Rizal and Bonifacio

Back in high school I was passionate for Bonifacio being the national hero. Rizal for me was too passive and indecisive. But then I eventually saw the wisdom of selecting Rizal as the hero.

For one, he was the only Filipino was was gunned down by the enemy - the Spaniards - in front of everybody in the town plaza, with much fanfare and ceremony. A true-blooded martyr whose death precipitated the revolution. I mean, nothing could be a more ideal death than that. On the other hand, Andres Bonifacio's death showed that even in the Katipunan, back-stabbing and selfishness were rampant. It showed some Filipinos' hunger for power stopped at nothing. Andres Bonifacio was so unfairly treated just because he did not belong to the elite class. And worse, he and his brother were killed by their fellow Filipinos. It does not speak well of our countrymen, does it? It was not Bonifacio's fault but still, it showed our ugly side.

Secondly, Rizal inspires more admiration, not only from Filipinos, but world-wide as well. His novels and letters (particularly the Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, and Mi Ultimo Adios) were so well-written and anger-inspiring that they had moved Filipinos to revolt. He was also so discerning and observant that he saw how the Philippines would be like a hundred years after his death. He rightly predicted that the real stumbling block to the Filipino's self-governance was our lack of love for country. Being a nationalist himself, he was frustrated that many of his compatriots cared only for their own interests instead of the common good. But despite knowing this, he still willingly died for the country's freedom, which is what I admired about him.

Bonifacio, the mover of the Katipunan, was admirable in his chivalry and belief in the goodness of the Filipino. That he carried this belief to a fault, was proven by his untimely and treacherous death.

Rizal and the Katipunan

Whether or not Dr. Jose Rizal was voluntarily involved in the Philippine revolution has been a topic of debate for decades. This is due to the confusing actions and words of Rizal himself with regard to the revolution.

For example, his essay, "The Philippines a Century Hence" states that Filipinos were not yet ready for self-governance because of our lack of love for country (why do I get the feeling it's still true today?). This, as well as Rizal’s membership in the La Solidaridad, the Filipino reformist movement established and held in Spain, would have demonstrated that the national hero wanted assimilation and not separation.

But his personal letters to his friend and mentor, Ferdinand Blumentritt, somewhat hint to the hero’s changing perspectives over time. Meaning, he may have advocated for reforms at first, but seeing Spain’s indifference, he may have realized it was time for a revolution.

Here are excerpts from the letters (credit to Floro Quibuyen, “Rizal and the Revolution”):

January 26, 1887

“A peaceful struggle shall always be a dream, for Spain will never learn the lesson of her South American colonies. Spain cannot learn what England and the United States have learned. But, under the present circumstances, we do not want separation from Spain. All that we ask is greater attention, better education, better government [officials], one or two representatives [in parliament], and greater security for persons and our properties. Spain could always win the appreciation of Filipinos if she were only reasonable. But, quos vult perdere Jupiter, prius dementat!”

February 21, 1887

“The Filipinos had long wished for Hispanization and they were wrong in aspiring for it. It is Spain and not the Philippines who ought to wish for the assimilation of the country.”

December 30, 1891

“Life in the Philippines has become impossible: without courtesy, without virtue, without justice! That is why I think that La Solidaridad is no longer the place to give battle; this is a new fight. I should like to follow your wishes, but I believe that it will all be in vain; the fight is no longer in Madrid. It is all a waste of time.” (Guerrero's translation)

By examining these letters we can easily see Rizal’s increasing frustration in dealing with Spain. His statement “La Solidaridad is no longer the place to give battle” seems to indicate that he had given up on the reformist movement.

More subtle clues of Rizal’s separatist leaning and thus, involvement in the revolution, includes the recruitment method for members of the Katipunan, which mimics Masonry’s triangular recruitment. Bonifacio was not a Mason, but Rizal was.

Also, Mr. Quibuyen states it better, but Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios” showed he was willing to die a martyr for his country. And people, especially those as intelligent and idealistic as Rizal, do not just lay their lives for mere reforms. They are usually only willing to die for nothing less than freedom. That he wrote the “Mi Ultimo Adios” before proudly facing his death, and asked his wife Josephine Bracken to bring it to Bonifacio, indicates that he wanted his death to inspire Filipinos to fight for their freedom.

(I do not want to be repetitive and plagiaristic, so I’m not going to restate Mr. Quibuyen’s arguments regarding “Mi Ultimo Adios”, but his essay "Rizal and the Revolution" is definitely worth reading.)

Politics in the Philippines

Unlike in other countries, Politics isn't a taboo conversation topic. On the contrary, it is a favorite and perhaps the safest topic for most Filipinos. That's because there's no point of contention. I mean, everybody agrees that politicians stink, it's just a matter of who's the least or most evil.

Perhaps the only good thing that politicians are able to do (unwittingly at that!) is unite an otherwise contentious and divisive nation - in disgust against them.

Take GMA, for example. I think she wins hands down as the worst Philippine president ever. Ask any jeepney driver, construction worker, or government employee, and they would agree without hesitation. A vindictive bitch, she purportedly manipulated the supply of rice, making its price double (and making the lives of impoverished Filipinos more unbearable than it already is). She did this allegedly for the purpose of making the people forget about the ZTE scandal. It was a master-stroke because the "lack" of rice quickly hugged the headlines and relegated the scandals to the sidelines.

But what about the people's welfare? Well, it should already be obvious that she doesn't care about us. Only history would be able to avenge the Filipinos against her.