A simple straight answer? Dr. Jose Rizal is deserving of the appellation of Philippine National Hero. However, there are still some Filipinos doubting him so we will go the long way.
To start, who was the first to consider the Philippines as a nation before it was even a concept? You have it in the name of Jose Rizal. Although he had many contenders for the title of national hero in the age that arose to Filipino nationalism, such as del Pilar, Bonifacio, Mabini, and Aguinaldo, Rizal remains in the hearts of Filipinos.
It is impossible to say that Rizal became a national hero because the Americans saw him as the most trustworthy embodiment of our nationalism. But rather, it was because Rizal is the one who inspired his people and is revered by the Nation and Republic he founded.
Of course, who would forget the narrative about his travels and girls in different countries? Despite this typical, sometimes humorous, depictions, may we never cut out the truth that our national hero was very much immersed in scholarly research during his journeys.
Also, one thing is for sure, Pepe could never love a woman as much as he loved the Philippines with all of his heart.
He reflected his love for the country through his attempts to present the Philippines to other nations. For instance, he proposed in 1884 the members of the Circulo Hispano-Filipino in Spain to cooperate on a collection of essays about the Philippines. Then, in 1889, he took the speculative and unprecedented step of founding the Association Internationale des Philippinestes, which aims to bring together Filipino and non-Filipino scholars “to study the Philippines from a historical and scientific point of view” through projects like meetings, contests, and the formation of a Philippine library and museum. Unfortunately, due to logistical and other circumstances, Rizal cancelled the symposium and the organization, but it is apparent what Rizal was really about.
He desired to establish a presence or jurisdiction independent of colonial control. He acknowledged the accomplishments of international scholars to this initiative but emphasized that Filipinos must claim ownership of their very own homeland.
On the contrary, others argue that Rizal should not be our national hero because he pushed for the Philippines to become a province of Spain, which they believe is anti-nationalist.
Let me explain on what I have learned on my Rizal course under Madam de Castro: For that reason, Rizal believed that the Filipinos could only obtain freedom after becoming a Spanish colony. As a province, the Philippines will have the basic rights and privileges that colonial colonies do not have. Furthermore, because Spain was already enacting liberal policies, the Philippines’ representation was the only viable option.
Given these arguments, his reasons were acceptable. Don’t you think?
With the might of the historical fighters’ weapons, we can commemorate those who put their lives at risk in mountains and caverns. These men carry out the essential conspiratorial, organizational, and revolutionary activity.
However, nothing of this would have been possible if Dr. Jose Rizal had not dedicated to the country his tenacity of intellect in which we have to save our utmost respect for.
Rizal is endowed with eternity, standing above the rebukes and resentments of the colonizers and even some Filipinos. Even though Rizal died at his given time, and we feel as if we have all perished with him, on the bright side, his death has also liberated us, which makes us the Filipino we are today.
As it is said, we are one with Rizal and Rizal is with us.
aubrey 
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