Jose P. Rizal, born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, is one great Filipino who exemplifies the ideal man with a sense of purpose and meaning. With great multitudes of his achievements in life, he serves as a perfect model for a life well-lived, not just for Filipinos but for all nationalities. The Filipino race must be so proud of producing a man like Rizal when the country was oppressed and abused by colonizer Spain.
His life reminds us of how we should live as Filipinos. His death reminds us of how our country was born out of love and sacrifices.
When I gaze at his statues, I look at his eyes and wonder: Is he happy now? Is he happy about what is happening to our country? Does he still believe that the youth is the hope of our motherland? Does he think he died in vain?
I look at my country and fellowmen and see Rizal in every Filipino who was abused and put to death. I see him in every poor people because of corruption from our leaders. I see his eyes in every youth wanting change for our country. I see him in every Filipino who moves to another country looking for a better future and opportunity. I see him in all the anguishes and fears of our people. But, ultimately, I wish to see him in every Filipino who wants to dedicate their life to our country.
Rizal has lived a life worth remembering because he lived not just for himself but others and for our country. And that made him different from the rest of us because he lived and died for this great idea called “love.”
And because of this love, a Filipino was born, a country was born.
Rado Gatchalian,
Sydney, Australia
Rado.Gatchalian@aristocrat.com