Rizal 2000

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Transcript of Rizal 2000

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2000 RIZAL DAY104th Anniversary of the

Martyrdom of Dr. Jose RizalDecember 30, 2000

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Today, December 30, 2000, we mark the 104th death anniversary of our na-

tional hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

For more than a century now, we have religiously done our task to enrich the memoryof the martyrdom of this Filipino patriot who offered his life to safeguard the dignity ofour country and people against foreign oppression. Rizal was a living testament towhat our race was capable of doing - denouncing injustices in our society and offer-ing non-violent means to attain peace, equality, and freedom for our people.

Through the mighty power of his pen, he served as a role model for all generations,inspiring and motivating people to stand up for their rights, and to excel in theirchosen fields of endeavor towards the advancement of our country’s interest.

On this momentous day, I challenge once again every Filipino, especially the youth,to be the country’s new breed of heroes - daring, caring, dynamic, and patriotic.Itaguyod natin ang ating bansa bilang isang lipunang malaya na pinakikilos ngkatarungan at demokrasya. Kung magagawa natin ito, nakatitiyak tayo ng isangmagandang bukas para sa ating Inang Bayan. Patuloy nawang maging inspirasyonsa ating lahat, lalong higit sa mga kabataan, ang aral na iniwan niya sa atin na angkabataan ang pag-asa ng ating bayan.

Sa paggunita natin sa araw ng kamatayan ni Gat Jose Rizal, alalahanin at isabuhaynatin ang kanyang magagandang halimbawa.

Mabuhay ang lahing Pilipino at isang Masaganang Bagong Taon sa inyong lahat!

Joseph Ejercito EstradaPresidentRepublic of the Philippines

Message

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IGreetings!

congratulate the National Historical Institute and the Philippine InformationAgency for coming up with this souvenir program that gives us memorable high-lights of the 2000 Rizal Day celebration.

This brochure will not only stand to benefit students, teachers, and history buffs butalso the wider public in general. As a nation coming to terms with the rapid changesbrought about by globalization, it is but fitting that our institutions provide avenuesthat will strengthen our collective memory of our rich history. Rizal, who was one ofthe brightest persons of his generation carved a very important niche in our past. Assuch, his life and works and how we pay tribute to them over the years, must foreverremain in our hearts and minds as Filipinos.

As a great admirer of the national hero, I can see how this publication will be awelcome addition to the wide collection of materials that we have about him. Maythis outstanding collaboration bear more fruits in the years to come.

Best wishes and God bless!

Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr.PresidentSenate of the Philippines

Message

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The martyrdom of our national hero, the late Dr. Jose P. Rizal, has, for more

than a century, continued to be the symbol of patriotism to the elders and youth ofthe land. His life has become a constant reminder to all of us to fulfill our duties toour country, and to lead in making a better tomorrow for the generations to come.

The rough times call for unity once again among all of us Filipinos. Today, Rizal’smessage for love of country echoes as loud as during the Revolution of 1898. Wemust heed his call for patriotism, for only a nation can only depend on its citizens toachieve its goals for the common good.

It is heartening to note that the National Historical Institute has consistently taken thelead in remembering our beloved Dr. Jose P. Rizal. For this, I extend my warmestcompliments to the National Historical Institute for another job well done.

Again, congratulations to the National Historical Institute for a successful and pro-ductive year. May you continue to serve our beloved country by being guardians ofour heritage, unfailing in keeping the light of patriotism burning over our country.

Arnulfo P. FuentebellaSpeakerHouse of Representatives

Message

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Nalulugod ang Pambansang Komisyon para sa Kultura at mga Sining na

naging bahagi ng Rizal: Tanglaw-Gabay ng Bayan (104th Anniversary of the Martyr-dom of Dr. Jose Rizal). Isang malaking karangalan ang maging instrumento sapagpapakalat ng kaalaman tungkol sa ating pambansang bayani gayundin sa mgaaral na pinagsumikapan niyang ipaabot.

Sa paglipas ng maraming taon, muling nasakop ng mga dayuhan ang ating bansa.Ngunit dahil sa pagpupunyagi ng ating mga kababayan at sa mga aral na itinuro ngating pambansang bayani sa kalayaan at pagmamahal sa sariling bayan, muli tayongnakabangon.

Nawa ay manatili siyang tanglaw at gabay sa atin upang maging mapagmatyag samga maaaring maging hadlang sa pagtatamasa ng kalayaan ng ating bansa.

Mabuhay tayong lahat!

Jaime C. LayaTagapanguloPambansang Komisyon para sa Kultura

at mga Sining

Message

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Our present economic, social, and political climate leaves much to be desired;

we have to set our affairs in order or suffer the storm. This task can only be done inthe spirit of kapatiran, of the rich helping the poor, the young learning from theirseniors, everyone working together for common purposes.

The idea of brotherhood is not alien to us; on the contrary, it is an inherent Filipinovalue. Sometimes, however, circumstances beyond our control or our own humanfrailty cause us to slide back. So we need to be reminded periodically that we share somuch -- a common ethnicity, culture, history, and hope for our nation.

Rizal himself had urged Filipinos to always be guided by their innate sense of brother-hood. Some of us wonder why Rizal waited several years to write El Filibusterismo, thesequel to Noli Me Tangere. He set aside his second novel to annotate Morga’s Sucesosde las Islas Filipinas, a comparatively minor piece in his body of nationalist work. Hefelt it was important. If a Filipino nation was to emerge, the people needed a sharedsense of identity.

Rizal’s marginal notes reminded Filipinos of their rich precolonial past, of their ances-tors’ spiritual society of honest, free men which colonization had momentarily under-mined. (Proof that it was not completely lost could be gleaned from the code of ethicswritten by our revolutionary heroes who advocated a society based on brotherly love.)

In another work, Filipinas Dentro de Cien Años, Rizal averred that “common misfor-tune” and “common abasement” have awakened the national spirit and united Filipi-nos for a common purpose -- to redeem the “ghost of the civilization of our ancestors”.He called this process of redemption “moral progress”.

Big as the idea is, “moral progress” is the need of the hour. It is our only bridge tosocio-political peace. But we can only cross it as a united people, as sons and daugh-ters of the Motherland.

Pablo S. Trillana IIIChairmanNational Historical Institute

Message

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NHI lines up activitiesto mark Rizal Day

TOther activities to commemorate the deathanniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal are: Metro ManilaSinging Competition on December 19; “Para saMahal na Bayan” Rizal Day Eve Concert,Lagoon Area, Rizal Park, Manila, Dec. 29; andRizal Day Annual Lecture on Dec. 30 at theRizal Shrines in Calamba, Laguna; DapitanCity, Zamboanga del Norte and Fort Santiago,Manila with Dr. Maria Luisa T Camagay, UP-Diliman, Dr. Luis C. Dery, De La Salle Univer-sity-Manila, and Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de laRosa, as speakers, respectively.

Capping the day’s activities are patriotic toursto Rizal Shrines in Fort Santiago and Calambaand the National Museum; opening of exhibit on“Hats and History” at the Baluarte de Sta.Barbara, Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila; aLight and Sound Tableau at the Rizal Park at 6p.m. entitled “The Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal:A Light and Sound Presentation”; and a pro-duction of Gantimpala Theatre Foundation atthe Open Air Auditorium, Rizal Park at 7 p.m.entitled “Kanser” (Noli Me Tangere).

For more information, call Dr. Rey Paular at theNational Historical Institute, tel. nos. 5239043,5258661, and 5257695.

he National Historical Institute is spear-heading the activities for the Rizal Day celebra-tion on December 30, 2000 at the Rizal Park.

NHI Chairman and Executive Director Dr. PabloS. Trillana III said the annual celebration startswith a “Millennium Walk” led by the Order of theKnights of Rizal to retrace the last footsteps ofthe national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, from FortSantiago to Luneta Park at 5 a.m.

This will be followed by flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies led by President JosephEjercito Estrada and the First Lady, Dr. Luisa P.Ejercito Estrada.

Invited to join the First Couple are Vice Presi-dent Gloria M. Arroyo, Senate PresidentAquilino M. Pimentel Jr., House Speaker ArnulfoP. Fuentebella, Chief Justice Hilario G. DavideJr., NCCA Chairman Jaime C. Laya, DECSSecretary Andrew B. Gonzalez, FSC, Knights ofRizal Supreme Commander Rogelio M.Quiambao, NHI Chairman Pablo S. Trillana III,AFP Chief of Staff Angelo T. Reyes, DOTSecretary Gemma Cruz Araneta, MMDA Chair-man Jejomar C. Binay, Manila Mayor Jose L.Atienza Jr., NPDC Executive Director AntonioS. Mercado, and members of the 2000 RizalDay National Committee.

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TThree grandsons of Dr. Ferdinand Blumentrittand Pastor Karl Ullma, who were Rizal’s closefriends, will participate in the wreath-layingceremony.

In Rizal’s birthplace in Calamba, Laguna, aRizal Day lecture will be given by UP Prof. Ma.Luisa Camagay. At the Rizal Shrine in DapitanCity, a similar lecture will be given by Dr. LuisDery of De La Salle University.

At the Rizal Shrine in Fort Santiago, the RizalDay lecture will be given by Rev. Fr. Rolando V.de la Rosa, former UST Rector.

A tour of the Rizal Shrines in Fort Santiago;Calamba, and the National Museum will betaken by 500 students from Rizal High School.

The National Parks Development Committee willstage the play “Noli Me Tangere” at 6 p.m., aswell as a light and sound show, “The Martyrdomof Dr. Jose Rizal”.

A Rizal Day eve concert by the lagoon entitled“Para sa Mahal na Bayan” has been arrangedby the National Parks Development Committeeand the 2000 Rizal Day National Committee.The featured artists are Angelina and AlmaClimaco, with pianist Lawrence Albert Calderon.

This year’s Rizal Day Committee is jointlyheaded by the NCCA Chair, the EducationSecretary, and the Supreme Commander of theKnights of Rizal.

The vice chair is the National Historical InstituteChairman and Executive Director and themembers include the heads of the departmentsof the interior, public works, national defense,tourism, budget, and foreign affairs, the ArmedForces Chief of Staff, the Office of the PressSecretary-Philippine Information Agency, thePresidential Protocol Office, the PresidentialManagement Staff, the Metro Manila Develop-ment Authority and the mayors of Calamba,Laguna; Manila; and Dapitan City, Zamboangadel Norte.

104th Rizal Martyrdom Rites. National HistoricalInstitute Chairman Dr. Pablo S. Trillana III (left), andOrder of the Knights of Rizal Supreme CommanderRogelio M. Quiambao, KGCR (second from left),discuss the preparations for the nationwide rites ofthe 104th martyrdom of national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizalscheduled on Dec. 30 with historian Dr. Luis C. Dery(second from right) of De La Salle University, and RizalShrine Curator Tess Pagulayan during a meeting atthe Rizal Shrine at Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila.

Rizal death anniversary rites sethe activities marking the 104th death

anniversary of national hero Jose Rizal onDecember 30 have been finalized.

This was according to Dr. Jaime C. Laya, chairof the National Commission for Culture and theArts and chair of this year’s national executivecommittee for the celebration.

Laya said the flag-raising and wreath-layingceremonies will be led by President JosephEstrada, other government officials and thediplomatic corps, as well as relatives andfriends of Rizal.

A millennium walk to trace Rizal’s footsteps fromFort Santiago to Rizal Park will be made by theKnights of Rizal led by Hon. Rogelio M.Quiambao, Supreme Commander of theKnights of Rizal.

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Ang Kadakilaan ni Rizal sa

Hanay ng Kanyang mga

Kapatid na Babaeni Ma. Luisa T. Camagay

Introduksyon

Isang malaking karangalan na maanyayahan ako bilangpanauhing tagapagsalita sa araw ng pagkamatay ng ating

dakilang bayani na si Jose P. Rizal. Madalas nating talakayinang kadakilaan ni Rizal sa buhay ng ating bayan, ngunitngayong umaga ay ibig kong idako ang ating tingin sa

kadakilaang ipinamalas ni Rizal sa kanyang mga kapatid nababae. Hayaan ninyong ibahagi ko sa inyo ang naging

ugnayan niya sa kanyang mga kapatid na babae.

Si Rizal at ang mga kapatid niyang babaenoong kabataan nila

Batid natin na si Jose ay pampito sa labing-isang anak ng mag-asawang FranciscoMercado at Teodora Alonzo. Sa hanay ngmagkakapatid, mayroon siyang limangnaunang kapatid na babae at apat nasumunod na kapatid na babae. Masaya ang

mga alaala ni Rizal ng kaniyang kabataan sapiling ng kanyang mga kapatid na babae.Kinatuwaan siya ng kanyang mga kapatid nababae sa pamamagitan ng mga kantiyawhinggil sa kanyang mga linililok ngunit sinagotni Rizal ng “Sige pagtawanan ninyo akongayon. Ngunit sa oras na ako’y mamatay aymakikita ninyo ang dami ng mga rebultongitatayo para sa akin”.

