Republic of the Philippin

ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY

Cauayan City, Isabela

Module 11 - Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism- National Symbol

Learning Outcomes:

At the end this module, the students should be able to:

 Identify the different contributions of Rizal in the development of Philippine

nationalism;

 .Examine the values highlighted by various representations of Rizal as a national

symbol;

 Advocate the value Rizal’s life encapsulates.

Learning Content:

Learners are now ready to study the various topics intended for this module.

They are expected to understand the lesson well, by means of reading the

suggested articles relevant to the different topics.

Topic 1. EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 75 Series of 1993

MALACAÑANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 75, Series of 1993

CREATING THE NATIONAL HEROES COMMITTEE UNDER THE OFFICE OF THE

PRESIDENT
 Republic of the Philippin
ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

WHEREAS, the State is mandated to foster patriotism and nationalism among the

citizens, especially the youth, pursuant to Article II, Sections 13 and 17, of the

Constitutions;

WHEREAS, the State, through its educational system, is also mandated to inculcate

patriotism and nationalism, and the appreciation of the role of national heroes in the

historical development of the country pursuant to Article XIV, Section 3 (2), of the

Constitution;

WHEREAS, Almighty God has gifted the sovereign Filipino people with National

Heroes, the men and women of sterling character and remarkable achievements that

directed, and continue to direct, the historic destiny of the country;

WHEREAS, it is timely and appropriate to proclaim these National Heroes, the

renowned achievers of their generations and the shinning exemplars of these times;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the

powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SEC. 1. A National Heroes Committee is hereby created, composed of the Secretary of

Education, Culture and Sports as Chairman, and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and

the Secretary of National Defense as Members, to study and recommend the

proclamation of National Heroes.

SEC. 2. All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the

Government, including government-owned or controlled corporations, are hereby

 Republic of the Philippin
ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

directed to extend the fullest support to the National Heroes Committee in the

performance of its functions.

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.

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

THE GATES TO HEROISM: DEFINING A FILIPINO HERO

It is common for Filipinos to look for someone to idolize –saints, politicians, artists,

models, etc., somebody they will glorify and imitate. Since the time of the declaration of

Philippine independence, 109 years ago, many were acknowledged as Filipino heroes,

more so today, that every individual who become so popular or the main character in
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ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

any particular event is given the title “hero”. The essence of the word “hero” is past

declining, today one need not to die or do such gallant act to be given the noble title or

that some just won a boxing match. Time has really evolved and so does our standard

in defining a Filipino hero. Will our forefathers who gave their lives for freedom feel

insulted for this? Are these the Filipinos we’ll look up to for guidance through the times,

aren’t our children losing the true meaning of heroism by our doings? All these things

we should ask ourselves before giving the title “hero” to anyone.

But what does being a hero mean? Dr. Esteban de Ocampo, a known historian,

stated in his book about Rizal that a hero means a prominent or central personage

taking an admirable part in any remarkable action or event; a person of distinguished

valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering; and a man honored after death by

public worship because of exceptional service to mankind. The true heroes of Philippine

history deserve to be called so for they didn’t have any idea that one day they will be

measured up, they just acted upon their principles. The concept of honoring heroes

came only to 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. Actually, this Act was

disputed by many but the basis of the Commission was so strong that it has surpassed

the public’s questions.

Since then, heroes were celebrated here and there, citing their names in every

politician’s speeches, declaring holidays, naming streets, constructing monuments, etc.

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ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

in their honor. Until one day, realizing that so many names were acknowledged as

heroes, need to evaluate the situation was proposed. During 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, the National Heroes

Committee was created, 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 the new criteria.

The criteria is composed of 10 standards:

First is the extent of a person’s sacrifices for the welfare of the country.

Second, 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).

The third is the moral character of the person concerned (the person should not have

any immorality issue that affected his ideal).

The fourth is the influence of the person concerned on his age and or the succeeding

age.

