Rizalista religious movements

The Rizalista religious movements refers to the new religious movement adopted by a number of ethnic religious groups in
the Philippines that believe in the divinity of Jose Rizal, the Philippines' de facto national hero. Many of these sects or religious
movements believe that Rizal is still living and that he will deliver his followers from oppression and poverty. Rizalist groups
have differing views on the divinity of Jose Rizal. Some believe that he is God himself, some believe that Rizal was the second
son of God, the reincarnation of Christ. Some of these groups also identify Rizal as the god of the pre-Spanish Malay religion.
[1]
Some only see as Rizal as a spiritual guide.[2] Leaders of the sect often claim that key people in the Philippine
Revolution including Rizal himself were reincarnation of the Virgin Mary. Many of these groups claim that the only key
to salvation is by joining their group.[3]
The Rizalist religious movement ranged from colorums which were prevalent during the 1920s up to the 1930s to Philippine
Benevolent Missionary Association, which was led by Ruben Ecleo.[3] Among these movements are the Iglesia Sagarada
Familia, Lipi ni Rizal, Pilipinas Watawat, the Molo and the Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi.[2]

Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi

The Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi is the considered as the original Rizalist group. The sect was established on December 25,
1936. Rev. Fr. Luis Fabrigar and Jose Valincunoza was the sect's first Supreme Bishop and president respectively.[2]
The sect's headquarters is located in Calamba, Laguna and has established 100 chapters throughout the Philippines. In the
1980s, the number of Rizalista converts was about 100,000 the highest amount in sect's history. As of 2012, the sect's
membership was reduced by at least 90 percent. The sect is currently led by Bonifacio Relleta. [2]

Beliefs and practices

The Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi requires aspiring priest to study in an institution somewhere in Bicol. Their priests are
also allowed to marry after they have served the church for at least five years. Sect officials are not paid and are supported by
donations by the sect's financially able members.[2]
Alongside the Bible, they also have the Sugong Kayumanggi, the second most important book for the sect. Rizal's two
novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo is considered by some as the sect's counterpart of the Bible of the Catholics by
some elders.[2] They also have only three commandments as opposed to the ten by the Catholic Church. The Rizalistas are taught
to love God, people and society. Recently love for the environment were added to their teachings.[2]
The birth and death anniversary of Rizal are considered one of the most important holiday for the sect. During these days the
sect celebrates Misa de Tres an elaborate celebration of flowers, flags and parades. Gomburza Day, Bonifacio Day and other
national holidays are also important holidays for the sect. The sect also celebrates Christmas every October 3, the date they
consider as the true birthday of Jesus Christ.[2]
During many religious celebrations, sect members often wear clothing with the colors of the Philippine flag.[2]
The Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi believes that Rizal is the incarnation of Holy Spirit. They believed that Rizal was never truly
killed during his execution in Bagumbayan. The point out that when Rizal's body was about to be exhumed in Paco Park, Rizal
was nowhere to be found and that a tree trunk and a pair of shoes was found at the site. They believed that Rizal is still living
in Mount Makiling.[2]
The sects has its version on the account of Jose Rizal's life. Jose Rizal as a baby was found by Francisco Mercado and Teodora
Alonzo, who were recorded by documented historical accounts as his biological parents. The couple wanted to baptize Rizal as
Jove Rex Al, but the name was turned down due to it being close to Christ's name by the officiating Catholic priest. The baby
was then baptized as Jose Rizal. The first preachers of the sect were referred to as the Banal na Tinig. They are believed to be
able to communicate with Rizal, who lived in Makiling.[2]

Rizal Worship: The Rizalistas

The Rizalistas are a group of people who worship Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, as a divine being and
deity. Similar to other religious groups, the Rizalistas have different sects whose beliefs may vary, but nonetheless share
the same faith in Jose Rizal. These sects have different founders, founded on different dates, and are scattered in different
parts of the archipelago. Some of the registered groups of Rizalistas today include:

Espiritual Pilipino Catholic Church

Samahan ng Tatlong Persona Solo Dios

Iglesia Sagrada Filipina

Ciudad Mistica de Dios

Watawat ng Lahi

Adamista

Bathalismo

And many others

These individual sects each have their own chapters all over the country and even abroad. Some of them are found
primarily in Laguna, in the town of Calamba, and in Quezon Province at the foot of Mount Banahaw.

Parallels: Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal

Rizalistas believe that there are apparent parallels in the lives and persons of both Jose Rizal, and Jesus Christ. Some of
them even believe that Rizal was Christ himself, reincarnated. These parallel traits and characteristics include:

Jose Rizal is the messiah of the Philippines, just as Jesus Christ is the messiah of Israel.
Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were good and upright men who pursued their ideals with purest methods and
intentions.
Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were Asians.
Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were born into a country that was under colonial rule.
Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal paid no attention to human differences in status, education, race, etc. and
believed in equal and peaceful coexistence of all human beings.
Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were healers.

Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal underwent mockery and trial for unjust charges.

Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were executed by their enemies.

Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal died for what they believed in.