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José Rizal: Advocate for Peaceful Reform

José Rizal was a Filipino nationalist and reformist who advocated for peaceful reform of Spanish rule in the Philippines in the late 19th century. He was a polymath who worked as a physician and published several novels and essays calling for reform. His writings inspired Philippine nationalism and he co-founded the Liga Filipina, a civic organization that advocated for representation in the Spanish parliament and other reforms. Despite not advocating for independence, he was executed by the Spanish in 1896, which further galvanized Filipino nationalism and the movement for independence from Spain.

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261 views3 pages

José Rizal: Advocate for Peaceful Reform

José Rizal was a Filipino nationalist and reformist who advocated for peaceful reform of Spanish rule in the Philippines in the late 19th century. He was a polymath who worked as a physician and published several novels and essays calling for reform. His writings inspired Philippine nationalism and he co-founded the Liga Filipina, a civic organization that advocated for representation in the Spanish parliament and other reforms. Despite not advocating for independence, he was executed by the Spanish in 1896, which further galvanized Filipino nationalism and the movement for independence from Spain.

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Loraine Kytes Baliquia
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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  • Introduction to José Rizal
  • Rizal's Influence and Legacy
  • Honors and Remembrances

José Rizal, in full 

José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, (born June 19,


1861, Calamba, Philippines—died December 30, 1896, Manila), patriot, physician, and
man of letters who was an inspiration to the Philippine nationalist movement.
The son of a prosperous landowner, Rizal was educated in Manila and at the University
of Madrid. A brilliant medical student, he soon committed himself to the reform of
Spanish rule in his home country, though he never advocated Philippine independence.
Most of his writing was done in Europe, where he resided between 1882 and 1892.
In 1887 Rizal published his first novel, Noli me tangere (The Social Cancer), a
passionate exposure of the evils of Spanish rule in the Philippines. A sequel, El
filibusterismo (1891; The Reign of Greed), established his reputation as the leading
spokesman of the Philippine reform movement. He published an annotated edition
(1890; reprinted 1958) of Antonio Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, hoping to
show that the native people of the Philippines had a long history before the coming of
the Spaniards. He became the leader of the Propaganda Movement, contributing
numerous articles to its newspaper, La Solidaridad, published in Barcelona. Rizal’s
political program included integration of the Philippines as a province of Spain,
representation in the Cortes (the Spanish parliament), the replacement of Spanish friars
by Filipino priests, freedom of assembly and expression, and equality of Filipinos and
Spaniards before the law.
Rizal returned to the Philippines in 1892. He founded a nonviolent-reform society,
the Liga Filipina, in Manila, and was deported to Dapitan in northwest Mindanao. He
remained in exile for the next four years. In 1896 the Katipunan, a Filipino nationalist
secret society, revolted against Spain. Although he had no connections with that
organization and he had had no part in the insurrection, Rizal was arrested and tried
for sedition by the military. Found guilty, he was publicly executed by a firing squad in
Manila. His martyrdom convinced Filipinos that there was no alternative to
independence from Spain. On the eve of his execution, while confined in Fort Santiago,
Rizal wrote “Último adiós” (“Last Farewell”), a masterpiece of 19th-century Spanish
verse.

Rizal was a contemporary of Gandhi, Tagore and Sun Yat Sen who also advocated liberty through
peaceful means rather than by violent revolution. Coinciding with the appearance of those other
leaders, Rizal from an early age had been enunciating in poems, tracts and plays, ideas all his own
of modern nationhood as a practical possibility in Asia. In the Noli he stated that if European
civilization had nothing better to offer, colonialism in Asia was doomed. [note 17]
Government poster from the 1950s

