RIZAL AS AN AMERICAN SPONSORED HERO | PART 2

Maestro Gaming

25 Oct 202310:23

Summary

TLDRThis discussion delves into the concept of Philippine nationalism and the portrayal of national heroes, focusing on Dr. Jose Rizal. It critiques the American colonial influence in promoting Rizal as a national hero, contrasting him with other figures like Emilio Aguinaldo, Andres Bonifacio, and Apolinario Mabini. The talk highlights the establishment of Rizal Province, the allocation of land for a Rizal monument, and the declaration of Rizal Day. It also mentions President Aguinaldo's decree recognizing Rizal's death anniversary as a national day of mourning. The discussion questions the legality of Rizal's hero status and sets the stage for further exploration of the criteria for national heroism.

Takeaways

😀 The discussion revolves around the concept of Philippine nationalism and the heroes who embody it, particularly focusing on the debate about whether Rizal is an American-sponsored hero.
🏛️ William Howard Taft, the head of the Second Philippine Commission, is identified as a promoter of Rizal's recognition as a national hero, possibly without fully understanding his ideas.
🌟 The Second Philippine Commission, composed of American and Filipino commissioners, played a role in shaping the early American rule of the Philippines and in the selection of heroes.
📜 Acts 137, 234, and 345 were legislative steps taken by the Americans to honor Dr. Jose Rizal, despite no law officially declaring him a national hero.
🗺️ Act 137 established the province of Rizal, which was formerly part of Manila, highlighting the geographical significance of Rizal's name in the Philippines.
🗽 Act 234 allocated land for the construction of a monument to Dr. Rizal in Luneta, indicating a form of recognition and commemoration by the American colonial government.
📅 Act 345 declared December 30th as Rizal Day, institutionalizing the commemoration of Rizal's execution and his contributions to Philippine nationalism.
🎖️ Other Filipino heroes like Emilio Aguinaldo, Andres Bonifacio, and Apolinario Mabini were considered but were deemed unsuitable due to their militant, radical, or unregenerate natures.
🇵🇭 President Emilio Aguinaldo of the revolutionary government issued a decree recognizing December 30 as the anniversary of Rizal's death and a national day of mourning for other martyrs.
🏢 The American colonial government and the revolutionary government both took steps to honor Rizal, although the methods and motivations differed significantly.

Q & A

Who is William Howard Taft and what was his role in promoting Rizal as a national hero?
-William Howard Taft was the head of the Second Philippine Commission, also known as the Top Commission. He played a significant role in promoting Dr. Jose Rizal as a national hero of the Philippines, alongside two Filipino commissioners, Trinidad Pardo de Tavera and Jose Luzuriaga.
Why did the American colonial officials and conservative Filipinos consider Rizal over other contenders like Aguinaldo, Bonifacio, and Mabini?
-Rizal was chosen over other contenders because he was seen as a moderate hero. Emilio Aguinaldo was considered too militant, Andres Bonifacio too radical, and Apolinario Mabini unregenerate. Rizal's intellectual and peaceful approach to defending his country was more palatable to the American colonial authorities.
What is the significance of Act 137, Act 234, and Act 345 in relation to Dr. Jose Rizal?
-Act 137 created the province of Rizal on June 11, 1901. Act 234 allocated land for the establishment of a monument to Dr. Rizal in Luneta, enacted on September 28, 1901. Act 345 declared December 30 of each year as Rizal Day, enacted on February 1, 1902.
Why was there no law passed by the Americans to officially recognize Rizal as a national hero?
-Despite the recognition of Rizal's significance through various acts and initiatives, there was no specific law passed by the Americans to legally declare Dr. Jose Rizal as a national hero of the Philippines.
What did President Emilio Aguinaldo's decree on December 20, 1898, state regarding Rizal's memory?
-President Emilio Aguinaldo's decree declared December 30 as the anniversary of Rizal's death and a national day of mourning, not only to commemorate Rizal's death but also to honor other Filipino martyrs who fought against Spanish tyranny.
What was the instruction regarding the flag on December 29, as per Aguinaldo's decree?
-According to Aguinaldo's decree, on December 29 at noon, the government flags should be flown at half-mast as a sign of respect for the death of Dr. Jose Rizal and other victims during Spanish tyranny.
Why was Emilio Aguinaldo initially rejected as a national hero by the American colonial officials?
-Emilio Aguinaldo was initially rejected as a national hero because he was seen as too militant and resistant to surrendering to the Americans. He was only considered after he was captured by American forces and officially surrendered in April 1901.
What was the reason behind the rejection of Andres Bonifacio as a national hero?
-Andres Bonifacio was considered too radical and militant, being the leader of the Katipunan, which was a revolutionary society. The American colonial officials feared that choosing him as a national hero might encourage further resistance and violence among the Filipinos.
Why was Apolinario Mabini not chosen as a national hero by the American colonial officials?
-Apolinario Mabini was not chosen as a national hero because he was seen as unregenerate and had refused to surrender to the American authorities. He was also imprisoned and only surrendered in 1903, which contributed to his rejection as a national hero.
What is the significance of Rizal Day as declared by Act 345?
-Rizal Day, as declared by Act 345, is significant as it commemorates the life and death of Dr. Jose Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines. It serves as a day to honor his contributions to Philippine nationalism and his fight for the country's freedom.

