MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos called on Filipinos to embody the virtues of excellence, patriotism and perseverance that Jose Rizal demonstrated throughout his life as the nation marked the 126th death anniversary of the national hero yesterday.
Marcos said Rizal’s life and works awakened Filipinos to the injustice, corruption and oppression they suffered at the hands of Spanish colonizers.
“May Rizal’s determination to achieve real changes empower the Filipinos today to become vigilant of the social ills that may threaten our liberty,” the President said in a statement.
“May he continue to become a role model to all of us who aspire to impart our knowledge and dedicate our abilities to the betterment of society,” he added.
The President urged Filipinos to use the occasion to reflect on the kind of life they want to live, stressing that true heroism does not only mean offering one’s life for the country but also fighting silent battles and working within capacities to bring about a better future for the present and succeeding generations.
Marcos laid a wreath at the Rizal Monument in Manila yesterday morning. This was followed by a flag-raising ceremony where the President was assisted by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and sons Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos and Joseph Simon and William Vincent Marcos.
This was Marcos’ first Rizal Day rites as president.
He was also joined by National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairman Rene Escalante, the Rizal Day Technical Working Committee members, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from national and local government offices, non-government organizations and the descendants of Rizal.
Flag-raising and wreath-laying rites were also simultaneously conducted at the Museo ni Jose Rizal in Calamba, Laguna; Museo ni Jose Rizal in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte and all local government units.
For Speaker Martin Romualdez, Rizal was “an excellent citizen” and a great contributor to the nation that he dreamt of building.
Nation-building, he said, requires hard work and sacrifice, and Rizal was “a fine example of a good citizen contributing to the betterment of the country.”
“Not only was he a patriot, but he was also a novelist, ophthalmologist, historian, engineer, educator, painter, journalist, playwright, farmer and inventor,” he said.
Born in Calamba, Laguna on June 19, 1861, Rizal was best known for advocating political reforms in the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule.
He became famous for his classic novels, “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo,” which awakened the minds of Filipinos to the long struggle against Philippine colonizers.
He was executed by Spanish authorities on Dec. 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan, now Rizal Park, for rebellion after the Philippine revolution broke out mainly inspired by his writings.
Heroism of OFWs
In paying homage to Rizal, the President also honored the heroism of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and vowed to ensure their welfare and interests as well as that of their families in the Philippines.
“Now, more than ever, the role you play in reviving our economy and raising the standard of living of your family and fellow Filipinos is very important,” Marcos said in Filipino during the “Pamaskong Handog Para sa Pamilyang OFW,” a gift-giving event, in Malacañang.
Also present during the event were the First Lady, sons Simon and Vincent, Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople and other officials.
Marcos said the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has intensified its programs for OFWs, considered as the country’s modern-day heroes. The event coincided with the first anniversary of the DMW, which was created through Republic Act 11641.
From July to December this year, the agency assisted some 766,290 OFWs to find decent employment abroad and facilitated the repatriation of 6,341 distressed OFWs. – Sheila Crisostomo, Ghio Ong