Search for modern day Rizals

MANILA, Philippines - The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) is looking for modern day, living Rizals.

Just before they bring the celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of the country’s national hero Dr. Jose Rizal to a close, the NHCP is set to conduct the first Rizal Awards, where they hope to find a new breed of Filipinos or foreigners who embody the hero’s traits and sense of patriotism.

NHCP chair Ma. Serena Diokno said that the country needs to have role models.

“In these difficult moments, when we are all trying to assert and uphold the fundamental values that have made us a people, our belief in ourselves, a very high standard of integrity and love for our country, we need more role models in every profession, in every age level, whatever gender or ethnic background. This is what we want the Rizal Awards to celebrate: that Rizal was born 150 years ago, and 150 years later we can still see him in living Filipinos,” said Diokno.

Diokno, who is also a History professor at the University of the Philippines, is saddened that whenever she would ask freshmen whom they admire in government, they have difficulty naming any official.

“I don’t want a lost generation. I want a generation that can take pride in people at the time you are alive,” she said.

Diokno explained they would accept both Filipino and foreign nominees because the Rizal Committee believes that Rizal is a “Global Filipino.”

“In Southeast Asia, in Indonesia and Malaysia there are a lot of people with the name of Rizal. They actually adopted Rizal. He is considered first as a Malay. He has many facets. He is first a Filipino and second, an Asian,” she said.

To be eligible to join the competition, a nominee should stimulate and encourage works toward the Rizalian concept of love of country and fulfill their duties as a Filipino; have meritorious achievement, either individual or institutional, in a profession with a strong orientation toward service to the community and/or country; and promoting and encouraging civic competence and integrity.

Three awards will be given for individuals and one award for an institution. Diokno clarified that there would not be monetary prizes to the winners, but rather a Rizal medallion.

Deadline for submission of nominees and completion of documentation is April 15. Nomination forms may be downloaded from the NHCP website nhi.gov.ph or email [email protected] for more information. Awards will be conferred on June 19, 2012.