ILOILO City – “As we continue to evolve in the present, so must we revisit the story of how we came to be as a nation.”
This was stressed by University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) chancellor Clement Camposano, the guest speaker during the 126th death anniversary commemoration of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, at Plaza Libertad here on Dec. 30.
“Indeed, we need to share in Rizal’s intellectual audacity – we should dare to mobilize our knowledge of the past for present purposes,” he emphasized.
Camposano added that only through this can our memory of the past serve, not as a guide, but as a foundation upon which the edifice of the future will be built.
“His audacious idea that we in the present may use historical knowledge to find ourselves in the past continues to hold sway in academia. His vision of a collective identity founded on a coherent and common memory is as politically compelling as ever,” he added.
Yesterday’s celebration of Rizal Day was anchored on the theme, “Rizal: Alaalang Iningatan, Yaman Ngayon ng Bayan (Rizal: Preserved Memories Treasured Today by the Nation).”
For Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, Rizal was a man who believed there’s no substitute for education.
Treñas underscored that he also believes education opens us to greater opportunities in life and that’s why programs that promote quality education have always been a priority of the city government.
“Through proper education we will be able to acquire enough skills and knowledge that will make us achieve many great things,” he added.
He cited that very recently, Iloilo city was reaping awards from the regional to the national levels because of its various projects and initiatives.
According to Treñas, Rizal had qualities worth emulating by every Filipino. With his love for country and determination to promote social justice, he was able to make significant contributions in the country.
“And if each one of us will have the same love for our country, we can create a huge impact in society in general, in our beloved city in particular. May this serve as an inspiration to all that we can all become modern heroes of the country by helping our fellowmen, by doing your own little share in bettering our communities, by doing your best in your work by supporting government in projects and programs that promote sustainability we can be all heroes,” he added.
Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, for his part, said yesterday’s commemoration was also a celebration of freedom from the ferocity of the COVID-19 pandemic that claimed many lives.
Ganzon thanked and honored modern day heroes such as the medical personnel and non-frontliners who risked their lives so that we may enjoy freedom from COVID-19 infection.
“Tandaan nga indi man kinahanglan nga mag-angkon kita sang mataas nga posisyon sa komunidad agud makahimu sang maayo kag mangin baganihan sa panulok sang tanan. Ang matuod nga baganihan nagahimu sang matarong bisan wala sang may nagatulok ukon nagadayaw nga katawhan. Padayun lang kita sa paghimu sang matarong sa atun panimalay, komunidad, kag kun diin man kita nahamtang kay ini ang matuod nga pagka-baganihan,” he stressed./PN
