Jose Rizal, the face of the Philippines
Jose Rizal’s greatest gift to the Philippines was helping all Filipinos see themselves as one nation. Before he came along, people mostly thought of themselves as from their own town or region – not as part of a single country. He worked to bring everyone together, showing us that we share the same history, culture, and hopes for a better future. He used books instead of weapons to make things better. His stories like Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo told the truth about how hard life was under Spanish rule. They showed the bad things some people in power were doing, but also how strong and smart Filipinos are. These books spread across the country, even in secret, and made people start asking why things had to stay the same. Rizal also taught us what it means to be a good Filipino. He said education is important, that we should work hard, and respect our traditions. He believed everyone should be treated fairly – men and women, rich and poor. Even today, his l...