Fifth is that 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).

Sixth is that 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).
 Republic of the Philippin
ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

Seventh is, heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation.

Eight, a hero is part of the people’s expression (the citizen must have recognized and

acknowledged the person as a hero).

Ninth, a hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations, his concern for the

future generations must be seen in his decisions and ideals).

Lastly, 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.

Filipino’s expectations of public figures are different now than it was more than a

hundred years ago, maybe because of the realization that no one is perfect. This is the

reason why today so many were acknowledged as heroes and many were voted in

important governing positions with flaws and questionable characters. Lucky are those

who aspire one day to be called a hero that the criteria was already set to pattern their

decisions with. I hope that the criteria for national heroes will not only be checked

against the historical figures but also with the politicians to whom we will entrust the

power to govern our country.

Topic 2. Monuments of Rizal in the different countries of the world

NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia – The Knights of

Rizal in Australia led the commemoration of the

122nd Anniversary of the Martyrdom of

 Republic of the Philippin
ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal on 30 December 2018 in Campbelltown

City and Blacktown City in New South Wales.

Jose Rizal Plaza is surrounded by beautiful greenery and flowers at Jinjiang

China Square

Long-winding cobblestoned Jose Rizal, on a hilly slope in Litomerice

Old-timers and German Rizalistas of Heidelberg pay respect to our national

hero with appropriate ceremonies during his birthday every year. They still

share fond memories of our hero’s memorable six-month sojourn in

Heidelberg and Wilhelmsfeld, which they reminisce with particular devotion

and veneration.
 Republic of the Philippin
ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

Jose Rizal, is the national hero of the Philippines. He was born on June 19, 1861 at

Calamba, Laguna and died by firing squad on December 30, 1896 at Rizal Park at the

age of 35. He was charged and convicted of rebellion by the Spanish court and

sentenced to death.

An Intimate Ceremony of Remembrance of Rizal’s Birth at Hibiya Park in Tokyo

 Republic of the Philippin
ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

A picture of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal’s bronze statue in Rome, Italy recently

emerged on social media, prompting a look at how the patriot is revered in other

countries.

It has been over 130 years since Rizal set foot in Spain, yet he left tangible reminders of

his momentous stay in Madrid and in Spain in general.

 Republic of the Philippin
ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

The first ever Rizal Park in Switzerland was inaugurated in the city of Wassen in canton

Uri on 29th August 2014

Topic 3. The Life and Legacy of José Rizal: National Hero of The Philippines

Dr. José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, is not only admired for

possessing intellectual brilliance but also for taking a stand and resisting the Spanish

colonial government. While his death sparked a revolution to overthrow the tyranny,

Rizal will always be remembered for his compassion towards the Filipino people and the

country.

Humble beginnings

José Protasio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 to

Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo in the town of Calamba in the province of

Laguna. He had nine

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ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

sisters and one brother. At the early age of three, the future political leader had already

learned the English alphabet. And, by the age

of five, José could already read and write.

Upon enrolling at the Ateneo Municipal de

Manila (now referred to as Ateneo De Manila

University), he dropped the last three names in

his full name, after his brother’s advice – hence,

being known as José Protasio Rizal. His

performance in school was outstanding –

winning various poetry contests, impressing his

professors with his familiarity of Castilian and

other foreign languages, and crafting literary

essays that were critical of the Spanish

historical accounts of pre-colonial Philippine

societies.

A man with multiple professions

While he originally obtained a land surveyor

and assessor’s degree in Ateneo, Rizal also took up a preparatory course on law at the

University of Santo Tomas (UST). But when he learned that his mother was going blind,

he decided to switch to medicine school in UST and later on specialized in

ophthalmology. In May 1882, he decided to travel to Madrid in Spain, and earned his

Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid.

