The three (3) values of Dr. Jose Rizal that made him the Filipinos' hero

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The saying 'not all heroes wear capes' is indeed true anyway. And this saying is exemplified among Philippine heroes, particularly in the life of works of the late Philippine hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. 

In this article, we'll discuss the values of Dr. Jose Rizal that made him a Philippine hero. Aside from the three values, we'll also discuss the other qualities of Dr. Jose Rizal that are worth -emulating particularly by the Filipino youth. 

But how do heroes are made? What are the qualities of a person to be proclaimed a hero? In the Philippines, Filipino heroes have common values that they possess. And the country's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal had these qualities that made him a hero. 

In this blog post, we'll discuss the three (3) distinct virtues of Dr. Jose Rizal that made him the Filipinos' hero. 

Dr. Jose Rizal is known across the globe for his values of bravery, martyrdom, and patriotism. But what many people don't know is that there are other values of Dr. Jose Rizal that set him apart from the country’s other heroes. 

Compassion. Dr. Jose Rizal was a helpful person. He had a big heart to help his countrymen in need. Indeed, his exile to Dapitan was a blessing in disguise. It was his golden opportunity to help his countrymen in Dapitan.

During his exile, he helped the people of Dapitan with social services like building water sources, building informal schools, and treating his sick countrymen. His being a medical doctor enabled Jose Rizal to help the people of Dapitan. 

Patriotism. In the simplest term, patriotism is one's love for his country and countrymen. Patriotism is a common virtue among Philippine war heroes, including Dr. Jose Rizal. This virtue was proven when the country's war heroes bravely fought the colonizers. 

Hyperpolyglot/linguist. This value of Dr. Rizal is what set him apart from the other Philippine heroes. He could speak and write many different languages, foremost of which is Spanish language which he primarily used in his literary pieces. 

Dr. Rizal was also a well-traveled man. He had been to different countries around the world. His stay in the other countries enabled him to acquire the native languages. 

His knowledge of different languages also enabled him to effectively converse with different beautiful women and eventually these women had been romantically linked to him. 

Literary writer. No doubt Rizal was an excellent literary writer. He had written a number of literary pieces of various genres. His novel `` Noli Mi

Tangere'' and " El Filibusterismo " have gained global prominence and appreciation. These two novels were written and directed toward social abuses and inequality committed by the colonizers in the country. 

Romantic. Unknown to many people, Dr. Jose Rizal also had his soft side. Human as he was, Rizal did not hide his emotional vulnerability. At the young age of 35, the country's national hero had been romantically linked to several women. 

These women are beautiful and of different breeds and nationalities. He met and established romantic relationships with these women during his stay in their countries. Among the qualities mentioned, there are three values of Dr. Jose Rizal that have helped him become the country's national hero. 

1. Bravery. Bravery is a common virtue among heroes, be it among Filipinos or other nationalities. This particular virtue of hero is exemplified in different ways and situations. 

In the case of Dr. Jose Rizal, he exemplified his bravery in his fight against the colonizers along with the country’s war heroes. Faced with imminent death, Jose Rizal never backed down from his fight. He showed his bravery until his very last breath. Dr. Jose Rizal died a very brave and martyr person. 

2. Literary genius. Dr. Jose Rizal, no doubt, was a literary genius. Short stories, poems, and novels are just some of the literary genres authored by Jose Rizal. These literary pieces are mostly in the Spanish language. In his literary

writings, Rizal vented his sentiments and grievances against social injustices in the country under the colonizers. 

Among the country's national heroes, he was only one of the few who fought against the foreign rule in a nonviolent manner. Using his linguistic performance, Dr. Jose Rizal had written literary pieces directed toward colonizers. 

3. Patriotism. Last but not least is Dr. Jose Rizal's virtue of patriotism. Like bravery, patriotism is another common virtue among Philippine heroes. The country's heroes manifested their patriotism in defending the country and its countrymen. Fared against numerically superior and well-armed foreign enemies, the Filipino heroes bravely fought until their last breath. 

The young Filipinos risked their young lives defending their beloved country and their countrymen against invaders. Fighting and dying for one's beloved country is a testament to one's patriotism. 

Who should be the country's hero? 

Many decades have passed since his tragic death, yet the debates on who should be the country's national hero are still a hot topic in the country among Filipinos. 

Hailed as the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal is being compared with the country’s war heroes like Emilio Aguinaldo, Andres Bonifacio, and other prominent Philippine war heroes.

His being the country’s national hero has caused divisiveness among Filipinos when it comes to who should have been the country's national hero. 

Every Filipino has his own preference for national heroes. There are Filipinos who are in favor of Dr. Jose Rizal as their hero. While there are also Filipinos who are in favor of other Filipino heroes. 

Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, and other prominent heroes were also preferred by other Filipinos that should have been their heroes. Jose Rizal may not be a perfect hero. Being human, he has his own imperfections and shortcomings in his life and works. 

But one thing is for sure, Dr. Jose Rizal's love for his country and countrymen is immeasurable. Faced with looming death, the country's national hero never showed regret in defending the Filipinos from oppression and inequality by the colonizers. 

Inspiration to the youth 

" Youth is the hope of the future," is a testament to Dr. Jose Rizal's fervent hope for young Filipinos. The life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal have inspired a lot of people not just Filipinos but also of other nationalities. 

His love for his country and countrymen is beyond measure that he risked and sacrificed his young life to the Filipinos.


Rizal’s hope for the youth 

Unfortunately, the young Filipinos never live up to the hope of the country's national hero. Despite the integration of history subjects in the curriculum, some of today's Filipino youth could not even recognize some of the country's heroes.

Pictures are taken from the towns of Alcoy and San Fernando Cebu, Philippines 

Trivia: 

How old is Dr. Jose Rizal this year 2022?

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