Comments on: The Rizal Cult: On How Filipinos Created Their National Hero http://emanila.com/philippines/2009/08/25/the-rizal-cult-on-how-filipinos-created-their-national-hero/ Historical Notes. Essays. Commentaries. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:58:15 +1100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Jon E. Royeca http://emanila.com/philippines/2009/08/25/the-rizal-cult-on-how-filipinos-created-their-national-hero/comment-page-1/#comment-1188 Jon E. Royeca Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:11:11 +0000 http://emanila.com/philippines/?p=77#comment-1188 "Rizal cult" means the tradition of honoring Rizal as our country's greatest and national hero. It is not new. It has been around since the 1880's, and it was Andres Bonifacio himself who founded it. What do you mean by "rizaliana"? A Rizalist? A "Rizalist" means a student of "Rizaliana" (writings and other things related to Rizal). While a "Rizalista" is a member of one of those many religious groups that deify Rizal as the "Brown Jesus." The Philippine Revolution of 1896-98 was a revolution of the Filipino people, and since it was so, it nurtured many principles and causes, like land reform; expulsion of the Spanish officials, friars, and soldiers; civil liberties; and of course, absolute independence. It was the final argument of the Filipinos then, because after pleading for reforms in the government, the clergy, education, the military, and other sectors of society, the Spanish colonial government answered by exiling, imprisoning, or executing all those who sought any new and bold ideas. Rizal did not want to die in 1896. As a matter of fact, he fought for his survival by condemning before the Spanish military court the Revolution, although he knew very well that his writings were the ones which inflamed that uprising. “Rizal cult” means the tradition of honoring Rizal as our country’s greatest and national hero. It is not new. It has been around since the 1880’s, and it was Andres Bonifacio himself who founded it.

What do you mean by “rizaliana”? A Rizalist? A “Rizalist” means a student of “Rizaliana” (writings and other things related to Rizal). While a “Rizalista” is a member of one of those many religious groups that deify Rizal as the “Brown Jesus.”

The Philippine Revolution of 1896-98 was a revolution of the Filipino people, and since it was so, it nurtured many principles and causes, like land reform; expulsion of the Spanish officials, friars, and soldiers; civil liberties; and of course, absolute independence. It was the final argument of the Filipinos then, because after pleading for reforms in the government, the clergy, education, the military, and other sectors of society, the Spanish colonial government answered by exiling, imprisoning, or executing all those who sought any new and bold ideas.

Rizal did not want to die in 1896. As a matter of fact, he fought for his survival by condemning before the Spanish military court the Revolution, although he knew very well that his writings were the ones which inflamed that uprising.

]]> By: eugene codiamat http://emanila.com/philippines/2009/08/25/the-rizal-cult-on-how-filipinos-created-their-national-hero/comment-page-1/#comment-1168 eugene codiamat Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:38:07 +0000 http://emanila.com/philippines/?p=77#comment-1168 hmmm ... am i learning new but why? they call it rizal cult. is this the beginning of sacred devotion to rizal. honestly, this is my first time to read about rizal cult. pardon me but is this a sign that the writer is "rizaliana"? i was under the impression that rebellion is triggered by taxation but organizers used "spanish abuses" to get the the symphaty of the people...also andres bonifacio like land reforms but hacienderos supporting emilio aguinaldo doesn't like land reform... you know what happened. after revolution same people own the land and katipuneros do same before revolution that is work in the farm.who are the officers of revolution?...is it not sons of hacienderos. i guess he knew this coming that's why he chooses to die with spanish bullet than pinoy's machete. his stay in dapitan could have spark sentiments to young ones he tutored in his brief stay. compare that to this day. any similirarity? peace be with us just a thought ... no offense intended. "ilawnawa" hmmm … am i learning new but why? they call it rizal cult.
is this the beginning of sacred devotion to rizal. honestly,
this is my first time to read about rizal cult. pardon me
but is this a sign that the writer is “rizaliana”?
i was under the impression that rebellion is triggered by
taxation but organizers used “spanish abuses” to get the
the symphaty of the people…also andres bonifacio like
land reforms but hacienderos supporting emilio aguinaldo
doesn’t like land reform… you know what happened.
after revolution same people own the land and katipuneros
do same before revolution that is work in the farm.who are the officers of revolution?…is it not sons of hacienderos.
i guess he knew this coming that’s why he chooses to die with spanish bullet than pinoy’s machete. his stay in dapitan could have spark sentiments to young ones he tutored in his brief stay.

