Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Office of the Vice President for Campuses
UNISAN, QUEZON CAMPUS
Term Paper
“Veneration
Without
Understanding”
BY : RENATO CONSTANTINO
Submitted to : Director Edwin G. Malabuyoc
Submitted by : Princes Jocel May G. Plazuelo
Ibabang Kalilayan, Unisan, Quezon 4305
website: www.pup.edu.ph | e-mail: president@pup.edu.ph
THE COUNTRY’S
1stPOLYTECHNICU
Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Office of the Vice President for Campuses
UNISAN, QUEZON CAMPUS
José Rizal, regarded as the Philippines' most illustrious national hero, is always
portrayed as the emblem of peaceful reforms and intellectual revolution. His novels
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo have realized a great awakening to the
Filipino nationalism under colonialism. Besides being hailed in streets and schools
and inscribed in currency, Rizal is indoctrinated into the consciousness of the
nation through acclaim. But what if such admiration by the masses did not fully
comprehend him, since it is based on selective remembrance? This was the
premise of Renato Constantino in his controversial essay entitled Veneration
Without Understanding. This paper dissects the implications —historical, political,
and ideological— of Constantino's critique, analyzing how it challenges the
traditional image of Rizal and evokes critical introspection on heroism, nationalism,
and colonial influences.
The Central Controversy Thus, the bold question at the heart of Constantino's
thesis is whether Rizal was a revolutionary hero in reality or just a convenient
symbol for subsiding revolutionary fervor. Rizal's legacy, according to Constantino,
was constructed and promoted especially during American colonization, not only to
deny reviving colonial interests to Filipinos, but to build a colonial agenda which
discourages armed resistance. That Rizal was disapproving of the 1896 revolution-
in particular, it must have been his quarrel with Bonifacio and the Katipunan that
the very example often forgot. He longed for reforms and equal rights by means of
education and peaceful negotiation with Spain; revolution was out. Thus, according
to Constantino, Rizal became an "acceptable" hero for American colonizers who
would rather put their promotion in the lines of "benevolent assimilation," not
revolution.
Strengths of Constantino's Argument Among the great strengths of this essay is
historical deconstruction of how the image of Rizal was formed. Constantino shows
that the US regime had a vested interested in a hero who was educated, pacifist,
and anti-revolutionary, one far from the armed struggle undertaken by Bonifacio or
Aguinaldo. In this light, Rizal's heroism becomes a political tool, not just a historical
truth. The way history is taught is also under critical questioning by Constantino.
The essay empowers Filipinos to not just "venerate" their heroes blindfoldedly but
to study them critically, asking what values they truly represent and how those
values serve the people, by encouraging readers to question how national memory
is constructed. Weaknesses and Counterpoints: But Constantino's essay has also
been charged with having an excessive revisionism. For certain academics,
"Rizal's rejection of the revolution" has been attributed to strategic thinking in that
he feared a premature uprising would fail, leading to unnecessary bloodshed, while
also showing sufficient bravery through writings that had very much revolutionary
effects, even if not of arms.
Moreover, even while Constantino criticizes the colonial promotion of Rizal, he
arguably underestimate d the pallid organic admiration many Filipinos had -- and
continue to have -- for Rizal's courage, sacrifice, and ideals. Identifying Rizal as
merely an American creation risks ignoring his historical contributions to Filipino
identity and intellectual empowerment. Contemporary Relevance Indeed, that
essay stays alive among those in any age heavily characterized by historical
revisionism, misinformation, and heroism that will be evoked into public
consciousness. And now in times of such conditions, the "Veneration Without
Understanding" reminds us of the value of thinking critically and of accountability to
history. Most of the time, we tend to accept things as they are, especially when
they are being passed down from one generation to the next without so much as a
second thought. Politics, religion, and even national identity all tend to exert
influence on people to believe without so much as an inquiry about the character
or intent of the figure.
Ibabang Kalilayan, Unisan, Quezon 4305
website: www.pup.edu.ph | e-mail: president@pup.edu.ph
THE COUNTRY’S
1stPOLYTECHNICU
Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Office of the Vice President for Campuses
UNISAN, QUEZON CAMPUS
Constantino emphasizes the need to understand veneration, for otherwise, such
veneration can be used against people through half-truths. In recent years,
arguments around who should be part of the discussion on national heroes have
again surfaced, where figures such as Bonifacio, Mabini, and even modern
reformists have been evaluated. Should we define heroism by a certain set of
ideals, by actions, by mass appreciation, or by time? Constantino's critique does
not provide the final answer, but it certainly shapes the necessary frame for
questioning to continue. In conclusion Renato Constantino's "Veneration Without
Understanding" remains, and perhaps will always remain, among the most
provocative and thought-challenging critiques of Philippine historiography. By
debunking the sanitized image of José Rizal, it forces a reconsideration of the
meaning of being a hero — and even the question of who decides that. Far from
diminishing Rizal, this critique will elevate the national discourse in recognizing the
complexities of our history. If nothing else, this will teach that true patriotism is not
blind loyalty to heroes but honest engagement with truth-however uncomfortable it
may be.
Ibabang Kalilayan, Unisan, Quezon 4305
website: www.pup.edu.ph | e-mail: president@pup.edu.ph
THE COUNTRY’S
1stPOLYTECHNICU
