Jose Rizal, we always think of our national hero as someone who believed in the power of pen rather of the sword. He fought for our country's freedom through his writings, unlike other heroes who literally raised their bolos and itaks just to have the independence we are experiencing right now. And since elementary school, we are taught to observe and celebrate Rizal's contribution to Philippines' Independence through commemorating his writings and death embedded in the school curriculum. In high school, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, the two powerful novel of Rizal were also discussed. Life and works of Jose Rizal were imposed on students in college. Truly, being a national hero is rewarding and poses as a figure for modeling nationalism and patriotism. People, especially the youth, are encourage to look up to Jose Rizal. .
However, criticisms follow and question Rizal's title of being the national hero. One of those who deconstructed the credibility of Rizal was Renato Constantino. In his essay "Veneration without Understanding," he analyzed the real story behind the process of Rizal's being the national hero. Facets such as Rizal's condemnation of revolution, his views regarding liberty and independence and how he conceptualized being "Filipino" which did not appear on any history books that we have were tackled. The author asserted that Rizal condemned revolution and his reality of what is independence and freedom was different from what were reflected on the textbooks. Constantino is saying that Rizal's qualifications of being our national hero are somehow questionable and unclear. And there are other "heroes" who really fought tooth by tooth for our country and are far better contenders for the title "national hero." Rizal's nationalistic intentions were questionable. He only was given the title because of the influence of the Americans.
