A Remembrance of Rizal’s Relevance
Can a National Hero’s legacy reverberate in the age of social media?
Published December 30, 2018, 12:06 AM
In a country of 104 million people who celebrate Christmas and Catriona Gray’s win, only a few will bother to answer when asked of Jose Rizal’s impact in the current state of affairs in the country.
SELFIE WITH NATIONAL HERO – A group of friends takes a souvenir photo in front of ‘The martyrdom of Rizal’ painting by National Artist Botong Francisco days before the commemoration of the 122nd annivesary of Dr. Jose Rizal's martyrdom. (Jansen Romero/ MANILA BULLETIN)
As of this writing, a photo that is viral now on the rich, throbbing social media community bemoans the lack of care and sensitivity as picnic loiterers trash Rizal Park, the place where the hero met his death and his remains are interred at a monument dedicated to him.
But to what extent does Rizal leave an impact on the minds of a generation that’s hooked on Netflix and engaged on word wars on Facebook? Remember, it was Rizal who said that the ‘hope of the future lies on the youth.’
So if it were to the youthwho is Rizal to them? In a senior high school class in Antipolo, majority of the students answered “National Hero”, “face of the one-peso coin”, “Luneta Park,” among others. Very few among the youth equate Rizal to today’s ‘environment’ – how Rizal would stand up to bullies (i.e. the Spaniards in that era), how Rizal would take care of the earth, how Rizal would have compassion for the poor and sick. All these traits of Rizal are values lost among the youth.
But things are not too late. Hope springs eternal, especially if there are people who continue to see the ‘silver lining’ among the youth.
Even in Mindanao, the impact of Jose Rizal’s words still find their way into public elementary school teacher and community journalist from Surigao
del Sur, Jake Dinglasa Fraga.
“Rizal proved that the pen is mightier than the sword,” Fraga said. “Through his writings, the spirit of nationalism was awakened among Filipinos and love for country was kindled. Rizal remains relevant to most Filipinos. We can show the youth that through the use of words instead of bullets, we can fight for democracy and ignite nationalism.”
Even photographer Mandy Navasero agrees, espousing the need for Rizal’s two novels to be read and studied diligently by today’s youth. “If we seriously study Noli and Fili, the younger Pinoys will be inspired to love their country, to become patriots, and to fight for our rights.”
To De La Salle University lecturer, creative writer and mother Tanya Sevilla-Simon, she is curious as to how a hero from a hundred years ago would impress on her son. “My six-year-old boy is interested on why the Spanish killed him,” she said telling him how Rizal actually died. “Since he is six, he may have a concept of what a hero is based on the movies he watched so now he is wrapping his head around how one gets to become a hero in real life without the superpower stuff.”
For Jonald Bueno, an 18-year old student from Quezon, Rizal is a “role model.” “I’m only aware of Rizal through our studies but if we look closely, his life should be our role model. Love for country and the environment.
Caring for the elderly and sick. These are what we must do.”
In the clutter of social media and in the time of fast (and sometimes fake) news, Rizal’s relevance rises in some occasions, such as when a controversial building obstructed the skyline of Rizal Park and when we suddenly realize it is almost the end of the year. Like today, Rizal will once again fill up some social media posts and online feeds.
But what truly is his significance in the coming days after Rizal Day is over? If love for country (or love for environment) is waning, then Rizal’s legacy will slowly fade away. But if we continue to inspire the young generation to follow in a hero’s footsteps, then Rizal lives on forever.
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