Though popularly mentioned, especially on blogs, there is no evidence to suggest that Gandhi or
Nehru may have corresponded with Rizal, neither have they mentioned him in any of their memoirs
or letters. But it was documented by Rizal's biographer, Austin Coates who interviewed Jawaharlal
Nehru and Gandhi that Rizal was mentioned, specifically in Nehru's prison letters to his daughter
Indira.[106][107]
As a political figure, José Rizal was the founder of La Liga Filipina, a civic organization that
subsequently gave birth to the Katipunan led by Andrés Bonifacio,[note 18], a secret society which would
start the Philippine Revolution against Spain that eventually laid the foundation of the First Philippine
Republic under Emilio Aguinaldo. He was a proponent of achieving Philippine self-government
peacefully through institutional reform rather than through violent revolution, and would only support
"violent means" as a last resort.[109] Rizal believed that the only justification for national liberation and
self-government was the restoration of the dignity of the people, [note 19] saying "Why independence, if
the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow?" [110] However, through careful examination of his
works and statements, including Mi Ultimo Adios, Rizal reveals himself as a revolutionary. His image
as the Tagalog Christ also intensified early reverence to him.
Rizal, through his reading of Morga and other western historians, knew of the genial image of
Spain's early relations with his people. [111] In his writings, he showed the disparity between the early
colonialists and those of his day, with the latter's injustices giving rise to Gomburza and the
Philippine Revolution of 1896. The English biographer, Austin Coates, and writer, Benedict
Anderson, believe that Rizal gave the Philippine revolution a genuinely national character; and that
Rizal's patriotism and his standing as one of Asia's first intellectuals have inspired others of the
importance of a national identity to nation-building. [31][note 20]
The Belgian researcher Jean Paul "JP" Verstraeten authored several books about Jose Rizal: Rizal
in Belgium and France, Jose Rizal's Europe, Growing up like Rizal (published by the National
Historical Institute and in teacher's programs all over the Philippines), Reminiscences and Travels of
Jose Rizal and Jose Rizal "Pearl of Unselfishness". He received an award from the president of the
Philippines "in recognition of his unwavering support and commitment to promote the health and
education of disadvantaged Filipinos, and his invaluable contribution to engender the teachings and
ideals of Dr. Jose Rizal in the Philippines and in Europe". One of the greatest researchers about
Rizal nowadays is Lucien Spittael.
Several titles were bestowed on him: "the First Filipino", "Greatest Man of the Brown Race", among
others. The Order of the Knights of Rizal, a civic and patriotic organization, boasts of dozens of
chapters all over the globe.[113][114] There are some remote-area religious sects who venerate Rizal as
a Folk saint collectively known as the Rizalista religious movements, who claim him as a sublimation
of Christ.[115] In September 1903, he was canonised as a saint in the Iglesia Filipina Independiente,
however it was revoked in the 1950s.[116]

 Although his field of action lay in politics, Rizal's real interests lay in the arts and sciences, in
literature and in his profession as an ophthalmologist. Shortly after his death, the
Anthropological Society of Berlin met to honor him with a reading of a German translation of his
farewell poem and Dr. Rudolf Virchow delivering the eulogy.[120]
 The Rizal Monument now stands near the place where he fell at the Luneta in Bagumbayan,
which is now called Rizal Park, a national park in Manila. The monument, which also contains
his remains, was designed by the Swiss Richard Kissling of the William Tell sculpture in Altdorf,
Uri.[note 21] The monument carries the inscription: "I want to show to those who deprive people the
right to love of country, that when we know how to sacrifice ourselves for our duties and
convictions, death does not matter if one dies for those one loves – for his country and for others
dear to him."[24]
 The Taft Commission in June 1901 approved Act 137 renaming the District of Morong into
the Province of Rizal. Today, the wide acceptance of Rizal is evidenced by the countless towns,
streets, and numerous parks in the Philippines named in his honor.

Common questions

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Rizal’s literary works, particularly his novels 'Noli Me Tangere' and 'El Filibusterismo,' played a significant role in shaping a national identity in the Philippines. By exposing the social injustices and corruptions of Spanish colonial rule, these works fueled nationalist consciousness and pride in Philippine culture and history. Rizal's writings conveyed the idea of a national identity that was separate from Spanish influence, which was pivotal in the emergence of a unified Philippine nationalist movement .