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Madalas utusan ng mga matatandang kapatidna babae si Jose at ginampanan nito ngwalang pag-aatubili. Hiling ni Neneng (palayawni Saturnina) na kunin ni Jose ang kanyangdedal, ni Sisa (palayaw ni Narcisa) angkanyang libro, at ni Maria ang isang basongtubig at gagawin ito lahat ni Jose ng hindinagmamaktol. Ngunit ang lahat ng ito aysalamin ng malaking pagmamahal nila kayJose. Sa kalaunan, ang pagmamahal na itoang nagbigkis sa mga magkakapatidhanggang sa huling sandali ng kani-kanilangbuhay.

Simula’t sapul ay kinilala ng mga kapatid nababae ang di-karaniwang talino ng kanilangkapatid na lalaki at hindi nila ipinagkait angkanilang tulong, suporta, at kalinga. Ito’y unangipinamalas nila noong tumigil si Rizal saEuropa upang mag-aral.

Sulatan ni Rizal at mga kapatid na babaenoong si Rizal ay nasa Europa

Batid natin na umalis si Rizal na walangpaalam sa kanyang magulang at kapatid nababae noong tumulak siya patungong Europanoong Mayo 3, 1882. Tanging si Pacianolamang at ang kanyang Tio Antonio, ama niLeonor Rivera ang nakaaalam sa pag-alis niRizal. Lumiham si Narcisa at Antonio Lopezna kung sakaling kailangan niya ng pera ayhuwag mag-atubiling ipaalam sa kanila.Dagdag ng mag-asawang Lopez na kungnahihiyang humingi si Rizal sa kaniyang

magulang ay bukal sa kanilang loob angtulungan siya “bunga ng magandangpagsasamahan”. Sinundan ang sulat na ito ngsulat ni Saturnina na nagbabanggit na tuwinghahawak siya ng pluma ay siya’y naiiyak. Ibigni Saturnina na padalhan siya ng singsing nabrilyante upang maisanla sa panahon ngkagipitan.

Sinasalamin ng isang liham ni Rizal nabagaman nagpapasalamat siya sa mgapadalang pera ng kanyang mga kapatid nababae, nilinaw niya sa kanila na ayaw niyangmaging ugat ito ng sama ng loob sa mgakapatid na hindi maaaring magpadala bungang kanilang kalagayan sa buhay. Sabi ni Rizalsa isang liham niya:

. . . yaong iba cong capatid na hindimacapagpadala sa aquin ay nagdadamdamsa canilang loob dahilan sa canilangcalagayan. Cung sacali nama’t pagdadala attumulad, ay hindi co matatanggap cung dimay casamang pait, ala-ala sa iyo’y naguincaculangan sa canilang pamumuhay.

Kundi man salapi ang ipinadala ng kanyangmga kapatid ay mga bagay at pagkain namanang ipinaabot kay Rizal, patibay ng kahiligan niRizal kumain.

Ipinadala naman ng kapatid na Maria ay mgabilin ni Rizal na halayang bayabas, tamarindo,at halayang mangga. Nagpadala rin siSaturnina ng “sapatillang abaloryo na may

PacianoNarcisa and MariaDoña Josefa and Doña Maria (right).(Seated) Doña Teodora Alonzo.

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calunkutan ang kulay” at susunod ang mgapanyo na habi sa Lipa.

Sa isang liham ipinaabot ni Rizal nanatanggap niya ang mga padalang halayangbayabas, dalawang bote ng bagoong, angbote ng mangga, ang sotanghon, miki, atbihon.

Bagaman malaki ang pagitan ng mga sulat ngmga kapatid ni Rizal sa kanya dahil sa 45araw bago makarating ang liham mula saPilipinas patungong Europa, ang mga liham ayhitik sa mga balita, kaalaman, at payo. Ibinalitani Rizal ang mga lugar na kanyang binibisita.Halimbawa isinusulat niya na higit nakaayaaya ang lungsod ng Paris kaysa saMadrid, o di kaya ang hinggil sa kanyang pag-aaral ng medisina, o kaya ang pagaaral niyang wikang Pranses, Italyano, Aleman, atIngles.

Sa hanay naman ng kanyang mga kapatid nababae, laman ng kanilang mga liham anglumalaking pamilya dahil sa pag-aasawa ngmga kapatid at pagkakaroon ng mga bagongpamangkin. Sa ilang pagkakataon aypinapangalan rin na Jose gaya ng anak niLucia. Sulat ni Lucia kay Rizal ang ganito:

. . . ang aquin lamang pinaglilibangan ay angtaenga ni Jose, na caparis ng taenga mo ataquing ibinabalita sayo na totoong caparis atharinangang huwag lamang ang matularan

cundi pati ang iyong ugali at iyong cabaitanat casipagan sa manga gauang magagaling.

Kasalukuyan noong lumalaki ang angkan sapagdating ng mga dagdag na pamangkin.Noon lamang taon ng pag-alis ni Rizalpatungong Europa, taon 1882 sa madalingsabi, nanganak si Lucia noong Hunyo 6, 1882ng sanggol na lalaki na pinangalanang Jose; siSaturnina noong Setyembre 15, 1882 ngsanggol na lalaki na pinangalanang Alfredo; siNarcisa noong Hunyo 14, 1882 ng sanggol nababae na pinangalanang Maria Consolacion.Noong sumunod na taon si Olimpia namanang nagluwal ng kanyang pangalawang anakna si Aristeo; si Lucia ng isang sanggol nababae at ganoon din si Saturnina. Sa walongkapatid na babae ni Rizal na nag-asawa, angmay pinakamaraming anak ay si Narcisa(siyam ang naging anak); sinundan siya niLucia (walong anak); at kapwa nagkaroon nglimang anak sina Saturnina, Soledad, at Maria.Si Olimpia ang may pinakakaunting anak:dalawa. Si Olimpia ay namatay kasama angkanyang pangatlong anak na sanggol noong1887.

Kung ang pagluwal ng bagong sanggol aysinalubong ng kasiyahan, lungkot naman angbumalot sa dibdib ng mag-anak na Rizal satuwinang may namamatay na bata. Ipinamalitakay Rizal ang pagyaon ng mga pamangkin. SiJose na hangad ni Lucia na maging tulad ngkanyang amain ay sumakabilang-buhay,

Saturnina Soledad Trinidad

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ganoon din ang anak ni Narcisa na si Isabel.Binigyang katuwiran na lamang ng kanyangbayaw na si Mariano Herbosa ang pagpanawng kanyang anak sa pamamagitan ng mgakatagang “salamat at namatay na si Jose,hindi na maghihirap na caparis nang amingpaghihirap”. Sa bahagi ni Lucia ay hinikayatniya si Rizal na umuwi at mag-aral tungkol samga sakit ng babae.

Dahil sa namulat si Rizal hinggil sa katayuanng mga babae sa Europa, hindi siyanagkulang ng pangaral sa kanyang mganakababatang kapatid - sina Josefa, Trinidad,at Soledad. Hinikayat niya sila na mag-aral atmagsulat. Ibinalita ni Josefa o “Panggoy” nahindi siya ipinabalik ng kanilang ina sa Mayniladahil sa epidemiko ng kolera na dumaan sabayan noong 1882.

Mga payong kapatid

Kung pangaral lamang ang pag-uusapan aymarami ang natanggap ng kanyang mgakapatid na Trining, Josefa, at Soledad. Payoniya kay Trining:

Kung gayon kapatid ko: Ipinapayo ko sa iyongmagsikap ng mabuti, mag-aral ng Kastila,pagbilang, pagsulat at higit sa lahat ngmagandang asal at mabuting pag-uugali,sakaling ito’y itinuturo diyan, gaya ngnararapat ipalagay. Sa daigdig na ito, angpinakamahalagang bagay ay hindi ang sintasna bughaw, ang sintas na luntian, hindi rin

naman pinakamabuti angpaglalaro sa mga silid-tulugan opaninirang puri o pagkagalit samabababa sa atin at pagwiwikang mga salitang masasakit atnakaruruhap. Ni hindi rin siyangpinakamahalagang kabaitan anghumalik ng kamay ng mgamongha at pari. Hindi magigingmasama kung bukod pa sa mgaito’y gumawa ng mabuti, magsabing totoo at umiwas sa lahat ngpagmamalabis maging anuman

In Paris, during the International Fair

ang uri nito.

Ang pagpapakasal ng bunsong si Soledad oCholeng kay Pantaleon Quintero na tagaCalamba ay mukhang nagdulot ng sama ngloob sa mag-anak na Rizal. Naipamalas ito ngliham ng pamangkin ni Rizal na si AngelicaLopez. Sabi niya na hindi na siya nagsasadyasa bahay ni Tiya Choleng dahil “ang lahat ngnasa bahay ay ayaw na ako’y lumapit sakanya. Dinagdagan ni Trining ito sapamamagitan ng pagbalita na si Choleng aymag-aasawa na ngunit hindi gusto angkanilang magiging manugang na lalaki.Ibinalita naman ni Narcisa na nag-asawa na siCholeng ngunit wala sa kanilang angkan angdumalo sa kasal dahil hindi sila inanyayahan.Bunga ng pangyayaring ito ay nagliham siRizal na siyam na taon ang tanda kay Cholengng ganito:

Sakaling kayo’y may kasintahan, sa halip ngmga lihim na tipanan at pagniniig na walangibinubunga kundi pababain ang halaga ngisang babae sa mata ng isang lalaki,pakitunguhan ninyo sila nang marangal atkarapat-dapat; at maging marangal atkarapat-dapat naman sila at ipakilala nilangisang lalaki at hindi parang magnanakaw omapagsamantalang nagkukubli’t nagtatago.

Dagdag ni Rizal kay Choleng:

Ikaw ay hindi na isang batang babae, kayo’yhindi na mga batang babae, ni hindi kayomangmang; salamat sa ating mga magulang,

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may pinag-aralan at pagkatuto kayo.Kinakausap ko kayo bilang mga kapatid kongbabae at inuulit ko sa inyo: isaalang-alangninyo ang katandaan ng mga magulang natin,ang inyong karangalan at ang karangalannatin lahat. Marami kayong mga pamangkinbabae; bigyan ninyo sila ng magandanghalimbawa at maging karapat-dapat kayo sainyo na ring sarili.

Hinangad ni Rizal na maging mulat angkanyang mga kapatid. Noon siya ay nasaHongkong, iniwanan niya si Josefa at Triningna mag-aral ng Ingles doon at natuwa siya nasumusulat si Josefa sa kanya sa wikangIngles. Ang pag-aaral ng Ingles na ayon kayRizal ay hindi isang bagay na walang kabulu-han. Hinikayat niya ang dalawang walangasawang kapatid na sa oras na matuto sila ngIngles ay mababasa na nila ang kaniyang mgaaklat at nobelang Ingles. Hindi rin kalabisanayon kay Rizal kung matuto sila ng Insik atPortugues. Ipinaliwanag ni Rizal na “Ang lahatng kaalaman ay maaaring pakinabangan”.

Noon ibig ni Trining na magbukod, bagay nahindi karaniwan noong panahon na iyon atpinayuhan siya ni Rizal ng ganito:

Tayong mga Rizal ay may katangiangmabuhay nang sama-sama o magkakasamamabuti. Mabuti nga na ang bawa’t isa’ymagkaroon ng sariling bahay, sakalingninanais mong magkaroon ng bahay na sariliay tutulungan kita nang buong makakaya kosa upa at iba pang gugol. Hindi mabuti saiyong mamuhay nang hiwalay sa ating mgamagulang at dapat mong sikaping magtiis-tiis,sumang-ayon at magbata sapagkat ang mgakatangiang ito’y ipinagkakapuri ng isangdalaga . . . Ang isang babaeng namumuhaysa sinapupunan ng isang mag-anak aynararapat magtiis ng mga kakulangan nito, osumunod sa puno ng mag-aanak at sakalinghindi siya makasang-ayon sa gayon ay walasiyang ibang paraang magagawa kundimamuhay ng bukod. Kinakailangang ikaw aymaging mapaghawak sa matuwid at sumang-

ayon sa mga pangangailangan ng mgakaanak.

Mukha namang sinunod ni Trining angkanyang kuya at sa isang liham ay binanggit niTrining ang dahilan ng kanyang hindi pag-aasawa. Iginalang ni Rizal ang pananaw sapamamagitan ng mga sumusunod na salita:“Inaakala kong may katwiran ka sa hindi pag-aasawa; ang lalong pinakamapalad na babaeay nararapat magtiis sa kanyang asawa atmasuong sa panganib ng kamatayan sapanganganak”.

Nagkaroon rin ng pagkakataon na sinikapimpluwensiyahan ng mga kapatid na babaeang mga desisyon ni Rizal.

Payo ng mga kapatid ni Rizal sa kanya

Noong si Rizal ay nagpasiya na bumalik saPilipinas pagkatapos nailimbag ang panga-lawa niyang nobela, El Filibusterismo, pinayu-han siya ng mga kapatid na huwag bumalikdahil mainit ang mata ng mga Kastila sakanya. Nataon pa na pumutok ang proble-mang agraryo sa Calamba. Payo ni Saturnina:“Huag ka munang paririto hanggang ualangcahusayan, totoong perseguido tayo ngayon”.Sinulat ito ni Saturnina noong araw napinatapon sina Paciano, Antonino, Dandoy,Silvestre, at Teong sa Calapan, Mindoro. Anghindi bumalik sa Pilipinas ay payo rin ngkanyang bayaw na si Manuel Hidalgo bitiw angmga salitang “Huwag kang paririto, kami’ylubhang pinag-uusig . . .” Inulit ni Narcisa angbabala: “. . . sa aming palagay ay hindimagiging isang gawaing matino ang ikaw ayumuwi sa mga panahong ito, sa dahilangmasusuong ka sa malaking panganib . . .”

Ganoon pa man nagpasiya si Rizal na umuwi.Binanggit ni Rizal sa kanyang liham na angpag-uwi sa Pilipinas ay “putungan ang akingginawa at saksihan ng aking halimbawa anglagi kong ipinapangaral. Dagdag in Rizal:

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Nararapat humandang mamatay ang taoalang-alang sa kanyang tungkulin at mgapananalig. Paninindigan ko ang lahat ng mgakaisipang ipinahayag ko hinggil sa katayuanat sa hinaharap ng aking bayan, at dahil sakanya’y nasisiyahan akong mamatay, higit sarito’y upang maihanap ko kayo ng katarunganat katahimikan.

Sa pamamagitan ng mga pangungusaaap naito ay handang harapin ni Rizal ang bunga ngkanyang mga ginawa at handang bigyan ngkatarungan at katahimikan ang bunga ngkanyang mga ginawa at handang bigyan ngkatarungan at katahimikan ang kanyangpamilya.

Ang huling paalam sa mga kapatid nababae

Sa pamilya at bayan siya nagpaalam noonghuling sandali ng kanyang buhay. Naglihimsiya sa kanyang mga kapatid na babae noongtumulak siya papuntang Cuba bilang isangdoktor. Ganito ang isinaad niya sa kanyangkapatid na babae:

Itinatagubilin ko sa inyong alagaan,paglingkuran, at mahalin ang ating mgamagulang gaya ng nanaisin ninyong kayo’yalagaan, paglingkuran, at mahalin pagkataposng mga anak ninyo kapag kayo’y matanda na.Mamuhay kayong nagkakaisa, atmagpatawaran ang isa’t isa ng mgakagulangan ng ugali at maliit na kapintasan -ito’y mga tinik na katutubo ng buhay, sa

dahilang isasama ng loob ng mga magulangang mamalas na ang mga anak nila ay hindinagkakasundu-sundo.

Ang mga payo ni Rizal na alagaan ang mgamagulang, ang magkasundu-sundo ang mgamagkakapatid, at ang pagpapasensiya samga kakulangan ng mga kapatid ay muliniyang inulit sa kanyang huling liham.Namaalam si Rizal sa kanyang mga kapatidna babae at muling idiniin ang mga binanggitsa itaas. Sabi ni Rizal:

Itinatagubilin ko sa inyong kayo’ymagpatawaran sana ng maliliit na bagay sabuhay at sikaping mabuhay nang nagkakaisasa kapayapaan at mabuting pagkakasundo.Pakisamahan ninyo ang ating matatandangmagulang nang gaya ng ninanais ninyongkayo’y pakisamahan ng inyong mga anak,pagkatapos. Mahalin ninyo sila nang taimtim,sa paggunita sa akin.

Konklusyon

Sa paggunita natin ngayon ng araw ngkamatayan ni Jose Rizal, sariwain din natinang kadakilaan niya sa hanay ng kanyangpamilya. Kung nagtagumpay si Rizal sakanyang mithiin para sa ating bayan, ito’y dahilsa matulungin at matatag na pamilya napinagmulan niya. Liban sa kaisa-isa niyangkapatid na lalaki, na si Paciano, inaruga,minahal at ipinagmalaki siya ng mga kapatidna babae. Sinuklian ito ni Rizal ngpagmamahal at kalinga at humingi siya ngtawad sa dalamhating idinulot niya sa kanila.

Patuloy na makabuluhan ang mga pangaralpampamilya ni Rizal sa atin. Patunay ito ngkanyang kadakilaan. Sana’y patuloy natingsariwain at kapulutan ng mga gintong aral angbuhay ng bayaning si Jose Rizal.

Magandang umaga po.

(Papel na binasa noong Disyembre 30, 2000 saCalamba, Laguna.)

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Introduction

Various reports about the many indignities and insults done against Filipinos abroad should giveus many ideas to think about. According to a news report from Hongkong, “Filipinos and dogs”are not allowed to use the elevator in one high-rise apartment there. Those carrying Philippine

passports were singled out abroad, suspected of carrying forged documents. “Domestic helper”is given the meaning “Filipino” in one foreign dictionary. “Japayukis”, “GROs”, “mail-order brides”,and “OCWs” are the other deprecating identities to our women. It appears that the Filipinos haveaccepted these injuries and insults without vigorously protesting them. Here at home, we do thesame things to ourselves and, worst, to our revered national heroes, especially Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

There have been sustained efforts to belittle our heroes. Malicious rumors circulate againstthem. Allegedly, Mabini’s paralysis was due to “venereal disease”; Bonifacio is an “invented

hero”; Marcelo H. del Pilar “retracted”, too; and President Emilio Aguinaldo is a “murderer”. Themost malignant writings are directed against Dr. Rizal. Foremost of these writings is the onealleging that the Americans “created” him as the national hero of the Filipino people.1 Not a

protest was registered against the perpetrator of this blatant fallacy slandering the honor and thememory of no less than the national hero of the Philippines.

The relevance of

Dr. Jose P. Rizal:

Beyond A.D. 2000by Luis Camara Dery, Ph.D.

Department of HistoryDe La Salle University

Manila

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Rizal’s nationalism and his relevancebeyond A.D. 2000

So many misleading ideas exist in our historytextbooks. There is a pressing need to correctthem and expose their falsity in order to endthe ongoing damages they have wroughtagainst the Filipino people and their sense ofnational pride and identity. It is easy to exposethese wrong ideas - by going to the basicsources, the documents left behind by thesegreat Filipinos, especially their writings. In sodoing, their incomparable patriotism, theirgreatness and the loftiness of their deeds forour country are highlighted thus contradictingand correcting such misleading ideas. In theprocess, such corrections would uplift thesense of dignity and pride of our being Filipi-nos.

The historical rule “No document, no history”aptly applies to Dr. Rizal. Being a majorPhilippine figure, he is inextricably intertwinedwith the past and the future of the Filipinopeople. His life and his writings have cast agiant shadow over our country and its inhabit-ants. Unfortunately, many of his works are not

available to many Filipinos particularly those inthe provinces. Hence, the ideas that they haveabout Rizal are largely second-hand. Thisdenies them the opportunity to truly under-stand and appreciate the real Dr. Jose P. Rizaland not the one pre-digested for them bybiased writers. For example, the Noli MeTangere and the El Filibusterismo were taughtand are being taught as nothing but about theill-fated love story of Ibarra-Simoun and MariaClara. Many young Filipino males continue tobelieve that Maria Clara is the ideal Filipina.Thus, one critic wrote that many venerateRizal without really understanding him and hisworks.2

Wenceslao Retana, foremost Spanish writeron Rizal described him as “El Verbo de laRevolucion” (the Messiah of the PhilippineRevolution) for it was him who articulated andconcretized the Filipinos desire to be freeleading to their awakening and the end ofSpanish dominance over the country. Rizal’sstruggles for and in behalf of his countrymenmade him the concrete symbol for the Filipinopeople’s libertarian aspirations. His ideas onhuman rights, human values, the dignity of

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man, and love of country made him the idealmodel for the Filipino people. His nationalism -or love of one’s country - is unparalleled. TheMotherland preoccupied his thoughts through-out his life. “Everything referring to my coun-try”, he wrote Ferdinand Blumentritt, “interestsme greatly”. On his last return to the Philip-pines, he emphasized this again:

I shall devote my strength to the Motherland. Itdoes not matter what they may say about me; Ihave done my duty, I envy no one, I trust in Godand in the fate of my country . . . My countrylures me . . .3

Rather than enjoy a life of ease and wealth ina foreign land, he preferred to sacrifice his lifefor his people and country.4 It was his love forhis people and country that drove Rizal toembark on a perilous journey that ended atBagumbayan. He was convinced that it washis duty to do so:

I am not repenting for having undertaken thiscampaign. If I were now in the beginning of mylife, I would do the same that I have done,because I am sure that I ought to do it, it wasthe duty of everyone; and God would ask me,why did you not combat the evil and injusticewhen you saw them?5

A profound student of history, Rizal saw thesad plight of his countrymen. The centuries ofSpanish rule in the Philippines had radicallytransformed the Filipino people. A once proud,vigorous, superior and industrious people hadbecome apathetic, lazy, inferior, submissive,and backward people. The word “indio” be-came a degrading label and “Juan Tamad”synonymous with the native inhabitants. ThusRizal sought to correct these evils through hiswritings. He sought to reinvigorate his country-men, to awaken in them of their lost identityand pride as a people. “To foretell the destinyof a nation it is necessary to open the bookthat tells of her past”, thus Rizal prefaced hisendeavors to cure his countrymen from theirmany “ills of the Filipino soul”, awaken themfrom their centuries of lethargy and degrada-tion, and uplift their dignity and advancementas a people.

His Noli Me Tangere fired the first salvo. Hisletter to Blumentritt on March 21, 1887 ex-plained why he wrote it:

The Filipinos will find in it the history of the lastten years. I hope you will note how differentare my descriptions from those of otherwriters. The government and the friars willprobably attack the work, refuting my argu-ments; but I trust in the God of Truth and in thepersons who have seen our sufferings atclose range. Here I answer all the falseconcepts which have been formed against usand all the insults which have been intendedto belittle us . . .6

In his defense of this book, Marcelo H. delPilar succinctly stated Rizal’s message:

[Rizal] satirizes the social evils among thepeople as well as in the institutions. Thus, heupbraids the simony and oppression of thereligious, the venality of the officials, thetheocratic-clerical tutelage imposed on theFilipino government, the abuses of the army.He reproaches, among the common people,their passion for cockfighting; the indolence offamily-heads . . .; the mercenariness of theignorant; in Capitan Tiago, egoism, fanati-cism, ambition . . . and more . . .7

Indeed, as Father Faura, one of Rizal’s formerfriar-professors, told Rizal: “You have notwritten a novel, you have described the sadcondition of our time . . .”

His dedication to the Filipino people in hisannotated version of Antonio de Morga’s 1606

Ferdinand Blumentritt

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book, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas and hisintroduction to his Noli Me Tangere reveal thereasons that motivated him to write suchworks:

In the Noli Me Tangere I began the sketch ofthe present state of our Native Land. Theeffect that my attempt produced pointed out tome, before proceeding to unfold the othersuccessive pictures before your eyes, thenecessity of first making known to you thepast in order that you may be able to judgebetter the present and to measure the roadtraversed during three centuries.

Born and reared in the ignorance of ourYesterday, like almost all of you, without voiceor authority to speak about what we did notsee or studied, I considered it necessary toinvoke the testimony of an illustrious Spaniardwho governed the destinies of the Philippinesin the beginning of her new era and wit-nessed the last moments of our ancientnationality. It is then the shadow of thecivilization of our ancestors which the authoris now evoking before you . . .

If the book succeeds to awaken your con-sciousness of our past, already effaced fromyour memory, and to rectify what has beenfalsified and slandered, then I have notworked in vain, and with this as a basis,however small it may be, we shall be able tostudy the future. . .8

In annotating Antonio de Morga’s 1606 book,Rizal conclusively proved that the precolonialFilipinos were very active participants in thedynamics of the socio-politico-economicactivities then ongoing in Asia and elsewhere.Through documentary evidences, Rizalshowed that the precolonial Filipinos had hadcenturies of trade and other ties with manycountries, hundreds of thriving industries,feared and respected by the inhabitants oftheir neighboring countries, politically ad-vanced, etc. To demonstrate the wealth of ourforefathers, Rizal cited the case of thepeoples of Lumban, Mahayhay, Liliw, andNagkarlang of Laguna province:

An evidence of this quality and the ancientwealth of the Filipinos was the religious feastthat the town of Lumbang (Laguna) celebratedin 1600. They made a rattan lamp covered

with diamonds and jewels of pure gold thatweighed three arrobas (75 pounds) andwhose jewels and diamonds belonged to thetowns of Mahayhay, Liliw, and Nagkarlang.The litters (andas) also were of rattan whosedecorations of gold and precious stonesweighed four arrobas. And a triumphal chariotof such magnitude that it moved on 26wheels, all covered with jewels of extremevalue!9

The brilliance reflected by these preciousstones was sufficient to light the way for thepeople during the procession. Independentaccounts corroborated Rizal’s findings. TheBikol datus, wrote many friar-chroniclers whorecorded the early years of Spanish conquestof Bikolandia, owned as much as four quintals(one quintal equals 101 lbs.) of gold dust.

The alleged laziness of the Filipinos was thenext fallacy that Rizal demolished. In hisessay On the Indolence of the Filipinos, hedemonstrated that a combination of factorscompelled the Filipinos to become lazy andunproductive. He showed that Spanish con-quest, exploitative colonial policies, abuses,misrule, Spain’s foreign wars, and the rebel-lions that such policies and maltreatmentsprovoke curtailed the native inhabitant’sindustries and killed their initiative to be pro-ductive. Rizal concluded in this essay:

Deprive a man of his dignity, and you not onlydeprive him of his moral stamina but also yourender him useless even to those who want tomake use of him. Every being in creation hashis spur, his mainspring; man’s is his self-respect; take it away from him and he be-comes a corpse; and he who demandsactivity from a corpse will find only worms. . .10

Rizal believed that the women of the Philip-pines are the wellsprings of the nation. “Every-body knows the power and the prudence ofthe women in the Philippines”, Rizal wrote,“hence they blind them, chain them, weakentheir spirit, so sure are they that so long as themother is a slave, all her children can beenslaved also. This is the reason of theenslavement of Asia; the women in Asia areignorant and oppressed . . .” Rizal was deeply

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aware of the crucial roles that women play inthe well being and advancement of a nation.He believed that womanhood is the foundationof nationhood! Seeing what happened to manywomen in his country, he despaired. “When Iwrote the Noli Me Tangere I pondered long onwhether or not courage was a common virtueof the young women of our country. Though Isearched my memory diligently, though Irecalled one by one all the young women Ihave known since childhood, only a fewconformed to the ideal I longed for”, thus Rizallamented the downfall of the Filipina. But newsof what the women of Malolos did when theysuccessfully overcame the town-curate’sopposition to their plan to establish a schoolfor the children of Malolos roused his saggingspirit. In his now famous Message to theWomen of Malolos, Rizal described andenumerated the qualities of his ideal Filipina -qualities that would enable her to fulfill hercrucial role in uplifting the nation and itspeople. Good conduct, clean conscience,upright thinking, obeys what is reasonable andjust, and distinguishes what is right and whatis wrong are only some of the characteristicshe mentioned that should be possessed byhis ideal Filipina. Describing further his idealFilipina, he wrote:

Consider that a good mother is different fromthe one created by the friars. Raise yourchildren close to the image of the true God -the God who cannot be bribed, the God who isnot avaricious, the God who is the father of all,who is not partial, the God who does not fattenon the blood of the poor, who does not rejoiceat the plaint of the afflicted, and does notobfuscate the intelligent mind. Awaken andprepare the mind of the child for every goodand desirable idea - love for honor, sincereand firm in character, clear mind, clearconduct, noble action, love for one’s fellow-men, respect for God - teach this to yourchildren. And because life is full of sorrowsand perils, fortify their character against anydifficulty, strengthen their hearts against anydanger. The country should not expect honorand prosperity so long as the education of thechild is defective, so long as the women whoraise the children are enslaved and ignorant .. .

If she is a young woman, let the young manlove her not only for her beauty or the sweet-ness of her disposition but also for thefirmness of her character, her lofty ideas thatinvigorate and encourage the weak andtimorous man or arouse brilliant ideas. Thatshe may be a young woman of whom thecountry can be proud of, a young woman whoinspires respect . . .

When she becomes a wife, she should helpher husband in every difficulty, encourage him,share with him all perils, console him, and

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drive away his woes, always bearing in mindthat a heroic heart can endure any sufferingand no legacy is as bitter as the legacy ofinfamy and slavery. Teach your children toguard and love their honor, to love theirfellowmen, their native land, and to performtheir duties. Tell them repeatedly to preferdeath with honor to life with dishonor . . .11

Before such descriptions, Maria Clara is apallid example. How could she be the rolemodel for our women when she is the off-spring of an adulterous relations between amarried woman and a priest? Unfortunately,many Filipinos emulated her - to the detrimentof generations upon generations of ourwomen. Thus the writer Carmen GuerreroNakpil commented that “the greatest misfor-tune that has befallen Filipino women in thelast one hundred years is Maria Clara”.12

Debased and degraded, the native inhabitantswere derisively called “indio”, “brute”,“chonggo” (ape). As a result, the Filipinosduring the Spanish era - and thereafter - losttheir belief in their own capabilities, they forgottheir identity, their capacities to be creative,innovative, and original in ideas. They felt

sage to the downtrodden Filipinos by preach-ing and writing against it “to the extent ofpromising eighty days’ indulgence” to whoeverwould obey their counsel.13

Doña Consolacion is a human debris of herformer self, one who is identified as the “Museof the soldiers”, a figurative phrase to mean“prostitute”. Capitan Tiago “is such a dedi-cated collaborationist that his finer sensibilitieshave been dulled to the point of indifference tobeing cuckolded”. Doña Victorina exemplifiesthe massive colonial mentality that has cap-tured the minds of many Filipinos who slav-ishly adore all things foreign and despise theirnative land. She is a hopeless clone of theSpanish model she desperately want to beand is “a social climber” whose “sole purposeis to gain entrance to the exclusive companyof the [colonial masters]. And speaking badSpanish, she goes about exhibiting herselfand her sick colonial mentality” through heruse of rice powder to whiten her skin resultingonly in her appearing horribly grotesque.14 DonCustodio and Señor Pasta are vivid examples

inferior before the foreign-ers and idolized them -until now. This inferioritycomplex proved fatal tothem. They became blindimitators. Worse, theyimitated the vices and notthe virtues of their colonialmasters - mañana habit,belief in chance, slavishadoration of anythingforeign, and addiction togambling and holidays.Rizal bitingly exposedthem all.

In his novel Noli MeTangere, Rizal vigorouslycensured the rottennessof Philippine society. Thefriars sought to stifle thebook’s devastating mes-

of public officials whoare spineless, selfish,corrupt, and unprin-cipled. Of course, thedancer Pepay exempli-fies the mistresses ofthese officials.

To demonstrate thedevastating effects ofreligious fanaticism andhypocrisy on the inhabit-ants, Rizal reproducedthem in the charactersof the Tertiary Sisters(Manang Rufa, Sepa,Juana, Pute, and Bali) -gossipers, tools of thefriars, and hypocrites.Sister Bali brought thedeath of the hapless Juli

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who, to preserve her womanhood from thelustful Fray Camorra, chose death by jumpingfrom the convent’s window.

By exposing the massive social cancer thathad eroded the native society and by highlight-ing the physical and intellectual stagnation ofthe Filipinos in their own country, Rizalstressed the idea that there is no future for anenslaved people. Embedded in his two novels,however, are remedies which he suggestedand elucidated in the aims of the La LigaFilipina: unity of the people into one compact,vigorous, and homogenous body; mutualprotection in every want and necessity; de-fense against all violence and injustice; en-couragement of instruction, agriculture, andcommerce; and study and application ofreforms.15

His essay The Philippines A Century Henceembodied his vision of a future Philippines.What is significant in this essay is that heissued dire warning to the Spanish colonialauthorities both in Manila and Madrid that a

where the mind and the human heart arecompelled to keep silent . . .

History does not record in its annals anyenduring rule of one people over another,who belong to different races, with distinctusages and customs, with adverse or

divergent ideals . . .16

As early as 1887, in his June 19 letter toBlumentritt that year, he already made suchchillingly accurate forecast:

I thank you for your pious thoughts and I willleave for my native country consoled. I assureyou that I have no desire to take part inconspiracies which seem to me too prema-ture and risky. But if the government drives usto them, that is to say, when no other hoperemains to us but seek our destruction in war,when the Filipinos would prefer to die ratherthan endure longer their misery, then I willalso become a partisan of violent means. Thechoice of peace or destruction is in the handsof Spain, because it is a clear fact, known toall, that we are patient, excessively patient andpeaceful, mild, unfeeling, etc.17

revolution in the Philip-pines was inevitable ifSpain shall remain deafto the Filipino people’sclamor for reforms.Specifically, Rizal ex-pressed such warning:

The Philippines . . .either will remainunder Spain but withmore rights andfreedom, or willdeclare herselfindependent afterstaining herself andthe Mother Countrywith her own blood . . .Uprisings andrevolutions havealways taken place incountries undertyrannical govern-ments, under those

A year later, Rizal’ssentiments were graverand desperate. In hisJune 23, 1888 letter toBlumentritt he wrote:

. . . the majority ofthe Filipinos havelost already thehope they havepinned on Spain.Now we await ourfate from God andfrom ourselves, butnever anymorefrom any Govern-ment!18

Distinct in Rizal’scampaign to uplift hisenslaved countrymenwas his frequentemphasis on their

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educational advancement. “The education ofthe people”, he wrote, “is my supreme aspira-tion”.19 To him, education is the prerequisite foran enslaved people to attain freedom. In fact,he stressed the idea that “universal suffrage isdangerous in a country where the masses arelittle educated”.20

Reviewing Rizal’s life and works, one is led toconclude that his martyrdom was inevitable.His exemplary nationalism, the ideas andideals he espoused for his country and peoplewere diametrically opposed to those of theSpaniards who desired the continued rule ofSpain over the Philippines. Indeed, the colonialauthorities had to execute him in the mistakenbelief that it will abort the germination andproliferation of his ideas and ideals among hisshackled countrymen. In so doing - that ofkilling Rizal - the colonial authorities onlycreated a lasting symbol for the Filipino people

to strive more to cut off the colonial yoke. TheSpanish scholar Wenceslao Retana aptlydescribed the impact of Rizal on his country-men: “Rizal, el Verbo de la Revolucion”.21

Up to the last moments on that fateful Decem-ber 30, 1896 the Spanish civil and religiousauthorities vainly strived to make Rizal give uphis ideas and “his ardent love of his country”.That they failed could be seen from the recur-rence, year after year, of the myth that he“retracted”. His “Last Farewell” is the solidtestament that he remained firm andunshakeable in his conviction and sentimentsfor his Motherland.

Summing Up

Our elders have a saying: “Ang mabungangpuno ay laging binabato”. Rizal is a very good

Up to the last moments on that fatefulDecember 30, 1896 the Spanish civil and

religious authorities vainly strived to makeRizal give up his ideas and “his ardent love

of his country”.

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example of this adage. There have been manyattempts to discredit him - mostly comingfrom his own countrymen! It is very ironicbecause many foreign nations have idolizedhim.

There are many documentary evidences thatexpose the falsity of the allegation that theAmericans “created” Rizal as the nationalhero of the Filipino people and that AndresBonifacio should replace Rizal.

No less than the Filipino heroes put up byRizal’s detractors to replace the latter them-selves idolize Rizal. Bonifacio exalted Rizal.Through his proposal, the Katipunan SupremeCouncil made Rizal the honorary president ofthe Katipunan. Bonifacio even used the name“Rizal” as the password of the Katipunerosand as the highest rank in the Katipunanhierarchy.

Aguinaldo equally esteemed Rizal. He issueda decree on December 20, 1898 settingDecember 30 of every year as Memorial Dayto honor Rizal and the other Filipinos whosacrificed their lives for the Motherland. Duringthe revolution, many towns petitioned Presi-dent Aguinaldo to rename theirs to that of“Rizal”. There are thousands of streets,buildings, products, places, schools andFilipinos named in honor of Rizal. Even theilliterate and the downtrodden masses estab-lished cults venerating him as a saint.22 For-eign admirations complement these localreverence. On August 5, 1996, the Malaysiangovernment sponsored an internationalconference on Rizal and no less than itsDeputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim,claimed Rizal as his model.23 The city govern-ment of Madrid, Spain renamed a majorthoroughfare in downtown Madrid into“Avenida de Dr. Jose P. Rizal”. Monumentswere erected to honor him -- the latest werethose inaugurated in Auckland, New Zealandand Chicago, Illinois.

