Answer:
He was a revolutionary and that caused his downfall and execution. He was also a polymath and could speak some 20 languages or so. The man was a bit of a one-off genius, had the backing of a wealthy family and was also a serial womaniser, especially with young girls which today would possibly be frowned upon. As the originator of “Maria Clara” who every girl here is supposed to revere (rather dented by the underage pregnancy rate however), he is seen as a hero by many people, though probably only because they were taught that he was in school.
As for emulating him as a role model, I doubt that is within the ability of most Filipinos, even the most brilliant. Nowadays he would no doubt be either an OFW making a fortune, or in an early grave for his revolutionary tendencies. The current power brokers are just as corrupt and no different from those in the late 19th century - don’t buck the regime
