. Rizal showed prudence in choosing the best means of accomplishing things.
He had the habit of selecting the most courteous and profitable course of action.

20. Chivalry, Courtesy and Politeness

Chivalry is the combination of qualities expected of an ideal gentleman, es-
pecially courtesy and readiness to help the weak or women. Rizal’s sense of chivalry
prompted him to challenge Antonio Luna to a duel when the intoxicated Luna
made negative comments against a woman. Nellie Boustead. Being well-bred, Rizal
was courteous as he was gracious and considerate towards others.

21. Frugality
Rizal was careful about spending money and any other resources and in
using thing when he did not need to. He practice frugality when he was a student
Madrid; he would have his shoes repaired instead of buying new ones. To
economize in the printing of his Noli, Rizal deleted the chapter “Elias and Salome,”
which was supposed to be Chapter 25.

22. Love for Justice

Justice refers to fairness in the way people are dealt with. Having a good
conscience, Rizal found joy in being just and in fighting for justice. He died fighting
for justice not only for himself and his family but also for his people.

CRITERIA FOR NATIONAL HEROES

The concept of officially recognizing heroes began in the Philippines in 1900
when the Philippine Commission (Pardo de Tavera, Legarda, Luzurriaga (Filipino
members) and headed by William Howard Taft) approved Act No. 137 combining
the districts of Morong and Manila to be named as “Province of Rizal,” in honor of
the most illustrious Filipino. From that time on, heroes were celebrated here and
there, hearing their names in many speeches, declaring holidays, naming streets,
constructing monuments, and many more, in their honor.
It was until one day that the need to evaluate the situation was proposed,
realizing that there were so many names that were acknowledged as heroes. During
Ferdinand Marcos’ presidency, he tasked the National Heroes Commission to come
up with the criteria for national hero. On March 28, 1993, thru the President’s
Executive Order No. 75 under the former President Fidel V. Ramos, the National
Heroes Committee (NHC) was created. They were commissioned to study, evaluate
and recommend historical figures to be declared as national heroes. The
Committee composed of worthy members , with a series of discussions came up with

152 The Life and Works of Jose Rizal Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism: National Symbol
the new criteria. The criteria is composed of 10 standards and they are as
follows:
Adopted from Galang (2012):

1. The extent of a person’s sacrifices for the welfare of the country

2. The motive and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal (Was his
ideal purely for the welfare of the country and without any taint of self-
interested motives, most of all the method of attainment should be morally
valid)
3. The moral character of the person concerned (the person should not have
any immorality issue that affected his ideal)
4. The influence of the person concerned on his age and or the succeeding
age.
5. Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and
struggle for the nation’s freedom (they must have desired the country’s
freedom in any situation especially when there’s a threat of invasion in any
form).
6. Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system of life of freedom
and order for a nation (one who helps in the orderliness and betterment of
the country).
7. Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation.
8. A hero is part of the people’s expression (the citizen must have recognized
and acknowledged the person as a hero).
9. A hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations, his concern for
the future generations must be seen in his decisions and ideals).
10. The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or
events in history, but of the entire process that made this particular person a
hero.

As discussed earlier, no law, executive order, or proclamation has been

officially enacted or issued proclaiming any Filipino historical figure as a national
hero. But of course, there were laws enacted and proclamations issued to honor
some names because of their substantial roles in the process of nation-building and
contributions to history.
Nevertheless, our national heroes remain admired and revered for their roles in
the country’s history. Heroes, according to historians, should not be legislated. Their
appreciation should be better left to academics. Acclamation for heroes, they felt,
would be recognition enough.
For many, Rizal holds the status of being a universally-acclaimed Philippine
national hero as acknowledgement of his contribution t the major social
transformations that took place in the Philippines. In spite of the fact that Rizal did
not participate in an actual revolution, the late journalist Armando Malay
expressed this:
“The field from which a national hero would spring is not limited to the field of
revolution. Maybe, in some new African nation, the national hero would be the one who
invents a vaccine that would forever banish a debilitating disease (as cited in De Ocampo,
n.d.).”

153 The Life and Works of Jose Rizal Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism: National Symbol