THE SELECTION OF NATIONAL HERO

After the many years of colonization of the Philippines

by the Spanish, the Americans took over the country
after the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1898. This
paved way for the 50 year presence of the Americans in
the Philippines. During this years, many things were
observed to be lacking by the Americans. One of
them was that of the lack of National symbols of the
country.

The observation that the country lack national symbols was observed by US Gov. Frank Murphy that in
1933, the said governor was inclined to let the Philippines have a National Hero when he ordered that
there should be a committee for it. It was with this that a certain committee was created which
consisted of five (5) Americans and four (4) Filipinos to choose a certain individual for this task. The
Americans consisted of William Taft, Morgan Shuster, Bernard Moses, Dean Worcester, and Henry Ide.
On the Filipino side they were Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, Gregorio Araneta, Cayetano Arellano, and Jose
Luzuriaga respectively. They were tasked to make the qualifications of choosing who would be chosen
as the national hero of the country wherein, (a)Filipino Citizen, (b) Deep LOVE and/ or devotion for his
country, (c) Peaceful, calm, and/or having a pacified mind, and lastly (d) Deceased were the
requirements set by the group. With these requirements, five (5) candidates were chosen. The following
are the names of the candidates for the selection:
Marcelo H. Del Pilar
Graciano Lopez Jaena THE PROCESS of SELECTION
Antonio Luna CREATION IDENTIFICATION
NAMING
THE
OF THE OF THE
Jose Rizal COMMITTEE QUALIFICATIONS
CANDIDATES

Emilio Jacinto Filipino

ELECTION

With the candidates being at hand, the election Nationalistic

&/or
VOTATION
Members
process happened among the members of the 5 Americans
4 Filipinos Peaceful
committee.
Deceased

RA 1425
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The creation of RA 1425 came from a various reasoning. Pertinent reasons to which the republic act
was based are these:
a. Lack of Role Models. With the long colonization of the Spaniards that happened in the
Philippines, many Filipinos were influenced with the Spanish style to which, many adopted the
Spanish way of thinking. This manner of adaptation deprived the Filipino community of having a
 role model that exemplifies who a Filipino must be. This situation, as observed when the
Americans came in the Philippines, paved the way for the urgency of choosing a national hero.
b. Lack of Devotion and Commitment. During the Spanish colonization, most Filipinos (for the
reason of ‘survival’), mostly shifted their devotion and commitment towards the Spanish
authorities. This is a common observation happening mostly in urban places were Spanish
authorities are mostly centralized. Also, this has been a contributory factor that led to the extent
of time to which the country has been colonized. The politics and the church of the country
during those time have various and many problems that is being solved and processed which
are seen to be rooted in these causes. It is with these that establishing symbols truly belonging
to the Filipino nation was seen as a must, thus, one reason used in doing the selection of a
national hero.
c. Lack of sense of Nationalism. The sense of Nationalism is a great problem during those
times. With the great length of time to which the country was colonized, the people’s sense of
nationalism was strongly diminished. Also, the lack of cooperation and unity among the leaders,
themselves, paved the way for many factions having their own interests rather than having a
national one. This was made evident with the revolts that occurred during the Spanish times in
the country. It was not until the after the death of Jose Rizal that, in a manner, a national sense
of unity was called by many leaders (following Rizal’s sense of urgency for the nation to unite as
placed in his writings).

REPUBLIC ACT 1425- THE RIZAL LAW

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

This law, as stated within, is inclusive of all academic institution in the Philippines, secular or not,
starting from the basic educational system until college. The law also includes that if there be any
foreign students included within the institution, they are not to be excluded from learning the course
or the subject.

OBJECTIVES OF THE RIZAL LAW

The law specifically states the following be observed as objectives:

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;

It is seen in this paragraph that with freedom gained, the ideals of freedom and nationalism
must not die with it. Instead, there, must be a continuing endeavor that each citizen must
 constantly visit the essence of freedom and nationalism as to value it more from time to time.
Thus, the need to re-dedication.

WHEREAS, it is to 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;

As heroes are mostly deceased, they are to be honorably remembered especially with their
contribution in the shaping of our national character. As of today, it is sad to admit that heroes
are only left alone as monuments, that even these said monuments are not given their due
respect.

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;

The works of our national hero is a revolutionary one that

even foreign countries give high regard about it. Thus, such
works must continually inspire and be the source of
patriotism and nationalism especially among the youth
particularly in their formative years in school. This makes the
works to be more important to be included in the curricula
of their school years.

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;

The formative development of each student, geared towards the development of the country, is
one of the duties of each citizen. Thus, this is the foremost importance of RA1425 to be
included in the curricula of the students. It is with formation development that a country is seen
to soar and this usually is dependent among the youth who are considered the following
generation.
References:

Adanza, E.G. (2002). Isang Aklat sa Pandalunhasang Kurso: Jose P. Rizal at ang Kanyang Buhay,
Ginawa at Naging Bahagi sa Himagsikang Pilipino.
Agoncillo, Teodor. The History of the Filipino People. 8th Ed.
Capino. D. Rizal’s Life, Works and Writings: Their Impact on Our National Identity
Desederiko, D.G. (2005 Rizal:Mga Piling Kwento ng Pag-ibig at Pakikipagsapalaran. Mandaluyong
City. Rex Bookstore.
Maguigad, R. et. al. Jose Rizal: The First Filipino. Quezon City: Troika Press
Maranan, Ruben. (2015). Jose Rizal: First Global Filipino Hero. South Triangle, Quezon City: C & E
Publishing, Inc.
National Historical Commission of the Philippines. 2011. Jose Rizal: Political and Historical
Writings. T.M. Kalaw St. Ermita. Manila. Philippines.
Nery, John. (2011). Revolutionary Spirit: Jose Rizal in Southeast Asia. Quezon City. ADMU Press.
Ocampo, Ambeth (2001). Meaning and History: The Rizal Lectures. Manila: Anvil Publishing
Press.
Ocampo, Ambeth (2012). Rizal Without the Overcoat: In Commemoration of Jose Rizal’s 150 th
Birth Anniversary. Mandaluyiong City: Anvil.

Online References:
www.joserizal.ph/in01.html
www.joserizal.info
http://Wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal
http://www.joserizal.phino1.html

Alfred Batocong

Prepared by: