Rizal’s Life and Work
MODULE 2- Nation & Nationalism
MARIA JULIANA D. ENRIQUE/ BSMT-1B
MAIN TOPIC
• FILIPINO NATIONALISM
• IS THE PHILIPPINES WORTH LIVING FOR?
FILIPINO NATIONALISM
-the awakening and support towards a political identity
associated with modern Philippines leading to a wide-
ranging campaign for political, social, and economic
freedom in the Philippines.
-This gradually emerged out of various political and
armed movements throughout most of the Spanish East
Indies—albeit has long been fragmented and
inconsistent with contemporary definitions of such
nationalism—as a consequence of more than three
centuries of Spanish rule.
-These movements are characterized by the upsurge of
anti-colonialist sentiments and ideals which peaked in
the late 19th century led mostly by the ilustrado or
landed, educated elites, whether peninsulares, insulares,
or native (Indio).This served as the backbone of the first
nationalist revolution in Asia, the Philippine Revolution of
1896. (Nick, 1990)
How then can we claim to be moving forward towards a
future of greatness and prosperity when we continue to
take significant steps backward?
-Perhaps it is when we learn to appreciate that nations
are built from the ground up and not from the top down
that real sustainable change will begin to take hold.
Change cannot be "architected" unless people already
possess an inherent will to evaluate their present
behaviours and attitudes and exhibit an equally inherent
ability to execute the solutions the resulting observations
beg. Just seeing how Filipinos cannot even be bothered
to implement even the easiest and most obvious
solutions to the myriad of problems staring them in the
face pretty much tells us what our prospects for future
prosperity really are.
Randy David’s article entitled “Is Nationalism Passe?”
accurately answers
the question as to whether Nationalism still existent and
relevant in this modern times.
Is the Philippines worth dying for? On June 28, 1892, the
eve of his return to the country, Jose Rizal eloquently
stated the affirmative case on this question. Aware that
he had become controversial and was likely to be
hounded by the Spanish colonial authorities from the
moment he stepped on the shores of the motherland, he
wrote: “I have always loved my poor country and I am
sure that I shall love her until death if by chance men are
unjust to me; and I shall enjoy the happy life, contented
in the thought that all that I have suffered, my past, my
present and my future, my life, my loves, my pleasures, I
have sacrificed all of these for love of her. Happen what
may, I shall die blessing her and desiring the dawn of her
redemption.”
Rizal, a patriot, distinguished between the country and its
government, not equated people with the government.
He attacked religious orders in the Philippines,
recognizing the difference between religion and friars.
Rizal's love for his country is often overlooked by young
Filipinos, who may dismiss it as suitable for a time when
the nation was not yet free. His vision of a proud,
modern, and prosperous nation with equality in rights
inspired him to make personal sacrifices. Despite the
formal freedom, the masses remain shackled to poverty,
patronage, ignorance, and superstition. Those with
significant contributions find little hope in the nation's
future and focus on personal fortunes abroad.
IS THE PHILIPPINES WORTH DYING FOR?
The author contributed to a project aimed at instilling
patriotism among government science scholarship
students, who are often sent abroad for higher studies
and specialization, highlighting the significant
government investment in education.
Many scholars and scientists leave the Philippines to join
the international community, but the government still
wants them to return home and mentor local scientists
and professionals. The current arrangement requires one
year of return service for every year of scholarship at a
local institution and two years for every year of study
abroad under government fellowship or sponsorship.
This typically means working at a government institution,
 Rizal’s Life and Work
MODULE 2- Nation & Nationalism
MARIA JULIANA D. ENRIQUE/ BSMT-1B

but it often requires nothing more than the obligation to

work in the Philippines for a certain period and share
one's training and experience. This idea may not appeal
to students raised in an environment where education is
considered a right or entitlement, and as they think the
government is corrupt, they may resist the idea of public
service.

The idea of a return service contract has evolved as young

people seek personal growth outside their home
countries, embracing a cosmopolitan ethos that calls
them to set aside narrow loyaltyties to become citizens
of a universal community. This challenges those who
view Rizal's vision as an unfinished task, as they must
continue to rely on strong identification and commitment
to achieve a free, democratic, and prosperous country
while acknowledging that patriotic sentiments may be
harnessed to a bellicose and bigoted nationalism
elsewhere.

While it is true that nationalism is a difficult concept to

use these days, it is precisely because of this globalizing
community that we need such films all the more. Our
country has been lagging behind for the past 50 years in
comparison to our Asian neighbors, and one culprit could
be our lack of national identification. We are too
preoccupied with self-gain that we forget the greater
good. Today, we are allowed to show our love of country
without the need for martyrdom.

What Heneral Luna does is to therefore pose us this

question: this was what your ancestors were willing to do
for their country. What are you willing to do for yours
today?