ADEL, Camille Keven L.

2010 48989

Reaction Paper (re: Veneration)

May 12, 2016
Two Sides of Veneration

I want to initially know how deep was Constaninos Marxism spirit was for him to actually
write the piece in a clearly Marxist way. His views and points were something that I actually find
both questionable and sensible. He wrote his points about Rizal in a way other people would
definitely differently and oppositely write. Though he had pointed out some good ideas and some
weak and strong arguments, his total view of Rizals life and works was really often-times, off
putting, to say the least; or maybe this is just me being a totally pro Rizal talking about these
opinions. However, my opinions do not reflect of the others and I can only speak for myself in
this matter.
Constanitos Veneration sounded to me that it was actually basically about Rizal being
questioned as the Philippines national hero. He stated too many things in lengthy and flowery
words of battles why Rizal is being venerated vainly by Filipinos. I cant blame him for believing
that way and for writing this piece because he is entitled of course for his own life and works. In
addition, I admire his intelligence and courage to actually tackle a lot of focus in his writings. I
guess he just used his capacity to actually try to enlighten people about his beliefs. It is apparent
to every people in my opinion; we, as humans always wanted our voices to be heard and our
ideas to be taken seriously so what he did was just actually human nature taking its part.
Based on the article, however, I think I get the points on the part that Rizal was actually an
American-sponsored hero. Just like what my teacher in PI 10 lecture (Sir Guiwa) told us, he said
that Americans are the type of people that love the idea of heroes or in this case, national hero
for the Philippines. So when the Americans arrived here in the Philippines and found out that the
Philippines isnt what a nation that they imagined of, they tried to push for instilling to the
Filipinos that we needed a national hero as a symbol of savior and strength. So I guess thats
what it meant by the part that Rizal was an American-sponsored hero. It was also stated there that
they also looked at other notable people around that time but they maybe werent perfect for that
description. For example, it was stated that Aguinaldo was too militant to be considered to be a
national hero for the country. Next was Bonifacio who then was stated as too radical, he wasnt
just suitable for the idea. Then lastly was Mabini who was then considered to be unregenerate so
he was slashed off the idea. I think that was something of the Americans out of the ordinary. I
didnt picture them as people like that, maybe because I thought they were strong enough to not
actually need someone as a hero. But when sir Guiwa pointed those things out, it made think and
realized it was actually true.
Constanito also pointed out in the article that Rizals writings were mostly for the elite and
that he was an elite himself. That was stated as it was mainly because of Rizals educational
Page | 1

background, his life, his familys social ranks which made him see fewer glimpse of the masses.
However, I think Rizal knew exactly what was happening and everything he did were for his
family and for the Filipino people.
Dr. Jose Rizal was so much more of what he really is. One would think of him as an elite
savior of our country but he was way more than that. There was more of Rizal than meets the
eye. I think it is normal for some people to question what a man can do; it is a part of human
nature. But for something like Jose Rizal who sacrificed everything just to fight for what he
thought was right, I think people should give him more credit than what he actually gets.
Dr. Jose Rizal might have had different things in his mind during that time; he might have
thought of getting closer to Spain and minimize the sufferings his countrymen get from this
tyrant colonist; he maybe wanted the Philippines to be, somewhat, like a province of Spain still
a colonized country but with better and closer relationship with the mother country. Thoughts
like that probably what Dr. Jose Rizal pondered about thats why he came up with all the
countless writings he published in his lifetime. However, Filipinos got a different message
instead. Rizals works ignited the fire needed to start the Filipinos sense of nationalism and rebel
against the tyrants. They thought of going through bloody wars to get our country and freedom
back. That was indeed a different story Rizal might have hoped for but nonetheless, the outcome
made us modern Filipinos stand on our foot in our own country with freedom.
Did Rizal win his battle? Did the Filipinos win its battle? For me I think Rizal did all the
necessary steps and all the needed precautions for all of this to happen. He hoped for a bright
future for the country and his countrymen. And I think he died with that thinking in his mind. He
knew he did something to make everything fall into their right places.
This makes me really upset of our current situation right now. There is chaos everywhere
though inevitable but still things couldve happen way better than whats currently happening
and a lot of Filipinos are uneducated of the history. I dont know what is wrong with our
textbooks and I wonder who edits and publish them because they arent really aligned of what
the youths should learn these days. Lets take for example, Martial Law. A lot, if not all of
Filipinos know the word Martial Law because it happened to our country a few decades back.
However, the insights of Filipinos on this matter is vastly different; almost in a 50:50 ratio. It
disheartens me to see even teachers these days who defends and are pro martial law and think of
it as the golden era of our past. The Philippines must really remodel its skeleton of education,
republish textbooks with proper history facts, and teach every Filipino to be wise enough if
thats possible. I think if Rizal only knew what would happen, he and the other great heroes of
our nation would, I guess, be disappointed of what the Philippines have become.
Now in conclusion, if people are about to ask me if Rizal is being venerated wrongly? I
dont think so, I guess everything that happened before and everything that he did was all for the
love of the Philippines, his family and for the Filipino masses. He was given the greatest minds
because it will serve a purpose and clearly, it did by a huge hit.
Page | 2