His name can be found in almost all corners of the Philippines. Roads, schools and even a province are named after him. His image can be found in peso bills and coins. Monuments are erected in his name (foremost of this can be found in Rizal Park in Manila). These are manifestations of the country’s reverence accorded to Jose Rizal as a national hero.

Why is Rizal a national hero? What are his contributions to Philippine history that makes him preeminent among other Filipino heroes? Here are some of the reasons Rizal is a national hero of the Philippines.

In late 19th Century, Rizal became the voice of a people long oppressed by centuries-old Spanish rule. As an educated man, he was exposed to some of the abuses by Spanish friars and government officials. As a founder and member of the La Liga Filipina, he originally pushed for reforms of Spanish colonial rule.

He wrote Noli Me Tangere and El Felibusterismo. Although fictional, the novels described the abuses committed by Spanish officials against the locals. Alarmed over the threat posed by the two novels, angry Spanish officials pushed for Rizal’s arrest and exile in Dapitan.

While exiled in Dapitan, Rizal devoted himself to improving the conditions of people in Dapitan.

During this time, the concept of “Filipino” was taking shape among the inhabitants of the islands. Before, society was divided among Spanish citizens and indios (locals). Some began to form nationalistic ideas. Rizal’s two novels inspired locals to call not for Spanish government reforms but for independence from Spain.

This alarmed the Spanish colonial government. In 1896, Rizal was executed in Bagumbayan (Rizal Park) on charges of sedition and treason. The execution did not prevent the calls for independence to stop. The Katipunan led a full scale revolutionary war against the Spanish colonial government.

Although Rizal did not push for independence, his writings and execution inspired many to revolt against Spain. This is the primary reason Jose Rizal is a national hero. He instilled the sense of nationalism among citizens oppressed by centuries-old Spanish rule.

Rizal did not advocate for armed struggle. He is the epitome of the saying “The pen is mightier than the sword.” He was also a learned man who pushed for the emancipation of the people through education. He advocated for equal rights be accorded to locals and not just limited to Spanish colonials. And finally, he was a martyr that stood for his beliefs.