RIZAL
[PHOTO AT LEFT - DR. JOSE PROTACIO
RIZAL: THE GREATEST FILIPINO WHO EVER LIVED- LINGUIST, NOVELIST, POET,
PHYSICIAN, SCIENTIST IS THE HERO OF THE PHILIPPINES. PHOTO
& CAPTION FROM THE CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE.]
MANILA, JUNE 21, 2011 (STAR) CITIZEN
Y By Yoly Villanueva-Ong - It's the 150th birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal. Reformist,
scientist, linguist, author, artist, he is every inch the authentic HERO, a
polymath to rival the Renaissance man.
There are historians who note with some disparagement, that it was the
Americans who proclaimed him our National Hero. They opine that the
revolutionary Andres Bonifacio deserved that honor more than the pacifist Rizal.
But what does it matter? Bonifacio admired Rizal, awed by his intelligence and
talent.
The story of Rizal is fascinating. His genius, loves and politics show a
brilliant but human hero, who tried in vain to change a fate he could see
coming.
[Photo - A photographic record of Rizal's execution in what was then
Bagumbayan, today (Luneta) Rizal Park]
Perhaps the first world-class Global Filipino, Rizal was known and admired
from Djakarta to Heidelberg. His writings reportedly inspired Mahatma Gandhi and
Martin Luther King in leading their own movements.
George Patton once said, "Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won
by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the man who leads that
gains the victory". It's true. The revolution was "won" the day Rizal was killed
in Bagumbayan Field, on December 30, 1896 at 7:03 a.m.
His execution remains vivid. Arms tied behind elbow to elbow, Rizal held a
rosary on his right hand until his final
breath. The
physician, Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo, was amazed that his vital signs and pulse
rate were normal — no fear of death. Rizal wanted to be shot facing the firing
squad, but the captain refused. On the command "Fire!" the guns flared. Rizal
twisted his body around and fell on the ground looking at the blue sky, his head
slightly tilted toward the rising sun.
Many believed his death was an injustice as he was against revolution.
Certainly when he founded La Liga Filipina, he still hoped that reform could be
attained peacefully. He even advocated the annexing of the Philippines as a
province of Spain. Although he was never involved with the Katipunan, its
members saw him as their leader. In fact his name was the password for their
highest-ranking members "bayani". As the oppression became more severe Rizal
begun to wonder if a bloody revolution was the answer.
[Photo - June 19, Jose Rizal's birthday, May 10, Andres Bonifacio's
death;2010 Coincidences w/ National Heroes' Significant Dates]
In June 1896, Bonifacio sent Dr. Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan for consultation.
Rizal felt that the time was not right. The people were not ready and they did
not have enough weapons. He suggested that the Katipunan first seek financial
support from wealthy and influential Filipinos. He also recommended Antonio Luna
to be commander of the forces for his military knowledge and expertise.
Valenzuela recounted what Rizal said —
"A revolution without arms should never be started against an armed nation.
Its consequences will be fatal and disastrous to the country. The Filipinos will
necessarily have to lose owing to lack of arms.
The Spaniards, once conquerors, will annihilate the Filipinos who show love
'for their country, employ all obstacles to prevent the intellectual, moral, and
material progress of the conquered people, who sooner or later will have to
start another revolution . . . When I was in Japan, a Japanese Minister put at
my disposal three merchant ships with which to transport arms to the
Philippines. I wrote to a rich Filipino in Manila, asking him to lend me
P200,000 for the purpose of buying firearms and munitions, but the rich Filipino
refused me the loan."
[Photos - A group of Katipuneros in 1896]
The Katipuneros planned Rizal's escape from exile aboard a ship destined to
Japan, but he declined. Valenzuela returned to Manila and relayed Rizal's advice
to Bonifacio, who agreed that it would be fatal to fight without enough weapons.
But rumors about the secret organization were rife. On August 19, 1896, Teodoro
Patiño told his sister about the existence of KKK, who shared the revelation
with the Mother Superior. The cry of Pugadlawin could wait no longer.
A week after the outbreak of the revolution, on September 2, 1896, Rizal got
approval from Governor General Ramon Blanco to become a military doctor in Cuba.
He was to sail to Spain first. During the stopover in Manila Bay, Andres
Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and a few others disguised as sailors infiltrated
Castilla. Jacinto whispered that they were there to rescue him. Once again,
Rizal refused. Before he reached Spain, he was arrested, jailed in Barcelona
then shipped back to Fort Santiago.
Rizal must have had an inkling of his destiny. As early as April 18, 1889 in
Paris, he wrote Mariano Ponce, "The day on which you would see me in the
clutches of the friars, do not waste time making petitions or uttering
complaints or lamentations — it is useless. Try to put another in my place who
may avenge me and make them pay dearly for my misfortune! If I would see a son
of mine in the mouth of a shark, I would not try to pull him out — for it is
useless and all I would achieve is to destroy him — I would kill the shark if
possible, and if not, I would waylay him!"
Perhaps the mark of a true hero is the reluctance to be one. Patton's most
memorable advice about heroism in war was "Don't be a fool and die for your
country. Let the other sonofabitch die for his." Even the Son of God wanted to
be spared from martyrdom. At the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46) Jesus
cried thrice, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me."
No child dreams of becoming a successful hero someday. Early in life he is
taught that happiness is about making money, taking care of your own and living
a life of luxury. Rizal could have done just that. But blissful oblivion to
society's problems does not work in the long run. Like Rizal, we need to realize
that without social justice, there can be no real peace, prosperity or progress.
Hopefully, unlike Rizal, we don't have to become martyrs to do our share.
PHOTOS:
11-yr-old Rizal, as student at Ateneo Municipal de
Manila
Rizal as student at the University of
Santo Tomas
The Luneta (Rizal Park) in
1899
(BAGUMBAYAN)
A renown painting depicting how Rizal was
sentenced to death by the Spanish colonial authorities.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
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