Belittling Rizal and the other Filipino heroesmeans belittling the Filipino people. Debase

the national model and you debase the peopleand deprive them of someone to look up to.Destroy the national model and you lead thepeople astray for they are deprive of an ex-ample to guide them. The Filipino people is aninferior people because their national model isa weakling, etc. These are the malicioushidden agenda of those who persist in dis-crediting Rizal. On the other hand, preserveRizal as our national model and you foster theunity and sense of pride of the Filipino people.Rizal repeatedly emphasized in all his writingsthat a people who is not proud of themselvesand are ignorant of their past will never knowtheir identity and is a people that could easilybe dominated by other peoples and that theycould never expect to be respected by othernations. “National dignity and patriotism”,wrote an expatriate in the Philippines, “growand are sustained by living memories of thenation’s struggle for independence and thesacrifices of a generation to break the chainsof colonialism . . . National pride and self-respect endure when national heroes arehonored and their sacrifices, bravery andintegrity are imitated”.24

“Japayuki”, “domestic helper”, “GRO”, etc.these are some of the stereotype images ofthe Filipinos abroad. It is sad to note that theseidentities will persist in the years to come andthat they show that many of our countrymenhave failed to understand and imbibe theideals that Rizal and the rest of our heroesfought and died for - the upholding of thedignity of the Filipino people and pride inthemselves as Filipinos. Doña Victorina, DoñaConsolacion, Capitan Tiago, etc. continue toexist among us today. These “ills of theFilipino soul”, as one expatriate pointed out,“will never be cured until the Filipinos takepride in being Filipino”.25 The “First Filipino”,Dr. Jose P. Rizal, is a shining example whowas proud that he is a Filipino. This is therelevance of Dr. Rizal for us today and for themany years to come. Let us preserve him asour National Hero.

Thank you.

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Endnotes

1Cited in Esteban de Ocampo, “Who Made Rizal Our Foremost National Hero, and Why?”, in Dr. SixtoY. Orosa, ed., The Greatness of Dr. Jose Rizal (Manila: Philippine Booklovers Society, 1960), p. 11;Glenn Anthony May, Inventing a Hero: The Posthumous Re-creation of Andres Bonifacio (QuezonCity: New Day Publishers, Inc., 1977).

2Renato Constantino, “Veneration Without Understanding”, Dissent and Counter-Consciousness(Quezon City: Malaya Books, 1969), pp. 125-145.

3Rizal to Blumentritt, 9 October 1891, in The Rizal-Blumentritt Correspondence (Manila: NationalHistorical Institute, 1992), Vol. 2, p. 418.

4Rizal to Blumentritt, 20 July 1890, Ibid., p. 373.

5Rizal to Blumentritt, 29 March 1891, Ibid., p. 395.

6Rizal to Blumentritt, 21 March 1887, Ibid., Vol. 1, p. 62.

7Marcelo H. del Pilar, “A Defense of the Noli”, Historical Bulletin (December 1961), p. 4.

8Antonio de Morga, Historical Events of the Philippine Islands (Mexico: 1969), annotated by Jose Rizal(Manila: National Historical Institute, 1990), p. vii.

9Ibid.

10Jose Rizal, “The Indolence of the Filipinos”, in Political and Historical Writings (Manila: NationalHistorical Commission, 1972), p. 257.

11_____, “Message to the Women of Malolos”, Ibid., pp. 56-66.

12Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, “Maria Clara”, in Petronilo Bn. Daroy and Dolores Feria, Rizal: ContraryEssays (Quezon City: Guro Books, 1967), p. 85.

13Ferdinand Blumentritt, “Critique of the Noli”, Historical Bulletin (December 1961), p. 14.

14Godofredo Rivera, “Rizal’s Tiago and Victorina”, The Weekly Nation (June 19, 1967), p. 21.

15Political and Historical Writings, pp. 309-316.

16Ibid., pp. 130-163.

17Rizal to Blumentritt, 19 June 1887, The Rizal-Blumentritt Correspondence, Vol. 1, p. 105.

18Rizal to Blumetritt, 23 June 1888, Ibid., Vol. 1, p. 172.

19Rizal to Blumentritt, 31 March 1890, Ibid., Vol. 2, p. 344.

20Blumentritt to Rizal, 22 December 1890, Ibid., Vol. 2, p. 388.

21Wenceslao Retana, “Kataastaasan Katipunan Nang Manga Anac Nang Bayan - Altisima Sociedad delos Hijos del Pueblo”, La Politica de España en Filipinas (31 de Enero 1897), pp. 44-45.

22Marcelino A. Foronda, Jr., “Cults Honoring Rizal”, Historical Bulletin (December 1961), pp. 47-144.Foronda mentioned the following cults that venerate Rizal: Sambahang Rizal, Watawat ng Lahi,Bathalismo Inang Mahiwaga, Adarnista, and Iglesia Sagrada Filipina.

23M. Rajaretnam, ed., Jose Rizal and the Asian Renaissance (Manila: Solidaridad Publishing House,1996).

24Fr. Shay Cullen, SSC, “The Erosion of National Pride”, Philippines Daily Inquirer (November 5,1994), p. 7.

25Barth Suretsky, “An Interesting Expat’s Observation About the Philippines” (A.D. 2000).

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This paper does not propose that Dr.Jose Rizal was a psychologist. Rizal did notundergo professional training in psychology.My intention here is to search for conceptsRizal may have directly or indirectly dealt within his two novels, Noli Me Tangere and ElFilibusterismo, and a major essay, LaCuración de los Hechizados (The Treatmentof the Possessed), that reflect types of humanbehavior usually described in psychologytextbooks.

I have set four objectives: To discover in theaforementioned works by Rizal certain con-cepts that may have theoretical and pragmaticimplications to modern psychology andpsychiatry; to find out the historical roots of hisknowledge in psychology; to evaluate whetheror not Rizal’s concepts related to psychologyand psychiatry fall under behavioral tenets orpsychoanalytic principles; and to examine ifsome of the present Filipino behavioral pat-

terns continue to adhere to Rizal’s “diagnosis”and “prognosis’.

My discussion will revolve around the charac-ters in Noli who reappear in Fili or haunt itspages, specifically, Sisa, Pilosopong Tasyo,and Doña Victorina, three colorful literarycharacters who exhibit classic psychologicalprofiles in the real world. I will touch on thepossessed individual as examined in Rizal’sessay.

Sisa, whose sad life drives her to madness, isone of two tragic heroines of Noli. Her caseexemplifies a female Filipino adult, who has aweak personality, that is, in psychologicalparlance, very much below the 50th percen-tile. By contrast, her submissiveness almostreaches the 99th percentile. Her gambler of ahusband constantly takes out his anger overhis hard luck on his family. It is typical of himto come home, after sustaining heavy losses

Rizal and Psychologyby Dr. Regino P. Paular

Chief, Historical Education DivisionNational Historical Institute

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at the cockfight, tophysically abuse Sisaand their two children,Basilio and Crispin.Outside her home, Sisais also a victim. Herchildren, parish altarboys, are wrongly ac-cused of stealing moneyfrom the church. To payfor their “crime”, thepriest canes Crispin todeath and Basilio, whonarrowly escapes thesame fate, is grazed by aguardia civil’s bullet.Sisa’s misery is exacer-bated by the loss ofCrispin and the extremehumiliation she suffers atthe hands of the Spanishmilitia. Branded as amother of thieves and

Pilosopong Tasyo typifiesthe Filipino who is caughtbetween two disparatecultures, the East andthe West. As a youngman, he studied philoso-phy and was a brightstudent. In fact, too brightfor his mother’s comfort.Fearing that Tasyo mightbecome too absorbed inhis studies and, there-fore, forget God, hismother told him to makea choice: be a priest orleave school. He chosethe latter, being anobedient son, and alsobecause he was in love.He got married but was,unfortunately, widowedand orphaned in lessthan a year. Frustration,loneliness, and perhapsforced to walk to the cuartel under the cruel

stare of her neighbors, she breaks down. InFili, Sisa is resurrected as a disturbingmemory.

Through Sisa, Rizal attempted to show howthe psyche of the Filipino women of his timehad been adversely affected by the colonialculture. During the Spanish era, partly due tothe hold of medieval Catholicism and thegenerally accepted idea of women’s inferiorityto men, the Filipino woman was brought up toblindly obey the wishes of her parents (espe-cially her father’s) or husband; to never asserther own will; and to fully dedicate her life in theservice of God and family. Outside of thechurch and the home, she had no function.There was no room for her to develop into amature and independent person in this rigid,limited and sheltered environment. She couldbe likened to a piece of crystal -- decorativelybut extremely fragile. When confronted by aseverely threatening or frustrating experienceshe retreated, or worse, broke down. Such isSisa’s situation. A dutiful, submissive womanwho, when cornered and hurt, loses her gripon reality.

disenchantment with the colonial establish-ment he previously embraced drove him toseek solace in his books, in the cockpits, andin a life of sheer idleness. Eventually, althoughborn wealthy, his fortunes dwindled. An oldman when we meet him in Noli, he is touchedwith benign lunacy. But while the people ofSan Diego make fun of his odd ideas, such ashis theories on the doctrine of Purgatory, thereis method to his madness.

Rizal attempted to show us that reciprocalinhibition or sublimation or resorting to otheractivities to forget unpleasant experiences isthe common refuge of intelligent people.Repressing his personal problems throughreading was the only way Tasyo could pre-serve the appearance of sanity and blend inwith the “normal” world. The irony is, the morelearned he was, the farther he moved awayfrom what is perceived to be sane.

Doña Victorina is one of Rizal’s most colorfulcharacters. She is a monument to self-deception. A Filipino by blood, she styles

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herself as European. Shewears overlyaccessorized gowns; shecovers her face with ricepowder to hide her brownskin and her age. Andalthough she speaks badSpanish, she is “moreSpanish than Agustina deZaragosa”, a symbol ofSpanish patriotism.Naturally, her primeambition is to marry theSpaniard. However, noSpaniard seemed inter-ested. Not until Tiburciode Espadaña shows up inher middle age, when herluxuriant hair has thinnedout, wrinkles lined herface and “her teethstarted to loosen”. HerSpaniard, on the other

sion. Rizal argues that ifa person believes he isbeing subjected to kulamand then behaves as ifpossessed, he becomesa slave to his ownthoughts. This is aclassic case of auto-suggestion or self-hypnosis. His condition,which affects him bothphysically and mentally,is not a result of demonicpossession, but ratherthe power of the mind.

Rizal’s backgroundin psychologyRizal was introduced tothe field of psychologywhen he was studyingfor his bachillerato or

hand, is lame, bald, toothless, speaks with astutter, and is of low birth. Theirs is a perfectmarriage of compromise.

In Doña Victorina, Rizal has drawn a picture ofthe Filipino woman who has a distorted viewof herself. Rejecting her own kind as inferiorand admiring everything foreign, especiallyHispanic, she reinvents herself. She alters herphysical appearance through artificial means -- by using cosmetics that lighten the color ofher skin and by hiding her Asian frame insidevoluminous European dresses. However, inthe process she creates a misfit shunned byEuropeans as a freak and derided by her ownpeople as a caricature. In the end, DoñaVictorina becomes entrapped in her owndeception; she is ill at ease in both her ownand borrowed world.

Doña Victorina’s self-delusion finds furtherexplanation in Rizal’s essay, “La Curación delos Hechizados,” written in 1895. Here hedwells on kulam, or sorcery, and the modernconcept of auto-suggestion or self-hypnosisas the underlying cause of so-called posses-

high school diploma at the Ateneo de Manilain the 1870s. The subject, however, wastaught only as a part of philosophy.

Later, as a freshman medical student at theUniversidad de Santo Tomas and, later, atthe Universidad Central de Madrid, helearned more about ailments that affect themind. Even then, however, psychology/psychiatry was not offered as a distinctbranch of medicine, but it was incorporatedinto medical books. Therefore, conceptsrelevant to insanity -- its causes, effects, andrecommended therapy -- were studied anddiscussed.

Rizal’s medical training also exposed him tothe European understanding of mentalillness and its cure. His travels in Franceand Germany gave him the opportunity toobserve new trends in the treatment of thedisease. In addition, he must have readbooks on human behavior by two noted 19thcentury French doctors, Jean-Marie Charcot(1825-1893) and Joseph Breuer (1842-1925). Charcot, a psychiatrist, was a recog-

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nized authority on mentaldisorders while Breuerwas an advocate of thepractice of mesmerismin the treatment ofmental illness. SigmundFreud’s (1856-1939)association with the twodoctors helped himdevelop his now famouspsychoanalytic theoriesand treatment.

