Ako ay papanaw ng hindi makikita ang bukang liwayway sa aking bayan. - Elias Plaza Rizal in Pasig City holds many memories for me. I remember my grandfather taking me on weekends to Plaza Rizal and the nearby Plaza Bonifacio. I was made aware who they were. What they represented. I wonder how many grandfathers today teach their grandchildren about the significance of these great men. I also recall that every December 30 of each year, Tatay (my maternal grandfather) would don a barong tagalog, black pants and leather shoes. With medals of the Oder of the Knights of Rizal would join the parade and wreath laying on this same plaza. Tatay was a child of an age where heroes, martyrs and patriots would be honored on days that were reserved for them. They were of an age wherein even their given names reflected the sense of nationalism that pervaded that generation. My grandfather was named Magayos (but lovingly called Maggy by those who were chummy) and his brother named Bayani. I wonder who would name their sons such these days though. Going back, it was from Tatay that I learned firsthand about the Revolution.The contributions of those from Pasig to the cause. That Pasig was one of the centers of nationalism and revolution. They were inspired by Rizal and Bonifacio. That there was nary a controversy about who was more important between the two. The people of Pasig just put up a monument for both heroes. That Bonifacio rode a horse is the only such monument in the whole country to depict it speaks volumes. I know friends whose homes had pictures of Jesus, Rizal and Bonifacio and they would make the sign of the cross before them. Rizal of course was a favorite during elementary school days. Teachers would tell us to emulate Rizal when we were studying. How many times have I seen illustrations of Rizal studying by a lamp. Of the anecdotes wherein he was spanked because he refused to wear seda. Of the 2nd slipper thrown into the river so that a poor farmers son find it and use it. I can never forget the Pagong at Matsing. Of how Rizal cried because he would be studying away from Calamba and miss his solicitous sisters. Little was known about the childhood of Bonifacio and that is the reason why he was not part of inculcation. But the lessons continued. That Rizal was not a nerd, that he fenced and shot pistols. Rizal was known to invoke the Code Duello when honor called upon when slighted. It seems that it was a life designed to bring ideas to those of us in adolescence. That we are allowed to be impetuous as well. That he loved women and loved by them as well. The most important lesson that was untold but was well understood was that he was a man who had the world in front of him. That he could have had everything if only he would go with the flow. He could have just said YOLO and would have lived to a ripe old age. He had all the talents to succeed in any endeavor. But as the narrative went on, he suffered persecution even in his student days. There were those of us who could identify with that. Racial discrimination and at one point was burning his manuscripts to stay warm while subsisting on biscuits in Europe. These were only some of the factors that made him do what he did. In true character and form, he chose to reform the system. But in failing that, even without advocating revolution and armed struggle, his thoughts and experiences planted the seeds for such. His execution was his triumph. Rizal showed that no army can defeat an idea whose time has come. An idea of a Filipino Nation. No wonder the Katipunan had as one of its passwords Rizal. That made Rizal a revolutionary and one among the members of the attacking Katipuneros, because they carried his spirit with them. That is evident that Rizal belonged to the revolution. He knew that there will be those who will carry on the fight. He knew that more than a hundred years, there will still be those who will carry the torch. Let us never forget and always remember Jose Rizal, Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and all those in our pantheon of heroes, martyrs and patriots. Let us work for and watch the coming of the dawn. It is our duty to make the vigil, struggle and fight so that dawn will come to our country. Rizal points to the east! Mabuhay ang Inang Bayan! Itaguyod ang Inang Bayan!
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 01:07:11 +0000
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