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Veneration Without Understanding
- GenresNonfictionHistory
22 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 6, 2021
my thoughts on this book are as messy as the stance of Constantino on Rizal's prominent, albeit unofficial, position in Philippine history. I don't even know if I mean this in a good or bad way lol. Does Rizal deserve to be our national hero? Prior to reading VWU, I would probably say "Yes and No". Having read VWU, I would answer the same thing plus a grunt of annoyance.
My first Constantino title was The Miseducation of the Filipino. I had a premium time reading that masterpiece. I thought it was phenonenal. I just love it when a reading material unsettles me from my seat. But before this becomes a Lisyang Edukasyon review, let me go back to VWU lmao. So yeah in all fairness to Constantino (who is, come on, venerated as well lmao), VWU is factually balanced. The author meticulously provided all the possible "sides of the story". The thing is, as much as I'd like to appreciate the author's disinterestedness, I can't help but see how he still gravitated towards defending Rizal's counterrevoulutionary beliefs. He would admit, from time to time, Rizal's inadequacies, elitist upbringing, and even ignorance of the "Indio struggle", but all of those would make little or no sense after successfully articulating Rizal's relevant contributions to the Philippine history. Rizal died for the Filipino people, but his utter reluctance towards the Propaganda Movement was an act against the people. To put it bluntly, Constantino, in VWU, exposed Rizal's weaknesses while trying to save his ass at the same time. Great balancing act, If you'd ask me.
To this moment, I am still at a loss as to recognize Rizal or anyone in the course of our history as a national hero. The fact that Rizal enjoys a "special seat" (as a result of the neolib educ that considers him as the Natl Hero) in Philippine history tells a lot about the miseducation of the Filipino people (totally not trying to promote The Miseducation of the Filipino, but go read it).
Historians are so good at deconstructing the history I can't even tell if the things I read are still true.
"Hero worship, [therefore], must be both historical and critical."
Renato Constantino, Veneration Without Understanding
My first Constantino title was The Miseducation of the Filipino. I had a premium time reading that masterpiece. I thought it was phenonenal. I just love it when a reading material unsettles me from my seat. But before this becomes a Lisyang Edukasyon review, let me go back to VWU lmao. So yeah in all fairness to Constantino (who is, come on, venerated as well lmao), VWU is factually balanced. The author meticulously provided all the possible "sides of the story". The thing is, as much as I'd like to appreciate the author's disinterestedness, I can't help but see how he still gravitated towards defending Rizal's counterrevoulutionary beliefs. He would admit, from time to time, Rizal's inadequacies, elitist upbringing, and even ignorance of the "Indio struggle", but all of those would make little or no sense after successfully articulating Rizal's relevant contributions to the Philippine history. Rizal died for the Filipino people, but his utter reluctance towards the Propaganda Movement was an act against the people. To put it bluntly, Constantino, in VWU, exposed Rizal's weaknesses while trying to save his ass at the same time. Great balancing act, If you'd ask me.
To this moment, I am still at a loss as to recognize Rizal or anyone in the course of our history as a national hero. The fact that Rizal enjoys a "special seat" (as a result of the neolib educ that considers him as the Natl Hero) in Philippine history tells a lot about the miseducation of the Filipino people (totally not trying to promote The Miseducation of the Filipino, but go read it).
Historians are so good at deconstructing the history I can't even tell if the things I read are still true.
"Hero worship, [therefore], must be both historical and critical."
Renato Constantino, Veneration Without Understanding
November 25, 2015
The essay seeks to answer the question - was Rizal an American-sponsored hero? short answer: yes and no.
February 4, 2017
So comes the question: Is he worthy of being our national hero? No, but he deserves a place of recognition in the wall of the greatest Filipinos.
"Because Rizal had certain qualities, he was able to serve the pressing social needs of the period, needs that arose out of general and particular historical forces. He is a hero in the sense that he was able to see the problems generated by historical forces, discern the new social needs created by the historical development of new social relationships, and take an active part in meeting these needs. But he is not a hero in the sense that he could have stopped and altered the course of events."
Why is his idea of the Philippines attaining a better colonial status as beneficial to the mass is wrong?
"A people have every right to be free. Tutelage in the art of government as an excuse for colonialism is a discredited alibi. People learn and educate themselves in the process of struggling for freedom and liberty. They attain their highest potential only when they are masters of their own destiny. Colonialism is the only agency still trying to sell the idea that freedom is a diploma to be granted by a superior people to an inferior one after years of apprenticeship."
If that is the case, why then should we recognize the propaganda movement?