All told, Rizal’s academicbackground, personalexperiences and expo-sure to various socialmilieus gave him first-hand knowledge of theprobable causes andeffects of human behav-ior. Moreover, he was akeen observer of peopleand their idiosyncracies,a gift palpable in hisworks.

conduct herself withinthe norms taught heras child. Unable tomature psychologi-cally, she is not pre-pared to cope withextreme frustrations ordebilitating experi-ences. Overpoweredby an abusive husbandand later by the deathof a son, her ultimatedefense is madness.

Pilosopong Tasyo’sextreme retreat intobooks and new knowl-edge is a form ofreciprocal inhibition,that is, blocking nega-tive behavior withpositive behavior.Tasyo’s sorrow over

Psychoanalytic or behavioral?Rizal’s portrayal of Sisa, Pilosopong Tasyo,Doña Victorina, and the possessed individualcould be interpreted either through psycho-analysis or behavioral psychology. Psycho-analysis claims that human actions areinfluenced by hidden conflicts while behavioralpsychology puts emphasis on the environ-ment or reward system as a determinant ofhow an individual conducts himself.

I believe that Rizal’s exposition on the fourpersonalities under discussion leans moretoward behavioral rather than psychoanalysis.Sisa’s weak personality stems from upbring-ing. She learns to assume the role of a soft-spoken girl/lady, because her actuationsleading to this role, are always met by social,verbal or material reinforcements at home andin the community. Behavior, whether normal orabnormal, could be molded by a rewardsystem. Even as an adult, Sisa continues to

the death of his wife and mother could havedestroyed him had he not found an alternatereality in books.

Doña Victorina’s obnoxious behavior could bethe result of a complicated respondent oroperant conditioning. Passing herself off as aEuropean and intruding in other people’sbusiness, though her ideas are askew, if notmediocre, are manifestations of what theexperimental psychologist B.F. Skinner calls“superstitious behavior”. Her actions gounrewarded because none of them is worthrewarding. Be that as it may, her pretensionsand meddling are ceaseless. People endureher appearance and senseless talk out ofpoliteness, a response she interprets associal approval.

As explained by Rizal, the case of a personsupposedly under the power a mangkukulamcould be the result of auto-suggestion or self-hypnosis. In modern psychology/psychiatry,such a person can be compared to an indi-vidual who, under hypnosis, believes or doeswhatever is suggested to him.

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As can be gleaned from the characters ofSisa, Tasyo, and Doña Victorina as well asfrom his article on sorcery, Rizal’s concepts,both implied and symbolic, are relevant to thecontemporary field of psychology or psychia-try. His observations may be summarized asfollows. Extreme frustration could drive aperson to insanity, especially if the subject haslow self-esteem or a low level of endurance.Bad behavior like gambling could be inhibitedthrough environmental manipulation or recip-rocal inhibition, that is, by indulging in produc-tive activities like reading, thereby neglectingmaladaptive or bad behavior. Physical ormental pretensions could persist if the behav-ioral idiosyncracies of a subject are rewardedsocially, verbally, or materially even if they areabnormal or maladaptive, or if they are al-lowed to thrive as “superstitious behaviors”.Belief in sorcery could be explained in termsof auto-suggestion or self-hypnosis.

Past versus presentPraised for their timelessness, Rizal’s novelsoffer proof that Filipino society has notchanged much since his day. There arecountless Sisas roaming our streets. News-papers and police blotters are filled withstories of women who are victims of domesticviolence and neglect and who eventually endup as drug addicts, prostitutes, or suicides.Children of broken homes tell the same sadtales. Unlike in Rizal’s time, however, abusedwomen today can turn to NGOs who look aftertheir well-being and rights.

Pilosopong Tasyo lives in contemporaryFilipino intellectuals sequestered in ivorytowers. They know the world only in theabstract and regard it with disdain. They arecritical of government but refuse to do some-thing to make it better, such as exercising theirright to vote or running for public office. Theyare observers, never participants, preferringthe safe world of ideas to the more challeng-ing world of action.

Today’s Doña Victorina moves around theelite’s social circle. Her many incarnationsinclude the patroness of the arts, the belle ofthe ball, the champion of the poor. More oftenthan not, her titles have been acquired throughimage, not substance. Her male counterparts,the Don Victorinos, are no less ugly andignoble.

As to Rizal’s possessed individuals, thevictims of self-hypnosis or auto-suggestion,their malady has spread to half of the presentlabor force. In search of a better life, manyFilipino men and women have mesmerizedthemselves into believing that they wouldstrike gold as contract workers overseas.Some of them do. But some end up with theirdreams shattered by loneliness and a harshwork environment.

ConclusionRizal’s contribution to psychology and psy-chiatry is both diagnostic and prognostic. Hisportrayal of colonial Filipinos has both histori-cal and psychological bases. Hispanic influ-ences diluted the Filipino’s indigenous orientalculture, thereby changing his person and later,his society. Much of these changes, unfortu-nately, had given rise to conflicting values.What are Sisa, Pilosopong Tasyo, and DoñaVictorina if not the products of Hispano-oriental cultural cross-breeding? You can seein them the mingling or warring positive ornegative traits, both indigenous and hispanic.

Rizal’s Sisa, Pilosopong Tasyo and DoñaVictorina as symbols of the stagnation anddeterioration of Filipino values will remain inour cultural mainstream until we retool oursociety into something more akin to the purerprecolonial society.

Although Rizal was not formally trained as apsychologist, his portrayal of Filipino behav-ioral paterns and his analysis of their effects ofthe individual and society show that he had afirm grasp of the psychology of the humanmind and the psychology of human nature.

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T

Freedom of ConscienceAn Important Legacy of Dr. Jose Rizal

by Rolando V. de la Rosa, OP

he word conscience has, perhaps,never been as popular as it is today in thePhilippines. In the massmedia, it is almostsynonymous with integrity, honesty, and cred-ibility. Protagonists on both sides of the ongo-ing impeachment trial invoke their conscienceas they testify in court. “My conscience isclean”, both the accuser and the accusedwould say.

There is reason to fear, however, that the wordconscience, even if it is often invoked, hassomehow suffered a depreciation of meaningand value. We live at a time when many wordshave been watered down to the point of mean-inglessness. For instance, hope used to be atheological virtue. Now it is the name of acigarette. Charity is invariably associated withsweepstakes. Redemption is applied to centerswhere one claims a lottery prize. A miracle isanything unusual, like miracle rice andmiracle drug. During weddings, Iused to tell the groom: “Put yourtrust in her”. Not anymore. Trust isnow the name of a contraceptive.When words are devalued, thepower and influence of the realitythey symbolize are also dimin-ished, at least, in our conscious-ness.

What conscience isOur catechism tells us that consci-ence is a judgment of reasonwhereby the human person recog-nizes the moral quality of anaction that he will per-form, that he isperforming, orhas already

done. If an act is good, conscience motivateshim to do it, affirms him while he does it, andgives him the feeling of satisfaction or achieve-ment after he has done it. If an act is bad,conscience warns him to avoid it; disturbs himwhile he is doing it; and gives him the feeling ofguilt after he has done it.

Conscience gives rise to a sense of responsi-bility. But it is possible to mute its voice, or wemay refuse to listen to it. As John HenryNewman wrote: “Conscience has rights be-cause it has duties. But in this age, consciencehas been superseded by a counterfeit: the rightof self-will”.

Newman’s words remind us that we oftenunderestimate our capacity to deceive our-selves. We tend to equate what we want withthe urgings of conscience. This tendency is

somehow worsened by the media’s reli-ance on surveys as the sole standard

of right and wrong and modernpsychology’s absolutization ofchoice.

Surveys condition our minds intobelieving that number determineswhat is good and bad. All youhave to do when you break a law

or commit a sin is to look atthe statistics to know howmany are doing what youare doing. Kidnapers lookfor other kidnapers,

thieves for otherthieves. Per-verts unite withother pervertsto create the

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illusion of strength, and because of theiroverwhelming number, they make peoplebelieve that it is the normal people who areabnormal.

Psychologists, on the other hand, want us tobelieve that a sin or a crime is a mere mistakeor deviancy owing to wrong choices occasionedby external forces. This somehow shifts respon-sibility from personal human decision to otherexigencies. As a result, although there is adeafening clamor for respect for individualchoice, very few would like to take personal andcollective accountability when such a choiceproves to be wrong.

Conscience needs to be educatedA well-formed conscience tells us that right isright even if nobody is right; wrong is wrongeven if everybody is wrong. But before con-science can speak, it must have been informedby a moral conviction arising from our naturalcapacity to know right from wrong, or frominstruction by competent moral authority. Theproper education of conscience is therefore amust. When moral education is lacking, it isnaïve to assume that when faced with twooptions, one requiring sacrifice, and the othercoinciding with his personal inclinations, aperson will decide objectively. Only a personwith a mature conscience can decide in difficultsituations with integrity. But the proper forma-tion of conscience does not happen in avacuum. It develops through our experience,through our reading of the signs of the times,by our prudent application of self-evident moralprinciples, the teachings of competent authori-ties, and God’s inspiration.

As evident in his writings, Rizal did not swalloweverything that the philosophes’ taught. Hesifted through their ideas, appropriating thosewhich he considered valid, and discardingthose which he found outrageous or unreason-able. It is unfortunate that his Spanish criticsviewed his link with the philosophes from theirpeculiar idea of Catholic apologetics whichseemed to be premised on the paranoid fear ofthe autonomy of reason, the dangers posed bythe rejection of Church’s authority, and thedamage caused by human pride. They failed tosee in Rizal a human being sincerely searchingfor ways to affirm the dialectical unity of faithand reason, grace and free will, man’s misery

and God’s mercy.

Also, his Spanish critics still valued the post-Reformation belief in cuius regio, eius religiowhich made it incumbent on the Church toinsure religious unity within its territorial jurisdic-tion by promoting Catholic doctrine and disci-pline, eradicating all errors, and persecuting itsproponents. This belief tended to identify God’ssalvific work with the visible Catholic Church.Rizal rightly saw (even before Vatican II ex-pressed it in no uncertain terms) that God’sgrace extends beyond the visible manifesta-tions of the Church. He had to see it that way,because the Catholic Church that he grew upwith did not seem to measure up with hisconscientious search for truth.

If ever Rizal emphasized freedom of con-science, it was because he was impelled by hisintellectual honesty to look beyond what thevisible Catholic Church could offer him as waysto truth and salvation. Freedom of conscienceis not the license to believe what one wants tobelieve. For Rizal, it is the deep conviction thatboth faith and reason are at the service of ahigher value, which is truth. In one of his lettersto Pastells, he wrote: “I believe that I am in thehands of God, that everything that I have andeverything that happens to me is his holy will.Someone would say it is the devil’s will, but I donot think so, for it has been my custom since Iwas a child to ask that his will be done. So I amcontent and resigned”. What better words todescribe the journey which Rizal took in searchfor truth? For him, the object of his quest wasnot an idea. For Rizal, truth is a Person whosewill he always tried to discern and obey.

Freedom of ConscienceOne controversial issue related to Rizal’scharacter and conviction is his idea of freedomof conscience. It is often said that Rizal invokedthis freedom to justify his break with the Catho-lic Church. Simply put, he seemed to have said:“I would rather follow my conscience, ratherthan the teachings of the Catholic Church”.

We have to recognize the fact that, if ever Rizalquestioned and even parodied many Catholicbeliefs and doctrines, this was in connectionwith his political and reformist pursuits. Whenhe embarked on the socio-political and culturaltransformation of the Filipino people, he found

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what he believed was a solid ideological basisin the ideas of the 19th century philosophes. AsFr. Raul Bonoan, S.J. aptly puts it: “Rizal’sincursions into religious questions were im-pelled by his preoccupation with the dignity ofthe individual, the progress and redemption ofhis people, the need to foster the sentimientonacional or the sense of nationhood, the taskof forming the whole archipelago into a com-pact body, vigorous and homogeneous”.

In other words, the philosophes’ ideas gave himsufficient intellectual basis for his fight forreforms and his own personal search for truth.Here we see a sublime feature of Rizal’s char-acter: his intellectual honesty. He knew thatreformist sentiments, without any firm rationalbasis, would simply melt into sentimentality. Hetherefore studied and analyzed thephilosophes’ ideas, not in a manner by whichpoliticians or ideologues shop for ideas tojustify their crackpot policies, but in a mannerbefitting a philosopher: a lover of truth. Rizalfirmly believed that fidelity to truth gives aperson a certain invincibility. This made himfearless in fighting for his convictions.

In his letter to his mother, he somehow affirmswhat many theologians always taught, namely,reason and faith need not be seen as contra-dictory: “What I believe now, I believe throughreason because my conscience can admit onlywhat is compatible with the principles of thought. . . For me, religion is most sacred, most pure,most sublime, which shuns all human adultera-tions; and I believe that I would fail in my dutyas a rational being were I to prostitute myreason and accept an absurdity. I believe thatGod would not punish me if in approaching him,I were to use his most precious gift of reasonand intelligence. I believe that the best way forme to honor him is to present myself before himmaking use of the best things that he has givenme . . .”