Austin Coates played a key role in documenting Rizal's influence on Asian leaders by interviewing them and noting references to Rizal in their correspondence. Although there is no direct evidence of communication between Rizal and Asian leaders like Nehru and Gandhi, Coates recorded Nehru's mentions of Rizal in letters to his daughter Indira, highlighting the broader recognition of Rizal's ideals and their impact on Asian intellectuals and nationalist movements .

“Mi Ultimo Adios” served as a poignant final testament and solidified Rizal’s legacy as a martyr for the Philippine nationalist cause. The poem eloquently expressed his love for the country and his willingness to sacrifice his life for its freedom, reinforcing his image as a national hero. Its emotional and patriotic theme resonated with the public, enhancing his status as a symbol of the struggle against colonial oppression and inspiring future generations to continue fighting for independence .

Rizal's multidisciplinary approach is evident in his career as a physician, writer, and political figure. As a trained ophthalmologist, Rizal applied scientific rigor to his studies and writings. His novels blend literary artistry with critical social commentary, effectively using storytelling as a tool for political advocacy. Through his civic organization, La Liga Filipina, Rizal combined political activism with his passion for reform and education, seeking to cultivate a well-informed and empowered citizenry .

José Rizal's primary motivation was to achieve self-government for the Philippines while restoring the dignity of the people. He advocated for peaceful institutional reform rather than violent revolution, emphasizing integration of the Philippines as a province of Spain, representation in the Spanish parliament, and equality before the law as key objectives. Rizal believed that achieving independence without ensuring just governance would only replace one tyranny with another, as reflected in his quote, "Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow?" .

Rizal's annotated edition of Antonio Morga’s 'Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas' aimed to reveal the rich history and civilization of the Filipino people prior to Spanish colonization, thereby boosting national pride and countering colonial narratives that depicted Filipinos as needing Spanish rule. This work was significant as it provided a historical foundation for the nationalist movement by emphasizing the Filipinos' pre-colonial achievements and their ability to govern themselves .

The Rizal Monument, located at Rizal Park in Manila, serves as a lasting symbol of Rizal's ideals and legacy by commemorating his martyrdom and dedication to the Filipino cause. The monument carries an inscription emphasizing self-sacrifice and love for the country, encapsulating Rizal's message of dying for one's convictions. Its prominent location and inclusion of his remains make it a focal point for national pride and a place of reflection on the struggles for Philippine independence .

Although Rizal was not directly involved in the establishment of the Katipunan, his founding of La Liga Filipina indirectly influenced its creation. La Liga’s objective of reform inspired more radical solutions, leading Andres Bonifacio to form the Katipunan, which pursued independence from Spanish rule. Rizal's advocacy for social justice and institutional reforms provided ideological nourishment for the Katipunan's revolutionary goals, contributing significantly to the broader Philippine Revolution .

Rizal's education in Manila and at the University of Madrid exposed him to liberal ideas and enlightened thought, which influenced his views on colonial rule. His time in Europe provided firsthand experience of modern political and social systems, shaping his belief in peaceful reform. He became increasingly critical of the inefficiencies and injustices of Spanish colonial administration, advocating for systemic reforms to achieve equality and integration rather than outright independence .

José Rizal's execution by firing squad in 1896 became a catalyst for the Philippine nationalist movement. Although he was not directly involved in the Katipunan uprising, his martyrdom highlighted the futility of peaceful reform under Spanish rule and convinced many Filipinos that independence was the only viable path forward. His death symbolized the oppressive nature of colonial rule and inspired nationalist sentiments, ultimately contributing to the broader revolutionary efforts that followed .

José Rizal, in full José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, (born June 19, 1861, Calamba, Philippines—died December 3
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rizal_Died_for_You-_Be_Worthy_of_Him_-_NARA_-_5730063.jpg)Government poster from the 195
ideals of Dr. Jose Rizal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal_(province)) in the Philippines and in Europe". One of the great

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