"Though their fight was reformist and may be regarded as tame today, the historic role of the ilustrados cannot be denied for they were purveyors of ideas which when seized upon by the masses became real weapons. Today their ideas are orthodox and safe. However, the same concepts when made relevant to present society again make their partisans the objects of persecution by contemporary reactionaries."
"Because Rizal had certain qualities, he was able to serve the pressing social needs of the period, needs that arose out of general and particular historical forces. He is a hero in the sense that he was able to see the problems generated by historical forces, discern the new social needs created by the historical development of new social relationships, and take an active part in meeting these needs. But he is not a hero in the sense that he could have stopped and altered the course of events."
Why is his idea of the Philippines attaining a better colonial status as beneficial to the mass is wrong?
"A people have every right to be free. Tutelage in the art of government as an excuse for colonialism is a discredited alibi. People learn and educate themselves in the process of struggling for freedom and liberty. They attain their highest potential only when they are masters of their own destiny. Colonialism is the only agency still trying to sell the idea that freedom is a diploma to be granted by a superior people to an inferior one after years of apprenticeship."
If that is the case, why then should we recognize the propaganda movement?
"Though their fight was reformist and may be regarded as tame today, the historic role of the ilustrados cannot be denied for they were purveyors of ideas which when seized upon by the masses became real weapons. Today their ideas are orthodox and safe. However, the same concepts when made relevant to present society again make their partisans the objects of persecution by contemporary reactionaries."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2015
I'm currently taking up Life and Works of Rizal in our university and our professor required us to read this book with its question, does Jose Rizal deserved to be our National Hero?
In the end, I answered the question with "No, he doesn't."
In the end, I answered the question with "No, he doesn't."
August 12, 2025
✨ 4.8 stars✨
Somehow, my current Bonifacio hyperfixation led me to finish this entire thing (saw that this work was cited in his Wiki page hehe), and I loved it! EXTREMELY thought-provoking and definitely an essential read, in my opinion. Perfect for the ongoing 𝘉𝘶𝘸𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘪𝘬𝘢, as well!
I might start reading more critiques on famous Filipino historical figures from now on. In fact, I'm planning to bump up Nick Joaquin's 𝘈 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘦𝘴 on my TBR!
P.S. I was supposed to take The Life and Works of Rizal this trimester but due to a scheduling conflict I had to drop it and take it next year instead. Welp. I guess that just means I'll have more time to read Noli and El Fili. <3
Somehow, my current Bonifacio hyperfixation led me to finish this entire thing (saw that this work was cited in his Wiki page hehe), and I loved it! EXTREMELY thought-provoking and definitely an essential read, in my opinion. Perfect for the ongoing 𝘉𝘶𝘸𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘪𝘬𝘢, as well!
I might start reading more critiques on famous Filipino historical figures from now on. In fact, I'm planning to bump up Nick Joaquin's 𝘈 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘦𝘴 on my TBR!
P.S. I was supposed to take The Life and Works of Rizal this trimester but due to a scheduling conflict I had to drop it and take it next year instead. Welp. I guess that just means I'll have more time to read Noli and El Fili. <3
March 11, 2019
I read this for our Rizal course, however I think every Filipino should read this book. All I've ever known was Rizal as this noble and genius human being who died for this country. Despite that, there are things that we overlooked and should criticize- not only him, but also our veneration of him.
I think Constantino was a bit harsh of his criticism especially concerning his status and questioning his heroism. Nontheless, it was a great eye-opener for the masses' "blind adoration".
I think Constantino was a bit harsh of his criticism especially concerning his status and questioning his heroism. Nontheless, it was a great eye-opener for the masses' "blind adoration".
January 30, 2021
An honest analysis of the National Hero - Jose Rizal. Dissecting the historical time, philosophy, and his written speech gave clarity to the identity of who he was and why he was chosen. For a greater look of our hero, this is the book that would reveal the face of the truth towards Rizal. A controversial unveiling yet a factual credence of history.
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July 14, 2022read for school
June 9, 2020
Some quotes from the essay along with some comments:
With regards to the contradiction of Rizal's martyrdom and reformism:
"He died for his people, yet his repudiation of the Revolution was an act against the people. There seems to be a contradiction between the two acts; there is actually none. Both acts were in character; Rizal was acting from patriotic motives in both instances."
[The non-contradiction stems from the social class of Rizal who is an ilustrado and who, ultimately, reflects the upbringing and serves the purpose of the middle class he belongs into. For an ilustrado, the power and talents of the masses to change their society and history is underestimated.]
Does tutelage to a proper education a prior condition from gaining freedom and independence?
"A people have every right to be free. Tutelage in the art of government as an excuse for colonialism is a discredited alibi. People learn and educate themselves in the process of struggling for freedom and liberty. They attain their highest potential only when they are masters of their own destiny. Colonialism is the only agency still trying to sell the idea that freedom is a diploma to be granted by a superior people to an inferior one after years of apprenticeship."
