President Rodrigo Duterte led the country’s officialdom in paying tribute to Jose Rizal as the country marked the 125th anniversary of his martyrdom in 21 months of the pandemic that has infected and killed millions in the country.
Duterte urged Filipinos to honor the country’s “modern-day heroes who are at the frontlines” to check the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) as the nation commemorated the death anniversary of Rizal shot by a firing squad of eight Filipinos, watched by another eight Spanish soldiers behind them at 7 a.m. on December 30, 1896, in what is today Luneta fronting Manila Bay.
In his message during the annual commemoration of his heroism, Duterte asked Filipinos to continue to honor Rizal “by exemplifying patriotism and idealism in all our endeavors as well as by fostering a greater sense of nationalism among the Filipino youth.”
Duterte said: “Indeed, true heroes give their lives for love of country and of our people. This heroism has become more manifest when the COVID-19 pandemic swept the whole world,” he said.
He added: “People of unmatched boldness and compassion stood and fought against the odds brought by the disease in order to help save lives, even while risking their own.”
“Today, as we celebrate the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal, let us also honor our modern-day heroes who are at the frontlines. Let us emulate his wisdom and courage in our own simple ways as we pursue a better and brighter future for all,” the 76-year-old Duterte said.
Duterte led a ceremony commemorating the martyrdom of the national hero at the Rizal National Monument in Rizal Park.
This year’s commemoration carries the theme “Rizal: Para sa Agham, Katotohanan at Buhay (Rizal: For Science, Truth, and Life).
This was Duterte’s final opportunity to do so as he will step down from Malacanang after six months.
Meanwhile,Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo – in quarantine after her close-in security tested positive for COVID-19 – urged the Filipino people to live out the “true meaning of being a Filipino.”
In her message, she said: “We are called today to live out the true meaning of being a Filipino, as heralded and written by Rizal: Filipinos who are united, who share in communal responsibility, and who always draw strength from one another; Filipinos who always hold on to hope, because they respond with compassion to the needs of their countrymen.
“May we all be reminded of Elias’s final words in Noli Me Tangere, to always welcome the dawn without ever forgetting those who suffered in the dark of night.”
In related developments, the Department of Science and Technology, as a tribute to the martyrdom of Rizal, unveiled the first and largest 3D-printed monument at its compound in Bicutan, Taguig.
In a dialogue during the unveiling, DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said he appreciated Rizal’s way of sharing knowledge and compared this to what the agency had been doing.
“My grandfather taught inside the house. He was teaching for about three hours. So imagine Rizal teaching biology without the tools that we have now. He asked his students to find species, and I could relate that to what we have been doing — teaching science through experience,” he said.
The DOST chief said Rizal was also a scientist, adding that the national hero spent his youth collecting various specimens of plants and animals, and sent these to reputable institutions in Europe. Some of the species he collected were even named after him, according to de la Peña.
In collaboration with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the DOST created that monument using acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, a strong polymer material. It was also reinforced with an internal steel structure.
“It was designed to withstand 330 kph winds and a magnitude 7 earthquake,” De la Peña said.
The monument is 12.5 feet tall, and was made from a material that could withstand impact and high temperature, ultraviolet rays, and has chemical resistant quality.
President Rodrigo Duterte urged Filipinos to honor the country’s “modern-day heroes who are at the frontlines” as the nation commemorates the 125th death anniversary of national hero Jose Rizal.
In his message during the annual occasion that commemorates the heroism of the great Dr. Jose Rizal, Duterte asked Filipinos to continue to honor Rizal “by exemplifying patriotism and idealism in all our endeavors as well as by fostering a greater sense of nationalism among the Filipino youth”.
Indeed, true heroes give their lives for love of country and of our people. This heroism has become more manifest when the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic swept the whole world,” he said.
“People of unmatched boldness and compassion stood and fought against the odds brought by the disease in order to help save lives, even while risking their own,” Duterte said.
“Today, as we celebrate the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal, let us also honor our modern-day heroes who are at the frontlines. Let us emulate his wisdom and courage in our own simple ways as we pursue a better and brighter future for all,” he added.
Duterte led a ceremony commemorating the martyrdom of the national hero at the Rizal National Monument in Rizal Park.
This year’s commemoration carries the theme “Rizal: Para sa Agham, Katotohanan at Buhay (Rizal: For Science, Truth, and Life).
This was his final opportunity to do so as the 76-year-old leader will step down from Malacanang after six months.