Contributions of Rizal

Jose Rizal wrote El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere, which paved the way for a Filipino uprising against
Spain.

His novels and writing are the only which opened the eyes of all Filipino and gave them the braveness to
strive against.

J. R. was an intellectual. He pushed for reforms and freedom via the pen.

Rizal intellectual is only pushing reforms but not to liberate the Filipinos from freedom or self-governing, he
just wants liberal reforms but still the Philippines will be under the Spanish rule at that time. Not like Andres
Bonifacio, whose idea is total freedom for the Filipino, but for the Aguinaldo, he is the true color of our
present political system, hunger for the power itself and not caring for the people.

Rizal wrote a manifesto that expressed his disapproval of the armed revolution against Spain. He said that
he has always opposed, fought, and made clear that armed revolution was impossible, absurd, and
disastrous. He explained that reforms must "also come from above," because reforms that "come from
below are upheavals both violent and transitory."

He emphasized, however, that like any Filipino, he desired our country’s freedom; and that education and
hard work might make the Filipino people worthy of that freedom. Elsewhere, Rizal wrote: "What is the use
of independence if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow? And no doubt they will, because
whoever submits to tyranny loves it!" For Rizal, "The gift of reason with which we are endowed must be
brightened and utilized” in order to overcome ignorance which causes slavery."

When the Philippine Islands was under the oppressive rule of the Spaniards, his brilliance and dedication to
his country served as inspiration for his fellow Filipino men to fight for their homeland's independence.

Rizal did have thoughts of eventual independence, but never through violent means. He sacrificed his life for
the freedom of our country and became a good example of true nationalism. That’s the reason why he is
the greatest Filipino hero ever lived.

He led the Philippine Independence by fighting for reforms through writings instead of a bloody revolution.
Reform Movement has become an indirect way to our country’s freedom. His novels and writings opened
the eyes of the Filipino people and brought up a new idea called Filipinism. He didn’t use aggression
because it will only invoke a revolution through bloody means. He fought passively and proved that “The
pen is mightier than the sword”. H
He was able to use his intelligence to set forth his beliefs and opinions clearly.

He believed that our freedom can be achieved or can be won without using force and declaring war against
our colonists. He also believed that the children are our hope, that the children will be the one who will seek
and fight for our freedom like the way he did.

He is great because he never used force in fighting the colonists, he used his knowledge and wisdom to
fight them and let them know his feelings.

Dr. Jose Rizal was never afraid to expose the wrong deeds of the colonists, even when he was already
captured and was imprisoned; he never stopped fighting for our freedom and proving that we can do
something to gain the respect we deserve. He proves that we can achieve our goals through perseverance
and use our wisdom and knowledge as our foundation.

He was able to awaken the mind of the people. Even if the Filipinos were scared to fight greedy Spaniards,
Rizal helped us through his faith that we can conquer the Spaniards. He influenced most of our
revolutionary leaders through his writings and articles. Most people believed that Rizal’s greatest legacy is
his love for his country as embodied in his writings and the actions that he took.
He accomplished so much in such a short period of time because he had a vision in his mind and a mission
in his heart. The intensity of such mission and vision translated into action that enabled him not to waste
time in any trivial matters but rather devote all of his time to the accomplishment of the mission and vision
that he believed was given to him.

I salute Rizal for he had faced death with boldness. He had proven the saying goes, " A PEN iS MiGHTiER
THAN THE SWORD. "

Through his works, he wakes the sleeping spirits of Filipinos that physical fighting is the only way to fight for
our independence. He showed that without killing another man we can win. He also demonstrated how the
power of the pen could be stronger than the sword. He also showed how someone could bring about
change without resorting to violence instead of using one’s knowledge.

One of the many reasons why Jose Rizal is the national hero of the Philippines is because he looked far
beyond overthrowing the Spaniards. He was more interested in the long situation of the country after over
throwing Spaniards in our country. This only shows that Rizal is controlled enough to balance his eagerness
to be free for Spaniards and his visuals after being free from the colonizers.
The most important thing that Rizal contributed to every Filipino is his story. A story that tells us that every
one of us must be a good man or a good citizen so that we can help our country to progress.
He fought for freedom in a silent but powerful way.

He used his intelligence, talents and skills in a more peaceful way rather than the aggressive way.

He also used his outstanding intelligence and patriotic character; so he may be able to free his fellowmen
from the wickedness of the dreadful Spanish government.

He started the change for revolution, and although not the advocate, he still paid the ultimate price; death.

Even without making rousing speeches or bold declarations, he was able to stir the people’s inner spirit.

He also showed how someone could bring about change without resorting to violence.

The Katipunan led a full-scale revolutionary war against the Spanish colonial government.

Although Rizal did not push for independence, his writings and execution inspired many to revolt against
Spain. He instilled the sense of nationalism among citizens oppressed by centuries-old Spanish rule.

Being a hero does not matter whether you died in a battlefield or not. Being a hero means dying for what
you believed is true. Jose Rizal died for what he believed.

He proved that a pen is sharper and mightier than a sword for it can deeply incise a person’s heart without
causing any physical damage and can show love for its own contaminated country in a more serene and
appealing way than shedding blood with the use of sword or any harmful weapons. Unlike warriors, an idea
cannot be killed.

The man knew that while they could kill his mortal body, the idea of freedom was forever in the minds of
the people. It was a concept that would burn in the minds of every man. As long as the ideal was burning in
the heart, the death of Rizal would only be in the physical sense. In spirit, he was in every individual.

Rizal fights the Spaniards by using his intelligence and not by his vengeance. His death is the main reason
of all the secret movement in the Philippines to finally come out and fight for its freedom.

A hero could be identified by his noble deeds and integrity, as what Rizal has done and shown to us.
It’s not really all about the writings, it's about Rizal's drive in making the Filipino people realize that we are
not dumb enough to be ruled out by the Spaniards.