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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA and IZZA CASSANDRA ABOLUCION, Intern
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Friday, December 30, 2016
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ILOILO City – Dr. Jose Rizal may have died 120 years ago today, but his life and works, as told through time, have lived on among the youth, whom he described as “the hope of the fatherland.”
As the Philippines marks Rizal Day, young Ilonggos express admiration and respect for the national hero.
An “epitome of nationalism,” Rizal is “an inspiration to the youth,” the 20-year-old Charles Rey told Panay News.
“It’s always a challenge to meet his standard of service to the country,” Rey said. “The challenge compels us to go beyond our limits.”
Rey described Rizal as “a trailblazer of true and intelligent service.”
“I have always admired his brilliance. He took calculated risks and started new things,” the college student said. “While he had weaknesses, his imperfections make us understand that he was human, too.”
Rizal is to the Philippines what George Washington is to the United States, Gandhi to India and Bishop Desmond Tutu to South Africa, according to Jade Ayson, who studies political science.
“He has proven to us that the pen is really mightier than a sword,” said the resident of Santa Barbara, Iloilo.
Sheene Libs Mendoza learned from the national hero to always look back to where you came from.
“He has proven himself to the world, and yet he looked back. Why can’t we?” said the Pavia, Iloilo native, who has a political science degree.
Rizal was one of the few “enlightened Filipinos” who used their wealth and brains to give back to the country, said student Geroel James Salvador of Bacolod City.
“His life is an inspiration,” Salvador said. “His death opened the eyes of the Filipinos who were blinded by the lies of the Spaniards, and his works lived on to tell everybody that someone died for the freedom they are enjoying today.”
A 15-year-old Grade 10 student from Lemery, Iloilo urged his fellow youth not to forget the national hero.
To some teenagers, Rizal Day means nothing, Vince Perales told Panay News. “They are too focused on social media. They have no time to remember or know Rizal.”
“Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan (The youth is the hope of the fatherland),” he quoted Rizal’s famous line.
A 32-year-old housewife from Pavia, Iloilo recalled that “Rizal” was her favorite subject during college.
“I admire him (Rizal) for his ideas, brilliant mind and genius works,” the 32-year-old Katherine Salveron said. “Courage without bloodshed.”
Rizal’s famous novels, “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo,” helped spark the revolt against the Spaniards.
“His works linger long after he was gone because of their lessons on patriotism, love, respect, and courage without rage,” said Salveron./PN
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