Rizal’s idea of conscienceIt is unfortunate that Rizal’s character and beliefhave often been judged in terms of how theSpaniards and nationalists looked at him. Hisperson, convictions, and even his heroism,appear to have been presented to modernFilipinos in terms of such conflicting views. Our

idea of Rizal and his work is either based onwhat the Spaniards wished to correct or de-stroy, or what nationalists think are Rizal’spatriotic sentiments or views. The result is, ourknowledge of Rizal is often a caricature: eitherhe is a free thinker and a stubborn proponentof the absolute autonomy of reason, or a firmbeliever who never wavered in his faith.

Like other heroes, Rizal does not possess aone-dimensional character. Besides, it is amistake to look at heroes in this way. They arenot flawless characters. A hero is a product ofhis circumstances, the challenges he faced, theprinciples and convictions that molded hisunique response to such challenges. A herodoes not cease to be a hero simply because heis not the saint we want him to be. He is acreature of time, of piece-meal intellectual andemotional progression.

Dr. Jose Rizal believed that God himselfequipped each person with the “lamp” ofintelligence as his moral guide. The personmay have recourse to the opinion or judgmentof others, to extrinsic authority, but, in the end,the decision rests on judgment made in thelight of one’s own God-given conscience. “It isup to my conscience afterwards to decidewhether to follow it or not, for in this matter,one has to bear the responsibility for his ownactions”.

For Dr. Rizal, conscience is consequent to hisbelief in God. He wrote in one of his letters:“How can I doubt God’s existence when I am soconvinced of my own? Whoever recognizes theeffect recognizes the cause. To doubt God’sexistence would be to doubt one’s own con-science and consequently everything else. Butthen, would life have any meaning at all?”

This remark is significant, considering whatmany historians often call as Rizal’s “wreckageof faith”. If we sift through what is often labeledas Rizal’s rationalist rhetoric, we see elementsthat are unmistakably Catholic: the primacy ofconscience, firm belief in God, boundless trustin divine providence, the profound experienceof God as loving father, sense of mission,strength of conviction, daily recourse to prayer,and an openness to dialogue.

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ConclusionWhile Rizal might have reflected theEnlightenment’s boundless confidence inreason, it was not to be seen as detrimental todevelopment of his mature faith in God. In fact,with his firm belief that the truth of reasoncannot contradict the truth of faith, he gave usa model of a man who lives according to hisconscience. It is often said that a just man is alaw unto himself. Or, as St. Augustine puts it:“Love and do what you will”. A well-informedconscience, like that of Dr. Jose Rizal, seesthat the divine and moral law have one com-mon element: respect, or better yet, reverence.Justice and love, the basic virtues that regulatehuman relationship and society, are basicallyfounded on respect. While justice demandsthat we respect the other as other, love re-quires that we respect the other as one like us.Justice makes us aware of the necessarydistance which we must not trespass lest weviolate the rights of others; love or charityallows us to see such distance, far from beingalienating, as creating the space which makespossible human communication and friendship.

It is ironic that the very people who wanted tomake Rizal “listen to his conscience” seemedto be the very ones who deprived him therespect he deserved. As Fr. Bonoan writes:“Distracted by Rizal’s unorthodox remarks,(Fr. Pablo) Pastells (S.J.) was blind to the basiccatholicity of Rizal’s view on conscience andpaid, at most, scant attention to Rizal’s owntestimonies of admirable inner disposition,fidelity to conscience, and honest desire to dowhat was right in God’s eyes”. He adds: “In lieuof Pastells’ society where repression was therule, the Church today urges the usages offreedom, which ‘require that the freedom ofman be respected as far as possible andcurtailed only when and insofar as necessary’”.

In fairness to Pastells and those who share hisposition, we can say that just as Rizal’sthoughts on conscience cannot be divorcedfrom his reformist’s stance, the unrelentingdesire of Pastells to “convert” Rizal is insepa-rable from his pro-Spanish bias. As Fr. Bonoanhimself admits: “Their strong belief, shared bythe rest of the Spanish clergy was that the

good of the Philippine colony would best beserved by the indefinite prolongation of Span-ish rule in an alliance of throne and altar. Forall his kindness and pastoral concern, Pastellscould not appreciate the politics of this Jesuitalumnus, who was now struggling to lay thefoundations of the emergent nation. The failureof Pastells’ apologetics must be blamed,ultimately, on the closedness of Pastells, theJesuits, and in fact the Church, to the legitimateaspiration of Rizal and his people”.

Viewed in the light of Rizal’s idea of freedom ofconscience and his unrelenting struggle todefend this, his retraction could perhaps bebest understood the way Nick Joaquin did whenhe writes: “It seems clear now that he didretract, that he went to confession, heard mass,received communion, and was married toJosephine, on the eve of his death - but ourminds resist the picture of so principled a manas Rizal renouncing the liberal and libertarianideas by which he lived. The fact is: he did notrenounce them, and he did not have to re-nounce them, to make a retraction. . . . Inshort, a retraction in no way demanded asurrender of the intellect, only a renewal of theheart”.

In our age of compromise, dishonesty, anddeterioration of our moral and religious values,contemporary Filipinos, especially governmentleaders, would do well to learn from Rizal’ssublime example of intellectual honesty andfreedom of conscience.

Suggested ReadingsBonoan, Raul, S.J., The Rizal-Pastells Correspon-dence, Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1994.

Joaquin, Nick, Rizal in Saga, Philippine NationalCentennial Commission, 1996.

Villaroel, Fidel, O.P., Jose Rizal and the Universityof Santo Tomas, UST Press, 1984.

Rizal, Jose, One Hundred Letters of Jose Rizal tohis Parents, Brother, Sisters, and Relatives,Philippine National Historical Society, 1959.

Kalaw, Teodoro, Epistolario Rizalino, 5 vols. Bureauof Printing, 1930-1938.

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36 104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

MalacañangManila

By the President of the Philippines

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 138

RECONSTITUTING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE RIZAL DAY NATIONAL COMMITTEE IN CONNECTION WITHTHE OBSERVANCE OF THE 104th ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF DR. JOSE P. RIZALON DECEMBER 30, 2000

I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powersvested in me by law, do hereby reconstitute the membership of the Rizal Day National Committee in connec-tion with the observance of the 104th death anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal on December 30, 2000, as follows:

The Chairman, National Commission for Culture and the Arts - ChairmanThe Secretary, Department of Education, Culture and Sports - Co-ChairmanThe Supreme Commander, Knights of Rizal - Co-ChairmanThe Chairman & Executive Director, National Historical Institute - Vice-ChairmanThe Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government - MemberThe Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways - MemberThe Secretary, Department of National Defense - MemberThe Secretary, Department of Tourism - MemberThe Secretary, Department of Budget and Management - MemberThe Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs - MemberThe Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines - MemberThe Director-General, Philippine National Police - MemberThe Secretary, Office of the Press Secretary - MemberThe Chief, Presidential Protocol Office - MemberThe Head, Presidential Management Staff - MemberThe Chairman, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority - MemberThe Executive Director, National Parks Development Committee - MemberThe Mayor, City of Manila - MemberThe Mayor, Municipality of Calamba, Laguna - MemberThe Mayor, City of Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte - MemberThe President, Kababaihang Rizalista - Member

To fittingly commemorate and properly disseminate nationwide the 104th anniversary of the death ofDr. Jose P. Rizal, I do hereby authorize the Department of Budget and Management to release the amount ofTHREE MILLION PESOS (3,000,000.00) from the President’s Contingent Fund to defray expenses for the year2000 activities commemorating the martyrdom of Dr. Rizal.

This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila this 4th day of October in the year of our Lord, two thousand.

By the President:

Ronaldo B. ZamoraExecutive Secretary

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104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal 37

In commemoration of the 104th Anniversary of theMartyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

“Rizal: Tanglaw-Gabay ng Bayan”December 30, 2000, Rizal National Monument

Rizal Park, Manila

Schedule of Activities

5:00 a.m. Assembly, Order of the Knights of RizalFort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila

5:30 a.m. Millennium Walk to retrace the last footsteps of Dr. Jose Rizalfrom Fort Santiago to LunetaOrder of the Knights of Rizal

6:30 a.m. Assembly, Guests and the General PublicRizal National Monument, Rizal Park, Manila

6:55 a.m. Arrival Honors for His Excellency Joseph Ejercito EstradaPresident, Republic of the Philippines

7:00 a.m. Flag-Raising and Wreath-Laying Ceremonies

Led by:His Excellency JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA

President, Republic of the Philippinesand

First Lady DR. LUISA P. EJERCITO ESTRADA

Assisted by:Honorable GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

Vice-President, Republic of the Philippines

Honorable AQUILINO Q. PIMENTEL JR.President, Senate of the Philippines

Honorable ARNULFO P. FUENTEBELLASpeaker, House of Representatives

Honorable HILARIO G. DAVIDE JR.Chief Justice, Supreme Court of the Philippines

Honorable JAIME C. LAYAChairman, National Commission for Culture and the Artsand 2000 Rizal Day National Committee

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38 104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

Honorable ANDREW B. GONZALEZ, FSCSecretary, Department of Education, Culture and SportsCo-Chairman, 2000 Rizal Day National Committee

Honorable ROGELIO M. QUIAMBAOSupreme Commander, Order of the Knights of RizalCo-Chairman, 2000 Rizal Day National Committee

Honorable PABLO S. TRILLANA IIIChairman, National Historical InstituteVice-Chairman, 2000 Rizal Day National Committee

General ANGELO T. REYESChief of Staff, Armed Forces of the PhilippinesMember, 2000 Rizal Day National Committee

Honorable GEMMA CRUZ-ARANETASecretary, Department of TourismMember, 2000 Rizal Day National Committee

Honorable JEJOMAR C. BINAYChairman, Metropolitan Manila Development AuthorityMember, 2000 Rizal Day National Committee

Honorable JOSE L. ATIENZA JR.Mayor, City of ManilaMember, 2000 Rizal Day National Committee

Honorable ANTONIO S. MERCADODirector, National Parks Development CommitteeMember, 2000 Rizal Day National Committee

Members of the 2000 Rizal Day National Committee

Departure HonorsTraditional Rizal Day Breakfast (by invitation)

7:20 a.m. Other Floral Offerings

Other Rizal Day Activities

December 19, 2000 Metro Manila Singing Competition

December 29, 2000

6:00 p.m. “Para sa Mahal na Bayan”Rizal Day Eve ConcertLagoon Area, Rizal Park, Manila

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104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal 39

December 30, 2000

7:00 a.m. Rizal Day Annual LectureVenue: Rizal Shrine, Calamba, LagunaSpeaker: Dr. Maria Luisa T. Camagay

University of the Philippines - Diliman

Rizal Day Annual LectureVenue: Rizal Shrine, Dapitan City,

Zamboanga del NorteSpeaker: Dr. Luis C. Dery

De La Salle University - Manila

Patriotic Tour• Rizal Shrine, Fort Santiago, Manila• Rizal Shrine, Calamba• National Museum

4:00 p.m. Rizal Day Annual LectureVenue: Rizal Shrine, Fort Santiago, Intramuros, ManilaSpeaker: Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa

Prior, St. Thomas Aquinas PrioryFormer Rector, University of Santo Tomas

Opening of Exhibit on “Hats and History”Baluarte de Sta. Barbara, Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila

6:00 p.m. “The Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal: A Light and Sound Presentation”Light & Sound Tableau, Rizal Park, Manila

7:00 p.m. “Kanser” (Noli Me Tangere)A production of Gantimpala Theatre FoundationOpen Air Auditorium, Rizal Park, Manila

Sponsor: 2000 Rizal Day National Committee

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40 104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

Guests are requested to be at theRizal National Monument,Rizal Park, Manila by 6:30 a.m.