compare that to this day. any similirarity? peace be with us
just a thought … no offense intended. “ilawnawa”

]]> By: Jon E. Royeca http://emanila.com/philippines/2009/08/25/the-rizal-cult-on-how-filipinos-created-their-national-hero/comment-page-1/#comment-1094 Jon E. Royeca Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:02:53 +0000 http://emanila.com/philippines/?p=77#comment-1094 I agree with you, Rocky. The Spaniards called it a Tagalog uprising to also diminish it, but history has it that it was not only a Luzon activity. The Visayans also fought under the Katipunan ideals and then under Aguinaldo's government, while those in Mindanao joined later on, during the Fil-Am War (which was the grand continuation of the 1896 uprising). Thanks for the comments Pepe Alas and Rocky Sarmiento. I agree with you, Rocky. The Spaniards called it a Tagalog uprising to also diminish it, but history has it that it was not only a Luzon activity. The Visayans also fought under the Katipunan ideals and then under Aguinaldo’s government, while those in Mindanao joined later on, during the Fil-Am War (which was the grand continuation of the 1896 uprising).
Thanks for the comments Pepe Alas and Rocky Sarmiento.

]]> By: Jon E. Royeca http://emanila.com/philippines/2009/08/25/the-rizal-cult-on-how-filipinos-created-their-national-hero/comment-page-1/#comment-1093 Jon E. Royeca Sun, 29 Nov 2009 02:56:40 +0000 http://emanila.com/philippines/?p=77#comment-1093 It was Bonifacio and the Katipunan that started the tradition of making Rizal as their principal idol and hero. They used Rizal's name as a password and war-cry; they had pictures of Rizal in their meeting places; and Bonifacio declared Rizal as "our most beloved countryman" right after Rizal's execution. The Central Filipino Committee's declaration of Rizal as the country's greatest hero was made under the auspices of Aguinaldo's government; was made official with Aguinaldo's declaration on Dec. 20, 1898, making Dec. 30 a National Day of mourning (national -- throughout the archipelago), in honor of Rizal and other Filipino patriots; and was celebrated on Dec. 30, 1898, in various parts of the country -- not just in the Tagalog provinces. The American Occupation just continued what the Filipinos had already begun. It was Bonifacio and the Katipunan that started the tradition of making Rizal as their principal idol and hero. They used Rizal’s name as a password and war-cry; they had pictures of Rizal in their meeting places; and Bonifacio declared Rizal as “our most beloved countryman” right after Rizal’s execution.
The Central Filipino Committee’s declaration of Rizal as the country’s greatest hero was made under the auspices of Aguinaldo’s government; was made official with Aguinaldo’s declaration on Dec. 20, 1898, making Dec. 30 a National Day of mourning (national — throughout the archipelago), in honor of Rizal and other Filipino patriots; and was celebrated on Dec. 30, 1898, in various parts of the country — not just in the Tagalog provinces.
The American Occupation just continued what the Filipinos had already begun.

]]> By: Philippine Studies section attracts students and commenters « emanila community blog http://emanila.com/philippines/2009/08/25/the-rizal-cult-on-how-filipinos-created-their-national-hero/comment-page-1/#comment-1089 Philippine Studies section attracts students and commenters « emanila community blog Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:21:47 +0000 http://emanila.com/philippines/?p=77#comment-1089 [...] We have also serious commenting like this on the article: The Rizal Cult: On How Filipinos Created Their National Hero [...] [...] We have also serious commenting like this on the article: The Rizal Cult: On How Filipinos Created Their National Hero [...]

]]> By: Philippine Studies site attracts youth and commenters http://emanila.com/philippines/2009/08/25/the-rizal-cult-on-how-filipinos-created-their-national-hero/comment-page-1/#comment-1087 Philippine Studies site attracts youth and commenters Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:57:18 +0000 http://emanila.com/philippines/?p=77#comment-1087 [...] We have also serious commenting like this on the article: The Rizal Cult: On How Filipinos Created Their National Hero [...] [...] We have also serious commenting like this on the article: The Rizal Cult: On How Filipinos Created Their National Hero [...]

