President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday encouraged the public to reflect on the legacy of Jose Rizal and emulate his patriotism on the national hero’s 122nd death anniversary.
“Today marks an auspicious occasion to reflect on the legacy of our national hero. Rizal’s courageous life and inspiring works have been instrumental in awakening our collective consciousness to foster our Filipino identity and take a stand against our oppressors,” Duterte said in a statement.
The Chief Executive said he views Rizal as “a beacon of valor and solidarity” during a time of darkness, injustice, and tyranny.
“Even in death, his example continues to encourage us as we pursue ways to address the social ills that confront us up to this day,” he said.
“Let this be an opportunity to honor Rizal for shaping our history as a nation. Together, let us embody his patriotism in all our endeavors as we build the society that he envisioned for the Filipino people,” the President added.
Malacañang also echoed Duterte’s message, stressing that the youth should emulate Rizal’s life story and principles that made him the “country’s greatest hero.”
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said that in these challenging and crucial times, the country needs “equally courageous and principled Filipinos” to become modern-day heroes and fight all the ills of society.
“Jose Rizal’s martyrdom should propel us to rise to the challenge of the times and unchain ourselves from our stupor of indifference and race to the finish line of genuine change and prosperity,” he added.
Rizal, a celebrated Filipino author, doctor, and patriot, was executed by firing squad before the break of dawn in Luneta on Dec. 30, 1896, after a kangaroo court convicted him on all three charges of rebellion, sedition, and conspiracy.
Rizal’s place of death, Luneta, has been even turned into a people’s park to mark his patriotism and heroism.
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Luneta Park in Manila.
“In these times when ruthless practicality is foisted on us as virtue, and when respect for individual dignity is maligned as weakness, Rizal stands as a reminder that true freedom goes hand in hand with kindness and integrity,” she said.
Also on Sunday, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara urged Filipinos to follow Rizal’s teachings on education and human dignity as the country continues to struggle against poverty and ignorance.
More than 120 years since Rizal was executed in Bagumbayan, Angara said unifying the country remains an uphill battle because many Filipinos still experience extreme poverty and suffer from lack of education.
Angara said that Filipinos of today should “give flesh” to the right to life and dignity, which Rizal and other national heroes fought for more than a century ago. With Macon Ramos-Araneta
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