WithHis Excellency Joseph Ejercito Estrada

President, Republic of the Philippinesas Guest of Honor

The 2000 Rizal Day National Committee

requests the honor of your presence at the

Flag Raising and Wreath-Laying Rites

in commemoration of the104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

National Hero of the Philippines

Saturday, 30 December 2000, 7:00 a.m.Rizal National Monument, Rizal Park, Manila

RSVP: 525-8661/523-9043 (National Historical Institute) Attire: National or Formal

WithRev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P.Prior, St. Thomas Aquinas Priory

andFormer Rector, University of Santo Tomas

As Guest of Honor and Speaker

The National Historical Instituterequests the honor of your presence

at the

RIZAL DAY ANNUAL LECTURE

in commemoration of the104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

National Hero of the Philippines

Saturday - 30 December 2000 - 4:00 p.m.Rizal Shrine, Fort Santiago

Intramuros, Manila

RSVP: 525-8661/523-9043 (NHI) Attire: National Dress or as appropriate

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104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal 41

General Program of Activities

December 29, 2000

4:20 p.m. - ETA of the Guest Lecturer (Dipolog Airport)

4:30 p.m. - Departure from Dipolog Airport of the GuestLecturer and Welcoming Party for Dapitan

4:45 p.m. - ETA at the Dapitan City Resort Hotel

7:30 p.m. - Regular Meeting and Fraternas Dinner of theDapitan Knights of Rizal

December 30, 2000

5:00 a.m. - “DAYA-NA” by the Executive Band

6:00 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist at the St. James Church,to be heard by all government officials andemployees, both national and local

Order of the Knights of RizalDapitan City Chapter

National Historical Institute

City of Government of Dapitan

and the

Kababaihang Rizalista - Dapitan

cordially invite you to the

COMMEMORATIVE PROGRAMon the occasion of the

104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom ofDR. JOSE P. RIZAL

Philippine National Hero

with

Dr. Luis C. DeryGuest Lecturer

Saturday, 30 December 2000, 7:30 a.m.Rizal Shrine, Dapitan City

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42 104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

Commemorative ProgramSaturday, December 30, 20007:30 a.m., City Plaza, Dapitan

Invocation - Monsignor Wilson P. Cadano, V.F.Parish Priest, St. James Apostles Parish

The Philippine National Anthem - The Executive BandDapitan Hymn Mr. Carlito I.Oledan

Leading with the Dapitan Executive Band

Welcome Remarks - Atty. Joseph Cederick O. RuizMayor, Dapitan City

Contribution Number - Jose Rizal Memorial Institute

Introduction of the Guest Lecturer - Sir Gabriel M. Cad, KCRCurator, NHI Rizal Shrine - DapitanCommander, Dapitan Knights of Rizal

Lecture“The Relevance of Dr. Jose P. Rizal:Beyond A.D. 2000” - Dr. Luis C. Dery

De La Salle University - Manila

Contribution Number - Jose Rizal Memorial State College

Closing Remarks andAcknowledgement - Sir Manuel P. Abad, KCR

Deputy CommanderDapitan Knights of Rizal

Floral offering

Sir Nemesio L. Ecubanas, KCRMaster of Ceremonies

7:03 a.m. - Volley of Fire by the Dapitan PNP

7:30 a.m. - Commemorative Program

10:00 a.m. - Pilgrimage to the Rizal Shrine - Dapitan

4:30 p.m. - Departure of the Guest Lecturer and Send OffParty for the Dipolog Airport

5:00 p.m. - ETD of the Guest Lecturer for Manila

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104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal 43

In Commemoration of the 104th Anniversaryof the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

the

National Historical Institute

requests the honor of your presence

at the

Rizal Day Annual Lecture

to be delivered by

Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P.Prior, St. Thomas Aquinas Priory and

Former Rector, University of Santo Tomas

Saturday, 30 December 2000, 4:00 p.m.Rizal Shrine, Fort Santiago

Intramuros, Manila

P R O G R A M M E

Part I4:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Baluarte de Sta. BarbaraFort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila

Opening of Exhibit“Hats and History”

by

Dr. Pablo S. Trillana IIIChairman and Executive Director

National Historical Institute

and

Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P.Prior, St. Thomas Aquinas Priory and

Former Rector, University of Santo Tomas

Awarding of PrizesBonifacio Art Competition for Fine Arts Students

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44 104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

Part II4:35 - 5:00 p.m.

Rizal Shrine, Fort SantiagoIntramuros, Manila

Invocation - Monsignor Hernando M. CoronelRector, Manila Cathedral

National Anthem - Banda ng Maynila

Welcome Remarks - Dr. Pablo S. Trillana IIIChairman and Executive DirectorNational Historical Institute

Intermission Number - Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School QuartetFirst Prize WinnerNHI Paligsahan sa Makabayang Pag-awit 2000

Introduction of theGuest of Honor and Speaker - Dr. Noemi A. Medina

Chair, Department of Social SciencesPhilippine Normal University

Lecture“Freedom of Conscience:Rizal’s Legacy” - Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Roza, O.P.

Prior, St. Thomas Aquinas Priory andFormer Rector, University of Santo Tomas

Intermission Number - MMDA ChoraleFirst Prize WinnerMMDA Singing Contest 2000

Recessional - Banda ng Maynila

Master of CeremoniesDr. Regino P. Paular

Chief, Historical Education DivisionNational Historical Institute

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104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal 45

NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE

Board Members

Dr. Pablo S. Trillana IIIChairman

Emelita V. AlmosaraDeputy Executive Director

Division Chiefs

Julieta M. Dizon AdministrativeDr. Regino P. Paular Historical EducationReynaldo A. Inovero Historic Preservation

Veronica A. Dado Monuments & HeraldryProf. Augusto V. de Viana Research and Publications

Dir. Adoracion B. MendozaDr. Serafin D. Quiason

Prof. Ambeth R. OcampoFr. Gabriel S. Casal

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46 104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

Ang2000 Rizal Day National Committee

Pambansang Suriang PangkasaysayanOrder of the Knights of Rizal, Calamba Chapter

at angBayan ng Calamba

ay nag-aanyaya sa inyong pagdalosa paggunita ng 104 na taong kabayanihan ni

DR. JOSE RIZALPambansang Bayani

sa Sabado, ika 30 ng Disyembre 2000sa ganap na ikapito ng umaga saPambansang Dambana ni Rizal

Calamba, Laguna

——————————————————————(Paanyaya)

PalatuntunanOras ng Pagtitipon: 6:00 – 6:30 n.u.

Unang Bahagi – ika-7:00 n.u.Patyo ng Pamahalaang Bayan

Paghihip ng Sirena - Kagawaran ng Pamatay-SunogSangay ng Calamba

Pagtataas ng Watawat - Kagawaran ng PulisyaCalamba Police Station

Panalangin - SPO1 Juliet Magpantay

Pambansang Awit - SPO3 Monina Castillo

Panunumpa sa Watawat - SPO3 Hilda Magtagad

Pag-aalay ng bulaklak sa mga Bantayogat Dambana ni Gat Jose Rizal

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104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal 47

Ikalawang Bahagi ika-8:00 n.u.Pambansang Dambana ni Gat Jose Rizal

Panalangin - Sir Johnny M. Javier, KORPursuivant, Order of the Knights of Rizal

Pambansang Awit - Calamba West District Choir

Pambungad na Pananalita - Kgg. Severino J. LajaraPunong Bayan, Calamba, Laguna

Mensahe - Kgg. Joaquin M. Chipeco, Jr.Kinatawan, Ikalawang Distrito ng Laguna

Mga Natatanging Bilang - Kapayapaan National High School(Bagong Pinoy), Calamba West District

Mensahe - Kgg. Jose D. Lina, Jr.Puno, Lalawigan ng Laguna

Pagpapakilala saPanauhing Pandangal - Kgg. Dennis R. Lanzanas

Pangalawng Punong Bayan, Calamba, Laguna

Panayam“Si Rizal at ang mga Kapatidna Babae” - Dr. Ma. Luisa T. Camagay

Propesor, Departamento ng KasaysayanUnibersidad ng Pilipinas - Diliman

Paggawad ng Plakesa Panauhing PandangalTutulungan nina - Kgg. Severino J. Lajara

Kgg. Joaquin M. Chipeco, Jr.Kgg. Jose D. Lina, Jr.

Pampasiglang Bilang - Kapayapaan National High School

Bating Pangwakas - Sir Steve T. Castillo, KCRDeputy Chapter CommanderOrder of the Knights of RizalCalamba West District

Guro ng PalatuntunanSir Demetrio L. Hilberio, KGCR

Order of the Knights of Rizal

Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng mga nakiisa at tumulong.

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48 104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

Espesyal na Edisyon

Paco Park Presents

Para Sa Mahal Na Bayan

(Sa paggunita ng ika-104 na anibersaryo ng pagpapakabayani ni Gat Jose Rizal)

Isang espesyal na handog ngNational Parks Development Committeeat ng 2000 Rizal Day National Committee

Tampok sina:Angelica Climaco, mang-aawit

Alona Climaco, mang-aawitLaurence Albert Calderon, piyanista

Louie Kristi, plutistaBoy de Ocampo, bahista

PROGRAMME

Bayan KoIsang Lahi

Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi, Isang MusikaPanunumpa

Kapantay ay LangitIkaw

Ang Tangi kong Pag-ibigDahil sa Iyo

Maalala Mo KayaMagkaisa

Ako’y PilipinoHandog ng Pilipino sa Mundo

Pilipinas kong Mahal

Ikaw, Ako, Tayong Lahat, MagkakapatidAko’y Isang Pinoy

Kay Ganda ng ating Musika/Magandang Gabi/Salamat Musika

Dakilang Lahi

- Isinaayos ni Paolo Tirol

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104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal 49

“Mga bala’y sinagupa, kamatayan ay hinamak

Pilipino’y nagbangon, umasa sa sariling lakas.

Nagkaisa’t nagtulungan, sa labanang malaganap;

Luzon, Bisaya’t Mindanao, naging isang Pilipinas.

Kaya naman, Pilipino taas noo mong pagmasdan

Ang bandila ng lahi mo, dugo’t buhay binuwisan.

Kabataan, itaas mo dalawang kamay at kamao

Buong lakas na isigaw, “Magiting ka, Pilipino!”

Kilos na kabataan, magandang bukas likhain mo!

Puhunan mo’y kalayaan, bayani ang tagapayo.

Sa angking talino mo’y tagumpay tiyak matatamo

Ikarangal mo Pilipino, Magiting ang lahi mo!”

Mula sa “Ikarangal mo, Pilipino. . .

Magiting ang Lahi mo!”

- Serge Custodio at Archie Organo

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50 104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

Programa 1004, Biyernes, Disyembre 29, 2000, 6:00 n.g.Central Lagoon, sa likod ng Monumento,

Rizal Park, Maynila

Paco Park Presentsay ipinalalabas

tuwing Martes 11:00 n.g. - 12:00 m.a. sa PTV-4

Susunod sa Paco Park Presents

January 5 - “Schumann’s Best”Nenen Espina, sopranoNajib Ismail, pianoEugene de los Santos, tenor

Paco Park Presents

Isang paglilingkod bayan ng

National Parks Development Committee

2000 Rizal Day National Committee

National Historical Institute

People’s Television Network (PTV-4)

Philippine Tourism Authority

Antonio S. MercadoPunong Tagapamahala

Minette PadillaTaga-ulat

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104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal 51

(Counterclockwise) NHI Chairmanand Executive Director Dr. Pablo S.Trillana III gives the welcomeremarks; Dr. Trillana presents NHIpublications to Rev. Rolando V. de laRosa, OP, with PHA ExecutiveDirector Gloria M. Santos lookingon; the Ramon Magsaysay-CubaoHigh School Quartet delivers apatriotic song; and the MMDAChorale, first prize winner in the2000 MMDA singing competitiongives a lilting rendition.

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52 104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

NCCA Chairman Jaime C.Laya and Dr. Trillana

welcome Senator BlasOple during the traditional

breakfast at theManila Hotel.

Guests include SenatePresident Aquilino

Pimentel Jr. (above);Ms. Yulo, a descendant

of Rizal, AFP Chief ofStaff Angelo Reyes, and

Senator Blas Ople(right).

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104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal 53

Mayor Lito Atienza of Manila andGen. Benjamin Defensor grace theoccasion (above).

Foreign dignitaries(above and below) are

welcomed by NHIemployees and by

Dr. Trillana.

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54 104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

NCCA Chairman Jaime C. Layadiscusses an important point with

Education Secretary AndrewGonzales.

NHI ushers andusherettes givetheir all forposterity.

Guests also includedmembers of thediplomatic corps.

Visitors view the differentkinds of hats that had

evolved through the years.

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104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal 55

Dr. Jaime Laya (second from right) shares the table with (L to R) Lulay de Vera, RosarioVillar, Fe Hidalgo, Betty Lou Peñera, Emelita Almosara, and Protocol Office UndersecretaryDaniel Victoria.

Tourism SecretaryGemma CruzAraneta flanked bymembers of theNHI (above).

Members of the Philippine Historical Association (L to R) Dean GloriaSantos, Dr. Estrellita Muhi, Juanito Fernandez, Prof. Evelyn Songco,Prof. Flaviano Maso, and Prof. Jun delos Reyes.

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56 104th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta,Dr. Pablo S. Trillana III, and Knights of RizalSupreme Commander Rogelio Quiambaowait for the arrival of President JosephEjercito Estrada.

Main activitiesinclude flag-raisingand wreath-layingceremonies at theRizal monument withPresident JosephEjercito Estrada asmain guest.

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2000 Rizal Day National CommitteePhilippine Information Agency