Bryan D. Perez
BSIT – 612
Bonifacio should be National Hero
As a lot of you know, until know, historians are still arguing on who was our national
hero, Bonifacio or Rizal. Some people side on Bonifacio, some people side on Rizal. In
my opinion, Bonifacio should be the National Hero. Why? Both died for their country,
that's true. Do not think it's because Rizal fought with a pen and Bonifacio fought with a
sword. No, it is not that. For me, to be a National Hero, yes, you have to look at what
they did, but more importantly, you have to look at their goal.
Bonifacio was born on Nov. 30, 1863, in Tondo, Manila. Unlike Rizal, Bonifacio did not
finish his education. However, despite this limitation and condition, he exhibited a
natural intelligence and sense of leadership. He sought to improve himself by reading
books, among them Rizal’s two novels “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo.” The
lack of adequate education did not hinder him from becoming the Father of the
Philippine Revolution. Bonifacio life proves patriotism, So that means that Bonifacio is
the real national hero.
Rizal only wanted reform. He established La Liga Filipina to ask for reforms. They
wanted to make the Filipinos and Spanish equal in the eyes of the law, to make the
Philippines a province of Spain and make Filipinos citizens of Spain, and for the
Spanish friars to be sent back to Spain and make the Filipino friars the parish priests of
the churches. Rizal's goal was not to liberate the Filipinos from Spain, but to make a
better life for Filipinos. I am not saying that I despise Rizal or anything. Everybody has
to admit the fact that he is a doctor, painter, sculptor, linguist, and a lot more. I very
much admire Rizal, I totally do. Even Bonifacio extremely admired him, but I think Rizal
should have gotten the National Model title. Andres Bonifacio goal was total separation
from the Spaniards. He believed that we should have total independence and our own
government. A government run by Filipinos.