]]> By: Philippines Studies section attracts students and commentators : emanila portal http://emanila.com/philippines/2009/08/25/the-rizal-cult-on-how-filipinos-created-their-national-hero/comment-page-1/#comment-1081 Philippines Studies section attracts students and commentators : emanila portal Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:56:10 +0000 http://emanila.com/philippines/?p=77#comment-1081 [...] We have also serious commenting like this on the article: The Rizal Cult: On How Filipinos Created Their National Hero [...] [...] We have also serious commenting like this on the article: The Rizal Cult: On How Filipinos Created Their National Hero [...]

]]> By: Rocky Sarmiento http://emanila.com/philippines/2009/08/25/the-rizal-cult-on-how-filipinos-created-their-national-hero/comment-page-1/#comment-1077 Rocky Sarmiento Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:05:42 +0000 http://emanila.com/philippines/?p=77#comment-1077 Why the Spanish Government called the Philippine revolution a "Tagalog War" was understandable. One, the seat of the Spanish Government in the Philippines was located in a Tagalog-speaking region. Two, perhaps they did not realize that the revolution was already widespread. Three, even if they realized the magnitude of the "rebellion", still it was politically expedient for the Spanish Government to call it as a "Tagalog War" in order to give the impression that the revolution was only a mutiny and a revolt and did not involve other parts of the country. More than 100 years later and after all the history lessons taught to us, to still claim that the Philippine revolution is a "Tagalog revolution" is an insult to the intelligence and to the patriotism of the non-Tagalogs and to those in other parts of the Philippines who took part in the revolution. The first eight provinces were not all Tagalog-based. Have a look at this list: Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac. And then, you can also ask: Didn't the Ilocos region participate in the revolution? Why the Spanish Government called the Philippine revolution a “Tagalog War” was understandable. One, the seat of the Spanish Government in the Philippines was located in a Tagalog-speaking region. Two, perhaps they did not realize that the revolution was already widespread. Three, even if they realized the magnitude of the “rebellion”, still it was politically expedient for the Spanish Government to call it as a “Tagalog War” in order to give the impression that the revolution was only a mutiny and a revolt and did not involve other parts of the country.

More than 100 years later and after all the history lessons taught to us, to still claim that the Philippine revolution is a “Tagalog revolution” is an insult to the intelligence and to the patriotism of the non-Tagalogs and to those in other parts of the Philippines who took part in the revolution. The first eight provinces were not all Tagalog-based. Have a look at this list: Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac. And then, you can also ask: Didn’t the Ilocos region participate in the revolution?

]]> By: Pepe Alas http://emanila.com/philippines/2009/08/25/the-rizal-cult-on-how-filipinos-created-their-national-hero/comment-page-1/#comment-1075 Pepe Alas Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:34:33 +0000 http://emanila.com/philippines/?p=77#comment-1075 It is true that Filipinos already "venerated" Rizal even before Taft's declaration. However, the declaration of the Central Filipino Committee in Hong Kong hailing Rizal as the greatest patriot of the Filipino people wasn't made known throughout the whole archipelago. Theirs was purely a Tagalog revolution (as evidenced by the first eight provinces which rebelled against Spain). The whole country didn't approve of their rebellion. Thus when they declared Rizal as the greatest hero of the country, the rest of the Filipinos weren't even aware of it. But the American Occupation did all possible dissemination of its declaration of Rizal as the national hero. It is true that Filipinos already “venerated” Rizal even before Taft’s declaration. However, the declaration of the Central Filipino Committee in Hong Kong hailing Rizal as the greatest patriot of the Filipino people wasn’t made known throughout the whole archipelago. Theirs was purely a Tagalog revolution (as evidenced by the first eight provinces which rebelled against Spain). The whole country didn’t approve of their rebellion. Thus when they declared Rizal as the greatest hero of the country, the rest of the Filipinos weren’t even aware of it. But the American Occupation did all possible dissemination of its declaration of Rizal as the national hero.

]]>