President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to continue to embody Dr. Jose Rizal’s virtues of excellence, patriotism, and perseverance as he led the 126th commemoration of the martyrdom of the national hero at the Rizal Park in Manila on Friday.
Accompanied by his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and their children—Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander, William Vincent, and Joseph Simon—the President arrived at 6:45 a.m. and received military honors to kick off a short commemorative ceremony.
It was followed by a flag-raising rite led by the First Family and some military and government officials, including National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairman Dr. Rene R. Escalante.
Marcos also offered a wreath at the Rizal National Monument after the flag-raising ceremony, which was held simultaneously in various historical sites nationwide.
He then greeted the members of the diplomatic corps, national and local government officials, lawmakers, non-government organizations, and descendants of Jose Rizal to wrap up his first Rizal Day commemoration as president.
In his message, Marcos said he is hoping that Rizal’s determination to achieve real changes would empower Filipinos to become vigilant of the “social ills that may threaten our liberty.”
“Despite the threat of persecution, Rizal helped enlighten Filipinos about the injustice, corruption, and oppression they suffered at the hands of their colonizers. He did this unflinchingly, not through a violent uprising but through a peaceful protest using the power of the pen,” he added.
He also called on Filipinos to take the commemoration of Rizal’s martyrdom “to reflect on the kind of life that we want to live.”
“After all, true heroism does not only mean offering your life for your country but also fighting your own silent battles and working within your capacities to bring about a better future we wish to see for the present and succeeding generations,” he said. Vince Lopez and Maricel V. Cruz (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
The Philippine Army (PA) also joined the nation in commemorating the 126th anniversary of Rizal’s martyrdom.
Its Security and Escort Battalion joined the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) contingent in rendering military honors during the ceremony led by the President.
Marcos was then joined by military host, AFP chief of staff Lt. Gen. Vicente B. Bacarro in the wreath-laying rites at the Rizal Monument.
The country’s national hero, Rizal was only 35 years old when he was executed by the Spanish colonial government at the old Bagumbayan.
Rizal was executed at 7 a.m. on Dec. 30, 1896 by a firing squad at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) on orders of the Spanish colonial government for the crime of rebellion after the Philippine Revolution broke out mainly inspired by his writings.
On Dec. 20, 1898, then-president Emilio Aguinaldo issued a decree declaring Dec. 30 a day of national mourning for Rizal and other patriots who died during Spanish rule.
In 1902, the Philippine Commission enacted a law declaring Dec. 30 as Rizal Day, making it an official holiday.
On the occasion, Speaker Martin G. Romualdez called on all Filipinos to emulate the spirited nationalism and passion for excellence that best describe how the country’s national hero lived his life.
“As we commemorate the death of our hero Jose Rizal, we celebrate the life of the man who fathered this nation, and we honor the legacy he left behind: one of nationalism, love of country, a strong sense of duty, and living excellently. He was the Filipino ideal, the great example of how we should be living our lives as citizens,” Romualdez said.
“Aside from his strong sense of nationalism, he was also a great contributor to the nation that he dreamt of building. Not only was he a patriot, but he was also a novelist, ophthalmologist, historian, engineer, educator, painter, journalist, playwright, farmer, and inventor,” he added.
“He lived as an excellent citizen, and he died a patriot and a hero to his countrymen,” Romualdez said.