“Is Rizal the First Filipino

Nationalist?”
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By Ericka Mae G. Magadia

Many people could've been heroes, and many people could've been the Filipino
nationalist, but why Dr. Jose Rizal is the one considered to be the “First Filipino Nationalist”?
From what I’ve read, Dr. Jose Rizal was the first one who showed what being a true Filipino is
and what can they be if they put their mind to it. He was the first one to envision that the
Filipino community can be something– have ideals, and make a change by using their
knowledge and strengths instead of using violence, proving that Filipinos are not just a mere
part of an imagined community or a property of another country. Furthermore, the genius Rizal
took the role of giving Filipinos their identity as the child of their "Inang Bayan" and supporting
them to be independent with the help of his literary works and other contributions. Thus, Jose
Rizal’s loyalty to his beloved country and his desire for a peaceful, free community with the
power of his knowledge made him the first Filipino nationalist.