This article discusses how Filipinos commemorate Jose Rizal and questions whether the celebrations have become empty rituals without truly understanding Rizal's teachings. The author argues that while Rizal is seen as a symbol of national pride, few have read his works like Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or understood what he fought for through his writings. For Rizal's legacy to endure, Filipinos must commit to studying his ideas and striving to live according to his teachings of seeking knowledge, questioning authority, and helping fellow citizens. Otherwise, Rizal's works risk becoming obsolete and his vision for the Philippines could die in vain.
This article discusses how Filipinos commemorate Jose Rizal and questions whether the celebrations have become empty rituals without truly understanding Rizal's teachings. The author argues that while Rizal is seen as a symbol of national pride, few have read his works like Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or understood what he fought for through his writings. For Rizal's legacy to endure, Filipinos must commit to studying his ideas and striving to live according to his teachings of seeking knowledge, questioning authority, and helping fellow citizens. Otherwise, Rizal's works risk becoming obsolete and his vision for the Philippines could die in vain.
This article discusses how Filipinos commemorate Jose Rizal and questions whether the celebrations have become empty rituals without truly understanding Rizal's teachings. The author argues that while Rizal is seen as a symbol of national pride, few have read his works like Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or understood what he fought for through his writings. For Rizal's legacy to endure, Filipinos must commit to studying his ideas and striving to live according to his teachings of seeking knowledge, questioning authority, and helping fellow citizens. Otherwise, Rizal's works risk becoming obsolete and his vision for the Philippines could die in vain.
Remembering Has Rizal Day become just a day of ritual
the man wreath-offering?
Does Renato Constantino’s “Veneration
By: Rado Gatchalian - @inquirerdotnet without Understanding” ring true in our case?
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:03 AM June 19, 2019
How many of us have read his novels “Noli
Today’s generation may see Rizal as an idea, a Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”? How symbol, an epitome of national pride, many Filipinos have dissected the meaning of excellence and patriotism. But this idea may his last poem, “Mi Ultimo Adios”? Have we either prosper or die in vain. really understood what he fought for through As we move to a sophisticated, more his works and writings? Some will even argue technologically advanced time, everything that he never “fought,” as he was not a changes. Every teaching is ultimately tested revolutionary man like Bonifacio but a by a criterion known as pragmatism. An idea reformist. can only survive the challenges of time if its Do we really know him? And if we know him, concept can be translated into actions, result- do we follow him? driven and predictable.
Knowing Rizal is different from “doing” Rizal.
So, how about Rizal and his teachings? How Knowledge may blossom, but wisdom is rare. can they prosper and last? How can they influence the fate of our nation? How can we It is time to examine our national ensure that his legacy is remembered? consciousness, particularly how we identify ourselves and our sense of nationhood with As we commemorate and celebrate his this man we profess to admire. birthday every June 19 and his martyrdom every Dec. 30, we need to ask: Have we turned into blind followers or, worse, ignorant followers? Do we celebrate because There is no harm in admiring this hero. But we understand his writings and teachings? Do the challenge is to live as Filipinos according we commemorate because we emulate him? to Rizal’s teachings. Who really is Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal? This is teachings will fade if we will fail to commit to the question every Filipino should seek and study and follow him. understand. How we see him is how we see Rizal’s love for his country was eternal and our country. sublime. Let this legacy remain vibrant in Rizal was rational. A man of intellect and high each Filipino. integrity. A challenge, then, for all of us: Before we pay our respects to him and offer flowers at his He was a seeker of knowledge. Rizal was statue, let us nurture the hunger to seek out prepared to question authority and the and learn from his writings and ideas. Then, Church. let us strive to follow his example, in words and in deeds. Rizal was a reflective man. He translated his ideas into voluminous words and writings. May his ideas become alive in all of us. Let them not die in vain. Rizal was an action man. He was not idle. Wherever he went, he achieved great things. ***
We Filipinos who say we admire him and
Rado Gatchalian is from Dagupan City, take pride as the heirs of his heroism: Do we Pangasinan. He moved to Sydney, Australia, seek knowledge? Do we question authority, in 2006. He is currently the vice president of even that of the Church? Do we love to read the Philippine Community Council of New and write? Do we help our fellow Filipinos South Wales, the peak body of Filipino groups and contribute to our society? in NSW. He writes poetry and regularly contributes to The Philippine Community We need to be truthful to the Rizalian cause. It Herald Newspaper, a Sydney-based is a challenge. It is a must that we read his newspaper. He is an ardent admirer of Rizal works. For how can we know him if we haven’t read any of his writings?
Thus, a pragmatic issue is at hand. Will his Source: https://opinion.inquirer.net/122
works become obsolete? Will the new 060/rizal-101-remembering-the- generation find joy reading his novels amid man#ixzz7ulcht9kf the onslaught of technology? Rizal’s life and