Still much to learn about Rizal’s lifework and influence

As with many important realizations in life, my appreciation of the Rizal course I took at the University of Santo Tomas came late. We study Jose Rizal to pay tribute to him as our national hero. He personified patriotism with his self-sacrifice and martyrdom. In schools, his masterpieces the “Noli Me Tangere” and the “El Filibusterismo” are mandatory readings, as it is important for students to know about the oppression our countrymen suffered under the Spaniards during the late 1800s. I think that knowing about the things that happened in our past—whether good or bad— strengthens our patriotism. And (more) patriotic Filipinos are precisely what this country needs to lift it from what has been variously described as its present state of “desolation,” “desperation,” “hopelessness,” “wretchedness,” etc.

Some historians’ interest in Rizal is so great that it has led them to zealously do research work on him, hoping to share with the rest of us whatever fresh insights they may gain about his already extensively chronicled life. Well and good, because if there is a national figure for whom we should have zeal and whose mind we should probe, it is Rizal.

I also find rather effective the role that theater groups play to (re)introduce Rizal to the present generation. In June last year, I watched at the Ilustrado in Intramuros the late Severino Montano’s play “Leonor Rivera,” performed by the Philippine Drama Company and directed by theater luminary Natividad Crame-Rogers. Though it centered on the relationship between Jose and the broken-hearted heroine Leonor, I ended up being intrigued by the supporting character of Paciano Rizal. It was with him Jose pleaded not to be sent off to Europe in light of his love for Leonor. Now I have my own researching to do to find out how much of an influence Paciano was to his prominent younger brother in the context of his being a “filibustero.”

There is much to learn and relearn about the different aspects of Rizal’s life and his influences. So I wish our teachers, historians, researchers, archivists, essayists, playwrights and thespians all the very best as they continue to promote our national hero among Filipinos, young and old. On this note, let me express my wish that Rizal’s succeeding birth anniversaries be consistently celebrated with a lot of dignity, enthusiasm, creativity, splendor and fanfare whether it would be the 151st, 152nd, 153rd and so on. May we love our country more as we learn about Rizal more.

Mabuhay si Jose Rizal! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

—CLAUDE LUCAS C. DESPABILADERAS,

[email protected]