Outlines

00:00

📜 The Debate on Rizal's Heroism

The first paragraph delves into a discussion about Philippine nationalism and the heroes who embody its ideals. It introduces the debate on whether Dr. Jose Rizal is an American-sponsored hero. The narrative suggests that William Howard Taft, the head of the Second Philippine Commission, and two Filipino commissioners, Trinidad Pardo de Tavera and Jose Luzuriaga, were instrumental in promoting Rizal as the national hero over other contenders like Emilio Aguinaldo, Andres Bonifacio, and Apolinario Mabini. The reasons for choosing Rizal were his intellectual approach to defending his country without resorting to violence, which was seen as a preferable model for a national hero.

05:00

🏛️ Acts in Honor of Rizal's Legacy

The second paragraph discusses the absence of a law officially declaring Rizal a national hero, yet it acknowledges the steps taken by the Americans to honor him. These steps include Act 137, which created the province of Rizal, Act 234, which allocated land for a Rizal monument in Luneta, and Act 345, declaring December 30 as Rizal Day. The paragraph also contrasts these American initiatives with the actions of the revolutionary government under President Aguinaldo, who issued a decree recognizing December 30 as the anniversary of Rizal's death and a national day of mourning for Rizal and other Filipino martyrs who fought against Spanish tyranny.

10:00

🔍 Criteria for National Heroism

The third paragraph teases the upcoming discussion in part three, which will focus on the criteria for being considered a national hero. It sets the stage for a deeper exploration of what qualifies an individual to be revered as a national hero, hinting at the complexities and nuances involved in such a designation.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Philippine nationalism

Philippine nationalism refers to the advocacy and support for the interests of the Filipino people, often emphasizing the importance of national identity, culture, and sovereignty. In the video, this concept is central as it discusses how figures like Rizal are perceived as national heroes, embodying the ideals and aspirations of the Filipino nation.

💡Rizal

Rizal, short for Dr. Jose Rizal, is a Filipino polymath and revolutionary who is considered one of the national heroes of the Philippines. The video discusses the debate around Rizal's status as a national hero, particularly in the context of American colonialism and the different perspectives on his role in Philippine history.

💡American sponsored Hero

The term 'American sponsored Hero' suggests that the recognition of a figure as a national hero is influenced or controlled by American interests. In the video, it is argued that Rizal was promoted as a national hero by American colonial authorities, possibly to align with their political objectives rather than purely based on his merits as a revolutionary.

💡William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft was an American statesman who served as the 27th President of the United States and later as the 10th Chief Justice of the United States. In the context of the video, Taft is mentioned as a promoter of Rizal as a national hero, highlighting the American influence in shaping Philippine historical narratives.

💡Second Philippine Commission

The Second Philippine Commission, also known as the Taft Commission, was a group of American and Filipino officials tasked with drafting legislation for the Philippines during the early years of American rule. The video mentions this commission in relation to the establishment of laws and the promotion of certain historical figures, including Rizal.

💡Emilio Aguinaldo

Emilio Aguinaldo was a Filipino revolutionary leader and president of the Tagalog Republic. The video discusses how Aguinaldo was considered too militant by American colonial authorities and was therefore not chosen as a national hero, despite his significant role in the Philippine Revolution.

💡Andres Bonifacio

Andres Bonifacio was a Filipino revolutionary leader and is often referred to as the 'Father of the Philippine Revolution.' The video explains that Bonifacio was deemed too radical by American colonial authorities, which influenced the decision not to promote him as a national hero.

💡Apolinario Mabini

Apolinario Mabini was a Filipino political philosopher and revolutionary who served as the first Prime Minister of the Republic of the Philippines. The video mentions that Mabini was not chosen as a national hero by American colonial authorities, possibly due to his staunch resistance to American rule.

💡Act 137, Act 234, and Act 345

These acts were legislative measures by the American colonial government in the Philippines. Act 137 created the province of Rizal, Act 234 allocated land for a Rizal monument, and Act 345 declared Rizal Day. These acts are highlighted in the video as steps taken by the Americans to recognize Rizal's significance, even without officially declaring him a national hero through law.

💡Rizal Day

Rizal Day is a Philippine holiday commemorating the execution of Dr. Jose Rizal. The video explains that December 30 was declared Rizal Day by American colonial authorities, marking a significant step in the recognition of Rizal's heroism. This day is observed with various activities to honor Rizal's sacrifice and contributions to the country.

Highlights

Discussion about Philippine nationalism, heroes, and their ideas, focusing on Rizal's status as a national hero.

William Howard Taft, the promoter of Rizal as a national hero, based on veneration without understanding, according to Renato Constantino.

Second Philippine Commission, composed of American and Filipino commissioners, played a role in Rizal's recognition.

Rizal was chosen over other contenders like Aguinaldo, Bonifacio, and Mabini due to their perceived militancy and radicalism.

Emilio Aguinaldo was deemed unsuitable for his resistance to American rule.

Andres Bonifacio was considered too radical and militant for a role model.

Apolinario Mabini was rejected for his refusal to surrender and his perceived unrepentant nature.

Dr. Jose Rizal was chosen for his intellectual and peaceful approach to defending the Filipino people.

Legal recognition of Rizal as a national hero is not present, as no law was passed by the Americans to declare him as such.

Act 137 created the province of Rizal, formerly the province of Manila, to honor Rizal.

Act 234 allocated land for the establishment of a Rizal monument in Luneta.

Act 345 declared December 30 as Rizal Day, commemorating his martyrdom.

President Aguinaldo of the revolutionary government issued a decree recognizing December 30 as Rizal's death anniversary.

The decree also called for a national day of mourning, honoring Rizal and other Filipino martyrs who defended the nation against Spanish tyranny.

On December 29, flags were to be flown at half-mast as a sign of respect for Rizal and other victims.

December 30 was declared a government holiday to mourn Rizal's death.

Upcoming part 3 of the discussion will focus on the criteria for being considered a national hero.