CALAMBA, Laguna, Philippines – President Aquino urged Filipinos to emulate the heroism of José Rizal whose supreme sacrifice paved the way for the freedom the country enjoys today.
In his speech keynoting the celebration of the national hero’s 150th birthday here yesterday, the President praised Rizal for choosing to do the right thing instead of looking the other way.
He said Rizal could have used his wealth and education to become rich and marry any girl he fancied, but he chose to correct the injustices done to the motherland.
“Even with the crossroads that he faced, Rizal never strayed from the right path,” Aquino said.
The President said the dilemmas that Rizal faced during his time were not much different from those that Filipinos face today.
“Filipinos today mull if they should choose to use the overpass or just jaywalk, to pay the correct taxes or not, or other similar things,” Aquino said.
He said Filipinos should follow Rizal’s lead.
“For most people, heroism is measured by how we face our everyday struggles,” the President said, citing as examples following the law, respecting other people’s rights, being truthful to one’s job and standing by one’s principles.
The Chief Executive said this has been his driving force in getting up every morning and doing his job of running the country.
“We are working very hard so that no other Filipino will have to offer his or her life for the welfare of future generations,” he added.
Tallest statue
The President also unveiled the tallest statue of Rizal here yesterday.
The President was joined by Calamba City Mayor Joaquin Chipeco, National Historical Commission of the Philippines chair Maria Serena Diokno, Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon Ejercito, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. and local officials in unveiling the 22-foot Jose Rizal monument erected on a 6.7-hectare property in front of the Calamba City Hall complex.
The bronze statue, work on which began last December, was designed and created by renowned sculptor Jonas Roces of Marikina.
Prior to the unveiling, the President was presented with five commemorative tokens for the sesquicentennial of Jose Rizal: a certificate of restoration of the Noli Me Tangere by German Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Ludwig Weber Lorssch; the e-Rizal tablet from Gov. Ejercito; a “Rizal at 150” commemorative medal from Central Bank governor Amado Tetangco, Jr.; a “Rizal at 150” commemorative stamp from Post Master General Antonio de Guzman; and a book on the “Lineage, Life and Labors of Jose Rizal” by Tulay Foundation chairman Manuel Chua.
The President earlier led flag-raising ceremonies at the Rizal ancestral home compound here to formally kick-off the celebrations, then led a wreath-laying ceremony at the foot of a bronze sculpture of Rizal as a boy.
A 21-gun salute honoring Rizal was then accorded by members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).
8 arrested
While President Aquino was delivering his speech during the celebrations for Rizal’s 150th birthday, the PSG nabbed eight people, including five students.
Arrested were Jeofrey Barreto, 33 and Rodel Badayor, 41, both members of Anakpawis group; and bystander John Louie Matira, 25.
The five students from the University of Philippines-Los Baños who were also arrested were Catherine Gigante, 21; Michael Jason Mozo, 18; Bhen Aguilar, 21; Ynik Ante, 19; and Ruffa Solano, 19.
The PSG team arrested the students, who were around 50 meters away from the President, after a commotion erupted while he was delivering his speech.
The students were turned over to the Calamba City police station.
Police Superintendent Joel Permito, Calamba City police chief, said charges for alarm and scandal would be filed against the suspects.
Mozo, however, said they only wanted to bring their grievances to the President, particularly the situation of education in the country today.
At least 150 members of militant groups trooped to the event. – Ed Amoroso