Why did Rizal become the Philippine National hero?

First of all, we should clarify the meaning if a hero to make it quite simple to understand how Rizal
became a hero. A hero symbolizes goodness. Jose Rizal became the National hero because he fought
from freedom in a silent but powerful way. He expressed his love for the Philippines through his novels,
essays, articles and poems rather than a force of aggression.

He was a very amazing person at his time. He was humble,fighting for reforms through his writings
instead of through a revolution. He used his intelligence, talents and skills in a for more peaceful way.

Rizal became a National Hero because he passed the criteria during the American period:

1. He must be Filipino.

2. He is already dead.

3. He displayed unconditional love for his country.

4. He was a low temper.

5. He had died dramatically.

Jose Rizal became a national hero of the Philippines as a reformist who advocated peacefully for liberty
rather than violent means. He was forerunner of Gandhi and along with Sum Yat Sen and Tagone, the
thought climate will change throughout Asia. His work and the work of others led to the attrition of
colonialism.

Who Made Rizal Our Foremost National Hero?

BY: ESTEBAN A. DE OCAMPO

Dr. Jose Rizal Mercado y Alonso, or simply Jose Rizal (1861-1896), is the greatest hero & martyr of our
nation. The day of his birth & the day of his execution are fittingly commemorated by all classes of our
people throughout the length & breadth of this country & even by Filipinos & their friends abroad. His
name is a byword in every Filipino home while his picture adorns the postage stamp & paper money of
widest circulation.

As the 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. This signifies the immortality of Rizals life, works, and
genuine character. And as our beloved countrys National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal will be remembered,
forever.
However, there are still some Filipinos who entertain the belief that Rizal is a "made-to-order" national
hero, (one that personifies what we want to see in a person, or in a hero, for this matter) & that the
maker or manufacturer in this case were the Americans, particularly Civil Governor William Howard Taft.

And lastly, we repeat the question "Who made Rizal the foremost hero of the Philippines?"

The answer is:

No single person or organization can be held responsible for making Dr. Jose Rizal our national hero.
Rizal himself, his own people, and the foreigners all together contributed to make him the greatest hero
and martyr of his people. This is because; Dr. Jose Rizal didnt become our National Hero by way of
traditional election. The fruits of his exceptional dedication and conviction to his lifes purpose are seen
in our everyday lives. If he hadnt, and among other note-worthy heroes of our history fought for our
well-deserved freedom, maybe well still be in the hands of our unjust captors. His excellent qualities
and merits made him Our Foremost National Hero.

Rizal's legacy for the 21st century: Progressive Education, Social Entrepreneurship, and Community
Development.

By: Floro Quibuyen

Progressive Education

The progressive school movement deconstructed the taken-for-gratnted idea that the school is an
enclave where the student learns first and then later, after graduation gets a job and hopefully,
becomes a productive member of the community. Against this notion, it advocated and practiced the
principle that the school is an integral working and promoting the well-being of the community all at the
same time. Rizal's school in Talisay may be viewed as one such "educational web".

Social Entrepreneurship

Rizal formed Dapitan's first farmers cooperative the Sociedad de Agriculturos Dapitanos (SAD), whee
capital was to be provided by Sociosindustriales (Industrial Partners) and Socio Accionistas (Share
Holders). January 1, 1895, the cooperative aimed to improve/promote agricultural products, obtain their
profits for them, provide capital for the purchase of these goods and help to the extent possible the
harvesters and laborers by means of a store where articles of basic necessity are sold at moderate
prices.

Community Development

Rizal developed Dapitan's first park, complete with street lamps and a garden/flower relief map o the
whole island of Mindanao. he built a one-doctor hospital, and paid his own money for the medical
supplies and instruments. People of Dapitan are not charged of any consultation. A English man who
came for consultation was charged 500 duros for the extraction of his cataract. The money was donated
to Dapitan for the public lighting which they didn't have.
Jose Rizals Real Name

His complete name was Dr. Jos Rizal Protasio Mercado y Alonso Realonda.Many wonder why he used
Rizal while his father was Francisco Mercado. He should have been Jose Mercado right? So why did
Rizals surname becomeRizal instead of Mercado?

Some of the explanations with this are:

Joses real last name, Mercado, during those times was a hot name, targeted by the Spaniards. He
changed his surname to protect his identity. So he just used his middle name, Rizal, instead, which was
considered as illustrado during the Spanish time and entails the benefits a Spaniard can get. Second,
there was Spanish law to change the last name of Filipinos those times.Mercado sounded a common
name and there were lots of people having that surname already who were not really relatives of Rizal.

Republic Act No. 1425

AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS
NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the
ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;

WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we
remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national
character;

WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth,
especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused;

WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the
State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and
to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore,
SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or
private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as basic texts.

The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to
implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate
primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act,
promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the
provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of
students for reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement of the
provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this section; but not from taking the
course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty
(30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette.

SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an
adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizals other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal
shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools,
colleges and universities.

The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon
the enrollment of the school, college or university.

SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine
dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of
charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils
throughout the country.

SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section nine hundred
twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public
school teachers and other person engaged in any public school.
SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of
any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.