 Republic of the Philippin
ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

Apart from being known as an expert in the field of medicine, a poet, and an

essayist, Rizal exhibited other amazing talents. He knew how to paint, sketch, and

make sculptures. Because he lived in Europe for about 10 years, he also became a

polyglot – conversant in 22 languages. Aside from poetry and creative writing, Rizal had

varying degrees of expertise in architecture, sociology, anthropology, fencing, martial

arts, and economics to name a few.

His novels awakened Philippine nationalism. Rizal had been very vocal against the

Spanish government, but in a peaceful and progressive manner. For him, “the pen was

mightier than the sword.” And through his writings, he exposed the corruption and

wrongdoings of government officials as well as the Spanish friars.

While in Barcelona, Rizal contributed essays, poems, allegories, and editorials to

the Spanish newspaper, La Solidaridad. Most of his writings, both in his essays and

editorials, centered on individual rights and freedom, specifically for the Filipino people.

As part of his reforms, he even called for the

inclusion of the Philippines to become a

province of Spain.

But, among his best works, two novels stood

out from the rest – Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me

Not) and El Filibusterismo (The Reign of the

Greed).
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ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

In both novels, Rizal harshly criticized the Spanish colonial rule in the country

and exposed the ills of Philippine society at the time. And because he wrote about the

injustices and brutalities of the Spaniards in the country, the authorities banned Filipinos

from reading the controversial books. Yet they were not able to ban it completely. As

more Filipinos read the books, their eyes opened to the truth that they were suffering

unspeakable abuses at the hands of the friars. These two novels by Rizal, now

considered his literary masterpieces, are said to have indirectly sparked the Philippine

Revolution.

Rizal’s unfateful days

Upon his return to the Philippines, Rizal formed a progressive organization called the La

Liga Filipina. This civic movement advocated social reforms through legal means. Now

Rizal was considered even more of a threat by the Spanish authorities (alongside his

novels and essays), which ultimately led to his exile in Dapitan in northern Mindanao.

This however did not stop him from continuing his plans for reform. While in

Dapitan, Rizal built a school, hospital, and water system. He also taught farming and

worked on agricultural projects such as using

abaca to make ropes.

In 1896, Rizal was granted leave by then

Governor-General Blanco, after volunteering to

travel to Cuba to serve as doctor to yellow fever

victims. But at that time, the Katipunan had a full-blown revolution and Rizal was
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ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

accused of being associated with the secret militant

society. On his way to Cuba, he was arrested in

Barcelona and sent back to Manila to stand for trial

before the court martial. Rizal was charged with

sedition, conspiracy, and rebellion – and therefore,

sentenced to death by firing squad.

Days before his execution, Rizal bid farewell to his motherland and countrymen

through one of his final letters, entitled Mi último adiós or My Last Farewell. Dr. José

Rizal was executed on the morning of December 30, 1896, in what was then called

Bagumbayan (now referred to as Luneta). Upon

hearing the command to shoot him, he faced

the squad and uttered in his final breath:

“Consummatum est” (It is finished). According

to historical accounts, only one bullet ended the

life of the Filipino martyr and hero.

His legacy lives on after his death, the Philippine Revolution continued until 1898.

And with the assistance of the United States, the Philippines declared its independence

from Spain on June 12, 1898. This was the time that the Philippine flag was waved at

General Emilio Aguinaldo’s residence in Kawit, Cavite.

Today, Dr. Rizal’s brilliance, compassion, courage, and patriotism are greatly

remembered and recognized by the Filipino people. His two novels are continuously
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ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

being analyzed by

students and professionals.

Colleges and universities in the Philippines even require their students to take a

subject which centers around the life and works of Rizal. Every year, the Filipinos

celebrate Rizal Day – December 30 each year – to commemorate his life and works.

Filipinos look back at how his founding of La Liga Filipina and his two novels had an

effect on the early beginnings of the Philippine Revolution. The people also recognize

his advocacy to achieve liberty through peaceful means rather than violent revolution.