[For Rizal, freedom is something deserved, granted in this case by the Spaniards to the indios. Rizal does not advocate actively fighting for freedom and independence through people's action. As a reformist, he advocates betterment of conditions under Spanish rule since, for him, liberty is not necessarily equal with independence.]
"The early rebellions, spontaneous and sporadic, could be termed movements, without consciousness. Rizal and the propagandists were the embodiment of a consciousness without a movement. It was Bonifacio and the Katipunan that embodied the unity of revolutionary consciousness and revolutionary practice."
Should we condemn Rizal? Negate all what he and the other propagandists did?
"The role and the contribution of Rizal, like that of the ilus trado class, must be evaluated in the context of his particular reality within the general reality of his time. Rizal was a necessary moment in our evolution. But he was only a moment, and while his validity for his time amounted to a heroism that is valid for all time, we cannot say that Rizal himself will be valid for all time and that Rizal’s ideas should be the yardstick for all our aspirations. He provided the model of a form of heroism that culminated in martyrdom. He was a Filipino we can be proud of, a monument to the race despite all his limitations. But we cannot make him out to be the infallible determinant of our national goals, as his blind idolators have been trying to do."
"We must see Rizal historically. Rizal should occupy his proper place in our pantheon of great Filipinos. Though he is secure to be in our hearts and memories as a hero, we must now realize that he has no monopoly of patriotism; he is not the zenith of our greatness; neither are all his teachings of universal and contemporary relevance and application."
Does Rizal deserves to be our National Hero? No. However, he still deserved a great place in our history since "when the goals of the people are finally achieved, Rizal the first Filipino, will be negated by the true Filipino by whom he will be remembered as a great catalyzer in the metamorphosis of the de-colonized indio."
With regards to the contradiction of Rizal's martyrdom and reformism:
"He died for his people, yet his repudiation of the Revolution was an act against the people. There seems to be a contradiction between the two acts; there is actually none. Both acts were in character; Rizal was acting from patriotic motives in both instances."
[The non-contradiction stems from the social class of Rizal who is an ilustrado and who, ultimately, reflects the upbringing and serves the purpose of the middle class he belongs into. For an ilustrado, the power and talents of the masses to change their society and history is underestimated.]
Does tutelage to a proper education a prior condition from gaining freedom and independence?
"A people have every right to be free. Tutelage in the art of government as an excuse for colonialism is a discredited alibi. People learn and educate themselves in the process of struggling for freedom and liberty. They attain their highest potential only when they are masters of their own destiny. Colonialism is the only agency still trying to sell the idea that freedom is a diploma to be granted by a superior people to an inferior one after years of apprenticeship."
[For Rizal, freedom is something deserved, granted in this case by the Spaniards to the indios. Rizal does not advocate actively fighting for freedom and independence through people's action. As a reformist, he advocates betterment of conditions under Spanish rule since, for him, liberty is not necessarily equal with independence.]
"The early rebellions, spontaneous and sporadic, could be termed movements, without consciousness. Rizal and the propagandists were the embodiment of a consciousness without a movement. It was Bonifacio and the Katipunan that embodied the unity of revolutionary consciousness and revolutionary practice."
Should we condemn Rizal? Negate all what he and the other propagandists did?
"The role and the contribution of Rizal, like that of the ilus trado class, must be evaluated in the context of his particular reality within the general reality of his time. Rizal was a necessary moment in our evolution. But he was only a moment, and while his validity for his time amounted to a heroism that is valid for all time, we cannot say that Rizal himself will be valid for all time and that Rizal’s ideas should be the yardstick for all our aspirations. He provided the model of a form of heroism that culminated in martyrdom. He was a Filipino we can be proud of, a monument to the race despite all his limitations. But we cannot make him out to be the infallible determinant of our national goals, as his blind idolators have been trying to do."
"We must see Rizal historically. Rizal should occupy his proper place in our pantheon of great Filipinos. Though he is secure to be in our hearts and memories as a hero, we must now realize that he has no monopoly of patriotism; he is not the zenith of our greatness; neither are all his teachings of universal and contemporary relevance and application."
Does Rizal deserves to be our National Hero? No. However, he still deserved a great place in our history since "when the goals of the people are finally achieved, Rizal the first Filipino, will be negated by the true Filipino by whom he will be remembered as a great catalyzer in the metamorphosis of the de-colonized indio."
Read
November 21, 2013rizal
December 22, 2014
:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2014
Enlightens the reader(s) about Rizal and the Revolution.
Read
April 15, 2015dsdsdsds
Want to read
April 3, 2018How will I read this? Its not opening as read
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews