"Not only is Rizal the most prominent man of his own people but the greatest man the Malayan race has produced. " -Ferdinand Blumentritt, 1897. About 111 years ago in the grounds of Luneta Manila, Spanish authorities shot a man. A man who was about to change the course of Philippine history, a man we know today as Jose Rizal. Tomorrow we are once again commemorating the death anniversary of this great man. What was Jose Rizal’s greatest legacy? Why was he chosen to become our national hero ? For most people they believe that Jose Rizal was rightly chosen to become a national hero because he influenced most of our revolutionary leaders through his writings and example although other people believe that he should only be declared a hero not “The national hero.” Most people believed that Rizal’s greatest legacy is his love for his country as embodied in his writings and the actions that he took. I remember taking up a “Rizal” course in college, which was a requirement in order … [Read more...]