In honor of Rizal, memorials and statues of the national hero can be found not

only within the Philippines, but in selected cities around the world. A road in the

Chanakyapuri area of New Delhi (India) and in Medan, Indonesia is named after him.

The José Rizal Bridge and Rizal Park in the city of Seattle are also dedicated to the late

hero.

Within the Philippines, there are streets, towns/cities, a university (Rizal

University), and a province named after him. Three species have also been named after

Rizal – the Draco rizali (a small lizard, known as a flying dragon), Apogania rizali (a very

rare kind of beetle with five horns) and the Rhacophorus rizali (a peculiar frog species).

To commemorate what he did for the country, the Philippines built a memorial

park for him – now referred to as Rizal Park, found in Manila. There lies a monument

which contains a standing bronze sculpture of Rizal, an obelisk, and a stone base said
 Republic of the Philippin
ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

to contain his remains. The monument stands near the place where he fell during his

execution in Luneta.

I. Recommended Learning Materials

Book

Zaide, G. (2012) Jose Rizal Life Works and Writings, Revised Millenium Edition
pages 58,78, 102-103, & 1089-190
Electronic Source

Alcantara, A. (2019) The Jose Rizal Square in Jinjiang, China. Retrieved April
21, 2019 from [Link]

Cruz, A (2019) Tracking down Rizal in Czech Republic. Retrieved June 26, 2019
from [Link]
czech-republic/
Derheim, J. (2010) Dr. Jose Rizal Statue in Wilhelmsfeld, Germany Retrieved
Nov. 15, 2010 from
[Link]
germany/

Malasig, J (2019) The sun is always shining on a Jose Rizal monument in the
world. Retrieved January 16, 2019 from
[Link]
is-always-shining-on-a-jose-rizal-monument-in-the-world/

Roldan, R. & Mabayo, R ( 2017) Jose Rizal in Present-Day Madrid. Retrieved

January 04, 2017 from [Link]
Lee-Brago, P. (2014) Rizal Park opens in Switzerland. Retrieved September 5,
2014 from [Link]
park-opens-switzerland

GOVPH (2015) Selection and Proclamation of National Heroes and Laws

Honoring Filipino Historical Figures. Retrieved May 18, 2015 from
http/[Link]/about-culture-profile/selection-and-proclamation-of-
national-heroes-and-laws-honoring-filipino-historical-figures/
 Republic of the Philippin
ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

II. Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted

A. Online (Synchronous)- Zoom meetings or video call via messenger

Students shall be advised to have a face to face meeting with their mentors

and shall decide, if what mode of learning would be adopted as the case maybe,

and to clarify things which are relevant to the learning activities.

B. Remote (Synchronous) Module

Students should be provided with the following: syllabus, course

outline, and module. These documents should be distributed among the learners

during the first day of classes

III. Assessment Task

Answer the following questions.

1. Distinguish nationality from nationalism

2. Cite a situation where nationalism is being observed.

3. What are the pieces of evidence that Rizal contributed to the development of Philippine

nationalism?

4. Give some reasons, why Jose Rizal is being recognized in other countries as an

important Filipino figure.

5. Compose a spoken poetry which consists of not less than 500 words in honor of our

national hero. Recite your output and take a video of it, then send to your instructor/

professor via messenger for evaluation including e-copy of the poetry.

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ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan City, Isabela

Criteria for the Spoken Poetry

Relevance to the topic-50%

Creativity/Style and Originality-30%

Coherence of form and structure (harmony of words, presentation)-10%

Clarity of imagery and language- 10

IV. References

Electronic Source

Executive Order #75 series of 1993 Retrieved from

[Link]

Galang, D. (2012) THE GATES TO HEROISM: DEFINING A FILIPINO HERO.

Retrieved September 5, 2012 from [Link]
defining-a-filipino-hero/

Valdeavilla, R. (20180) The Life and Legacy of José Rizal: National Hero of The
Philippines Retrieved June 8, 2018 from
[Link]
the-philippines-national-hero