GEN ED 9 - RIZAL
UNIT VI. JOSE RIZAL AND PHILIPPINE NATIONALISM: NATIONAL SYMBOL
The way our national hero José Rizal is celebrated in the Philippines as a national hero finds no match in the world. Shrines
and monuments dedicated to his figure are abundant throughout the country, and his name often indicates the most popular street
or plaza in town. Rizal is a subject in the university as it has become a symbol of Philippine patriotism.
SYMBOL NATIONAL SYMBOL
Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes a symbol as an action, Every country or state has its own national symbols to
object, or event that expresses or represents a particular idea or distinguish itself from others and to unite its people. It provokes
quality. In a culture, some things are conventionally associated with some sense of nationalism.
meaning and become symbols, either officially or
traditionally.
National Symbols of the Philippines
• National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) – stated that the official national symbols represent the
country's traditions and ideals and convey the principles of the Philippines' sovereignty and national solidarity.
Official National Symbols
LupangHinirang (national hymn) Sampaguita (national flower)
Philippine National Flag Narra (national tree)
Philippine eagle (national bird) Arnis (national game)
Philippine pearl (national gem)
Rizal as a National Symbol
Although Dr. Jose Rizal is widely recognized as our national hero, he nonetheless belongs to unofficial national
symbols. However, it does not make him less of a fitting symbol of the Philippines Jose Rizal's name and memory have
long been representing and symbolizing our country. Even in the international arena, Rizal's name elicits the name of our
country. The monuments built by people in countries where he had been and his books (and the books about him) in foreign
libraries necessarily bear the name Philippines.
The day of Rizal's introduction to the world and the day of his execution are fittingly celebrated by all classes of
our kin all through the length and broadness of this nation and even by Filipinos and their companions abroad. His name is
a byword in each Filipino home. At the same time, his image embellishes the postage stamp and (Philippine Coin) No other
Filipino saint can surpass Rizal in the number of towns, barrios, and avenues named after him in the number of instructive
establishments, social orders and exchange names that bear his name in the number of people the two Filipinos and
outsiders who were named "Rizal" or "Rizalina" because of their folks' appreciation for the incomparable Malayan. 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 (1) said,
"The doctrines of Rizal are not for one epoch but all epochs. They are as valid as they were yesterday. It cannot be said that
because the political ideals of Rizal have been achieved because of the change in the institutions, the wisdom of his
counsels or the value of his doctrines have ceased to be opportune.”
Executive Order No. 75, 1993
SEC. 2. All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government, including government-owned or
controlled corporations, are hereby directed to extend the fullest support to the National Heroes Committee.
SEC. 3. The private sector is hereby urged to assist the National Heroes Committee in the performance of its functions. SEC. 4. The
National Historical Commission shall act as Secretariat of the National Heroes Committee.
SEC. 5. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
It was done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of March in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-three.
(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.) ANTONIO T. CARPIO
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel
Source: Presidential Management Staff
Office of the President of the Philippines. (1993). [Executive Order Nos. : 1 – 125]. Manila: Presidential Management Staff.
Criteria for National Heroes: Executive Order No. 75, 1953
The notion of recognizing heroes began in 1900 when the Philippine Commission approved Act No. 137,
combining the Morongand Manila were known as Province of Rizal. In honor of Dr. Jose Rizal from then on, some heroes
commemorated everywhere in the country. During the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, he tasked the NHC to come up
with the national hero criteria. After many years President Fidel V. Ramos, on March 28, 1993, issued Executive Order
No.75 means to study and recommend the proclamation of National Heroes. After a series of through discussions the
commission came up with new criteria comprising 10 points or standards:
1. The extent of a person's sacrifices for the welfare of the country.
2. The motive and method employed in the attainment of the ideal.
3. The moral character of the person concerned.
4. The influence of the person concerned about his age/generation or the succeeding ones.
5. True heroes are those who have a concept of nation and, after that, aspire and struggle for the nation's
freedom.
6. Heroes define and contribute to a system of life of freedom and order for a country.
7. Heroes are those who provide the quality of life and destiny of a nation.
8. A hero is a part of people's expression.
9. The hero often thinks of the future, especially the future generations.
10. The choice of a hero involves recounting an episode or events in history and the entire process that made this
particular person a hero.
After two years of lingering debates and deliberations, the National Heroes Committee recommended the following
figures as national heroes:
Jose Rizal Sultan DipatuanKudarat
Andres Bonifacio Juan Luna
Apolinario Mabini Melchora Aquino
Emilio Aguinaldo Gabriela Silang
Marcelo H. Del Pilar
Neither Pres. Fidel V. Ramos nor any individual from the organization followed up on the council's suggestion.
Choice and Proclamation of National Heroes and Laws Honoring Filipino Historical Figures–expressed this was likely
because this may trigger a surge of solicitation for announcements. The decrees can trigger unpleasant discussions,
including valid debates about the saints.
There is no law, official request, or announcement that has been formally sanctioned or given broadcasting Rizal
or some other Filipino chronicled figures as a national legend. Consequently, laws sanctioned and announcements gave
regarding a few names due to their significant jobs during the time spent country building and commitments to history.
Even Rizal was not officially proclaimed as a national hero; nonetheless, he was given an implicit recognition as his day of
execution, December 30, has been made a national holiday. Aside from him, Andres Bonifacio’s day of birth, November
30, has been declared a national holiday, too.
Despite the absence of any official proclamation, these historical figures remain admired and revered for their role
in Philippine history. Historians said that heroes should not be legislated, and their appreciation should be better left to
academics. Rizal holds the status of being an all-around acclaimed Philippine national legend, somewhat a tribute to the
continued worship or approval of the individuals as an affirmation of his commitment to the significant social changes that
occurred in the Philippines.
Laws Honoring Heroes and Other Historical Figures
Jose Rizal
Decree of December 20, 1898
It was declared by Emilio Aguinaldo that December 30th of every year as the national day of mourning for Rizal
and other victims of the revolution.
Act No. 137
Organized the district of Morong into the Province of Rizal
Andres Bonifacio
Act No. 2946
Enacted to make November 30 a legal holiday to commemorate the birth of Andres Bonifacio
Act No. 2760
Confirmed and ratified all steps taken for national monuments, particularly for the erection of a statue of Andres
Bonifacio.
Graciano Lopez-Jaena
R.A. No. 7090
Declares December 18th of every year as a special working public holiday throughout the country or the
Graciano Lopez-Jaena Day.
Dona Aurora Aragon Quezon
R.A. No. 7285
Declares February 19th of each year as a special non-working holiday in the Province of Aurora to commemorate
her birthday.
Julian Felipe
R.A. 7805
Declares January 28 of every year as a non-working special public holiday in the City of Cavite to be known as
Julian Felipe Day
Pres. Manuel A. Roxas
Act No. 9067
Declares April 15th of every year as President Manuel A. Roxas Day, which shall be observed as a special
working public holiday in the Province of Capiz and City of Roxas.
Benigno “NINOY” Aquino Jr.
Act No. 9256
Declares August 21 every year as Ninoy Aquino Day and a non-working holiday to commemorate his
assassination.
