MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino called on Filipinos to follow the example of national hero Jose Rizal, whose 118th death anniversary was commemorated yesterday, and help raise the country out of poverty.
In his message, Aquino said: “As today’s stewards, we are enjoined to do the same: walk the path of accountability and commit ourselves to the task of nation-building.
“We shall compose the next chapters of our history and pass it on to many Filipinos.”
Speaking at the anniversary of Rizal’s martyrdom in the park in Manila that bears his name, Aquino said Filipinos can be civic-minded without plotting to topple the government as the national hero had done against the Spaniards.
“The battles we confront may be different from our forebears’, yet the call to action and service they heard remains resonant and clear,” he said.
“He took it upon himself to alleviate the despair of others and cast his stake for a tomorrow of peace and liberty.
“May this commemoration invigorate and impassion us as a people, that we may remain unwavering in the duty to bequeath succeeding generations with the dignified, progressive future they deserve.”
Aquino led yesterday’s ceremonies in Rizal Park to commemorate Rizal’s execution by firing squad in 1896.
Vice President Jejomar Binay greeted Aquino before the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies.
“United, let us strive to leave them a legacy of an empowered and proud nation,” Aquino said.
“The Filipino people stand united in celebrating the life of a man who, throughout his life, sought to uplift the circumstances of his motherland and fellows: We honor Gat Jose Rizal – his courage, deeds, and generosity of spirit,” Aquino stressed, recalling Rizal’s virtues.
Aquino was given full military honors with a 21-gun salute.
Accompanying him were Maria Serena Diokno, National Historical Commission of the Philippines head, and executive director Ludovico Badoy.
Other government officials present were Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino.
Yesterday’s ceremony was also attended by the Supreme Commander of the Order of Knights of Rizal, Jeremias Singson.
The descendants of Rizal through his siblings Maria, Narcisa, Saturnina, Paciano and Soledad were present at the event.
First Rizal Day was in Malolos
The nation’s first official commemoration of Rizal’s martyrdom took place in Malolos in 1898.
Historian Isagani Giron, founding president of the Bulacan Salinlahi Inc., told The STAR Emilio Aguinaldo’s revolutionary government commemorated Rizal’s martyrdom in front of Casa Real in Malolos, now known as Plaza Rizal.
On Dec. 20, 1898, Aguinaldo issued a decree in Malolos commemorating the death anniversary of Rizal every 30th day of December, he added.
Giron said the presidential palace during the short-lived Malolos Republic was housed in the Malolos Cathedral, now the Basilica Minore.
The Congress was at Barasoain Church and Casa Real was the national printing office, he added.– With Ramon Efren Lazaro, Eva Visperas, Christina Mendez, Rainier Allan Ronda