Besides being dubbed as the nation’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal was an individual whose dreams and aspirations were centered on the welfare of the country and its people; he unrelentingly strived for independence and reforms during cruel times of oppression and maltreatment. Due to this, he dedicated his very life for such a purpose, and to willingly undertake a trek to achieve such a vision – which was ultimately fulfilled thanks to his sacrifice – it was apparent that he was a person of honorable qualities and character.
In line with the St. Edward School’s character formation of their students, founded on the values of Faith, Integrity, Stewardship, and Hard work (FISH), the aspects of Jose Rizal’s life and ambition seem to be reflective of such principles. Through analyzing various accounts and facts regarding his personality, one can arrive in this apparent conclusion, which we will undertake.
Firstly, Dr. Jose Rizal was a man of extraordinary faith. As per the University of Rizal System, an educational site, Rizal was said to assure his mother of his trust in God during his academic years in Madrid, Spain from 1882 to 1885. Additionally, on the death of his sister Olympia after childbirth when he arrived in the Philippines from Europe in August 1887, he once remarked, “I console myself saying that it was the will of God and what He does must be the best.” Through his evident belief in God in the face of such daunting circumstances, he has shown admirable levels of Faith that even some of us are incapable of.
Moreover, Rizal was also a man of Integrity. Integrity is defined by the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries as a “consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values.” From an individual who refused the offer of revolutionaries to rescue him just to accept his fate and see his morals through, our national hero is undoubtedly an individual who did not betray himself; he was a person who would not prefer anything less. Even in the face of imprisonment, trial, and execution, he stayed true and fought for what was honorable until the very end.
Furthermore, Dr. Jose Rizal is a prime example of true Stewardship. Being a steward means to offer and commit oneself to purposes that encompass self-benefit, and it would hence be illogical to speak of Rizal as an individual who is not. He saw what the times called for, and instead of becoming an artist or a teacher, as he had once remarked, he strove to become a political novelist against Spanish colonial rule to better serve his nation and the people. He stood up for those who could not, spoke for those who could not, and fought the battles for those who could not. He even went on to write to his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt: “Our youth should not devote themselves to love or to the static speculative sciences as do the youth of fortunate nations. All of us have to sacrifice something on the altar of politics though we might not wish to do so.” This is a perfect description of the stewardship philosophy he applied to himself.
Lastly, Hard work. Our national hero went to great lengths to achieve his ambitions for our nation. He underwent harsh living conditions just to publish his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, he continued his studies abroad for many years, and he was forced to cope with the consequences and risks of publishing and dispersing his works to the Filipino folk. He continued to strive and endure the obstacles that presented themselves continuously, yet he remained persevering. He was truly passionate for the sake of the nation, and he went to great lengths and efforts because of it.
In essence, Dr. Jose Rizal will continue to be a name that the Philippines will remember over the course of history. After all, it is a fact December 30 is a holiday that was our first, and is up until now, our oldest death anniversary holiday. Rest assured that we will continue to honor him and the major influence he had brought upon our nation. It is hoped that through him, the generations of today will come to develop the same love for our country and cultivate the similar FISH values that Rizal himself showed.
“I want to show to those who deprive people the right to love of country, that when we know how to sacrifice ourselves for our duties and convictions, death does not matter if one dies for those one loves – for his country and for others dear to him.” - José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
