Education: Rizal’s Supreme Aspiration

Jose Rizal valued learning so much that the education of Filipinos emerged from being one of the dreams of his youth to become his supreme aspiration during his adulthood.

In 1876, when he was a 15-year-old student at the Ateneo Municipal of Manila, he wrote the poem Por la educación recibe lustre la Patria (Education Gives Luster to the Motherland), which affirmed that education was an instrument that “inspires an enchanting virtue and puts the country in the lofty seat of endless glory” (more…)

There was no protectorate on June 12, 1898

SOME claim that June 12 is not the fitting day to observe the country’s Independence Day because of a supposedly faulty passage in the document of the proclamation of Philippine independence from Spanish rule, which was signed on June 12, 1898, in Kawit, Cavite. The pertinent portion of the Acta de la proclamación de independencia del pueblo Filipino (Act of Proclamation of Independence of the Filipino People) runs thus: (more…)

Rizal’s Love for the Motherland

OUR national hero, Jose Rizal, loved his country deeply. He had been to free, lovely, prosperous, and developed nations, yet he always preferred to return to his own. Love of country, the native land, the motherland, and the land of birth – this was the very character that defined his personality. (more…)

Rizal’s Challenge to the Youth

JOSE Rizal’s famous message for the youth is that the youth is fair hope of the nation. What he exactly said was the youth was “bella esperanza de la Patria mia” or “fair hope of my fatherland” (Rizal’s Poems, Centennial Edition, Manila: Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission, 1962, p. 15). (more…)

The Greatness of Noli Me Tangere

JOSE Rizal poured most of his literary talent into the novel. He wrote two powerful novels that are now associated with his heroism and greatness: Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo (Subversion).

He began writing the Noli in late 1884, when he was still studying in Madrid, Spain, and finished it on February 21, 1887, in Berlin, Germany, while in poverty amidst a harsh winter. Only 25 years old then, he had already produced a 465-page manuscript. It went into publication in March 1887 in Berlin, when its printer churned out its first 2,000 hardbound copies. (more…)

The Rizal Cult: On How Filipinos Created Their National Hero

WHEN Jose Rizal was still alive, his countrymen had already looked up to him as their guide towards reforms, revolution, and independence from Spanish rule. And when he had died, it was also the Filipino people who eventually recognized him as their greatest national hero. (more…)

Magsisi ka man at huli wala nang mangyayari.

English (Loose translation): There is no point blaming yourself for something that has happened in the past.

Explanation: The truth is you cannot regret something that has yet to happen. Regret is always related to a past event, action or decision. But there is no benefit in blaming oneself for things that you cannot change any longer. One has to move on.

Do you agree with the saying? What do you think of our commentary?

Huli man daw at magaling, naihahabol din.

English: Better late than never.

Explanation: No explanation required.

Kung binigyan ng buhay, bibigyan din ng ikabubuhay.

English (Loose translation): If you gave life to somebody, you should also provide him/her a source of livelihood.

Explanation: One practical application of this saying is the case of a parent-child relationship. It is not enough that a child is born to the world. It also the responsibility of a parent to give that child the facility to survive ~ through food, clothing and shelter (while still young) as well as education to prepare the child for his/her future.

Do you agree with this saying?

Ang paala-ala ay mabisang gamot sa taong nakakalimot

English: A reminder is an effective medicine to someone who forgets.

Explanation: Athough this saying does not require an explanation, someone may ask: Why is a reminder considered a medicine?

That is a very valid question. This is where the experience and wisdom of our parents are valuable. Even before science has confirmed that memory deficiency is a medical condition, Filipinos (or perhaps even people of other cultures) of olden times already knew that forgetfulness was a disease that needed to be cured. And the practical cure is reminders.

Do you agree with this saying? What do you think of our commentary?