SPAIN ERRED IN EXECUTING RIZAL / ATENEO FR. NEBRES NAMED A NATURAL SCIENTIST
MANILA, OCTOBER 26, 2011 (MALAYA) BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR - CLOSE to 115 years after Jose Rizal's execution by musketry, a Spanish official has admitted that Spain made a "historical" mistake in killing the Philippine national hero.
Spanish ambassador Jorge Domecq made the admission yesterday in his speech at the inauguration of the Un Retrato de Espana photo exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum.
"Spain made a historical mistake by executing Rizal for his reformist ideas. Rizal's execution didn't bring peace to the Philippines. Foreign politics and violence done by the state or non-state do not work well together in the achievement of peace," Domecq said.
"That is why in these days of unjustified violence in Mindanao, we commend you, Mr. President, for your stand and commitment to the peace process," he added.
Rizal was executed at the Bagumbayan (photo) (now Luneta Park) on December 30, 1896 for advocating reforms in the Philippines through his writings, especially his novels "Noli Me Tangere" ("Touch Me Not") and El Filibusterismo ("The Filibustering" or "The Reign of Greed").
The Spaniards arrested Rizal after he was implicated in the revolution being waged by the Katipuneros, led by Andres Bonifacio.
President Aquino, in addressing the event, said most Filipinos view Spain only in a snapshot based on what they have learned in their history class.
Aquino said the Philippines and Spain have developed a stronger and enduring friendship over the years. He encouraged Filipinos to see the photo exhibit which he said would give Filipinos a fresh perspective of Spain.
National artist for literature and University of the Philippines Prof. Virgilio Almario agreed that Spain made a mistake in underestimating the effects of Rizal's death.
The Philippines declared its freedom less than two years after Rizal's death and the "Knights of Rizal" are now all over the world.
The photo exhibit, which was organized by Spain to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary Rizal, seeks to recreate from a modern perspective the Spanish phase in the life of Jose Rizal through the works of 15 highly acclaimed contemporary Spanish photographers and from biographical notes and materials on Rizal's stay in Madrid and Barcelona.
Aquino was presented the first copy of the photography book catalog entitled "Foto a Fota Retrato de España (Litrato sa Litrato, Isang Larawan ng España) by Domecq and was given a guided tour of the photo exhibit.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco, Accion Cultural Española president Charo Otegui and Metropolitan Museum vice chairman Cora Avlina joined the President. – With Regina Bengco
FROM PHILSTAR
Nebres named National Scientist By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star) Updated October 26, 2011 12:00 AM
PHOTO - Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ, 71, is the 37th national scientist of the country and one of the 15 awardees living today. He served as president of the Ateneo de Manila University.
MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino conferred the National Scientist award on Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ in ceremonies held at Malacañang yesterday.
The President highlighted Nebres' contributions to education and social reforms.
"May Fr. Nebres serve as an example of integrity, hard work and service to all of us as we continue to dedicate ourselves to the development and improvement of those who need help the most," Aquino said.
"Fr. Nebres has been a consistent advocate of educational reform, a leader who has pushed for the formulation and implementation of a long-term plan to improve our nation's competitiveness in the natural sciences and mathematics," he added.
Nebres has worked tirelessly to find effective ways of improving education in the public school system. His works include the establishment of the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED), an institution dedicated to developing public schools.
ACED assists local governments and over 400 public schools in Quezon City, Parañaque, Valenzuela, Nueva Ecija, La Union and other parts of the country.
Also present during the event were Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, National Academy of Science and Technology president Dr. Emil Javier, NAST secretary Dr. Evelyn Mendoza and other national scientists.
[PHOTO - PRESIDENT'S TEACHER Pres. Aquino greets his former professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S. J., who was conferred the Order of National Scientist Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, at Malacañang's Rizal Ceremonial Hall. (MALACAÑANG Photo)]
PIPELINE LEAK CASE Lawyer Lorna Kapunan accompanies residents of West Tower Condominium and Barangay Bangkal in Makati City in filing criminal negligence charges before the City Prosecutor's Office against 33 officers and directors of First Philippine Industrial Corp. and its affiliate companies for allegedly failing to maintain the oil pipeline that leaked and caused serious threat to their lives last year. (Photo by KJ ROSALES)
CLOGGED RIVER Water hyacinths are seen floating along the Pampanga River near the boundary of Calumpit in Bulacan and Apalit in Pampanga that is considered to be the culprit behind the clogging of the vast river, which caused the flooding of many areas in the two provinces. (Photo by MARK BALMORES)
On Monday, the President handed the Apolinario Mabini Presidential Award to Sister Ma. Paula Valeriana Baerts, a Belgian nun belonging to the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and founder of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, a non-government organization that aims to uplift the lives of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Baerts received the presidential award for her 54 years of serving PWDs.
Other awardees include Lauro Purcil, Special Mabini Presidential Award for PWD Rights-Based Advocacy; Capt. Oscar Taleon, Special Mabini Presidential Award for Leadership in PWD Sector Unification; David Casper Nathan Sergio, Disabled Filipino of the Year, and Access Unlimited/Radyo ng Bayan, Special Award for Producing a Radio Program on PWD Personalities and Issues, among others.
Individuals and groups from the private sector and government were also awarded for their contributions in advancing the welfare of PWDs.
The Apolinario Mabini Awards was launched in 1974 to give recognition to individuals with disabilities, professionals and various groups that had rendered outstanding services to PWDs.
The award was named after the country's hero, Apolinario Mabini, also known as the "sublime paralytic" whose disability did not become a hindrance to his creative genius that provided inspiration to the Philippine revolution.
The event was organized by the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Inc. and Ambassador Cristina Ponce-Enrile, chair of the 2011 Apolinario Mabini Awards Committee.
----------------------------------------------------------
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved
----------------------------------------------------------
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet
This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.
To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/
(c) Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------
