This is just one of the precious phrases we inherited from one of the most unforgettable and greatest heroes in the Philippines. Nothing more but our National hero, Dr.Jose Protacio Rizal .But as of now, we can observe that these are just mere words and were never put to life.
Dr.Jose Rizal, our greatest hero and martyr dubbed fondly as the Greatest Malayan, was a many splendored genius. He was richly dowered by God with superb intellectual, moral and physical qualities. Truly , he ranks with the world’s geniuses. He was an anthropologist,businessman,cartographer,dramatist,essayist,educator,engineer,farmer,geographer,grammarian,historian,linguist ,novelist, painter, poet, sculpture, psychologist, surveyor, traveller and zoologist. More than all these, he was a patriot, hero and martyr. Unlike many geniuses, he consecrated his God-given talents and even sacrificed his own life for the redemption and welfare of his people. Verily a man of his heroism and versatility appears but once in the history of any nation.
Despite his young age, he strived hard to study the abuses of the Spaniards, the brutal acts of the “guardia civil”, the unjust tortures and execution of Gomburza,awakened his spirit of patriotism and inspired him to dedicate this life to redeem his oppressed people and led him to write some remarkable novels such as “ Noli Me Tangere” followed by “El Filibusterismo”.His novels aimed to awake the Filipinos and learn to fight for their freedom and to stand on their own will. Probably, he was then the key to the freedom we are experiencing now. But what happened to this freedom? Do we still care for it? Do we lift our fingers and wink our eyes? Where are the youth, the hope of the motherland, the ones who are responsible in giving importance to our freedom and fighting for it?
Yes, we the youth are responsible for all these. But instead of moving our modernized intelligence, we did just a thing that sails far away from our hero.
Nowadays, there are lots of juvenile, delinquents young people who become criminals ,drug addicts, school drop-outs and rapists. Most of them neglect their studies.
Let us wake up from this nightmare. There are still chances to save the trusts of our heroes. Don’t be coward to face the struggle and challenges of life, be brave, hand and hand, we’ve got to start working as one. Nowadays, we are the heroes, the Filipino youth who are humanitarians, nature-loving and intelligent. we must imitate the good things our heroes have done for us..Let’s keep it as our number one inspiration towards building a
Strong nation. Through being another Jose Rizal is a big stepping stone in committing our country’s goal,peace,progress and success.
Let these undying example of Dr. Jose Rizal ring to inspire us in our quest for excellence and unity and I finally say:
:Why not make Rizal a role model?”
By: Erlinda B. Navarro | T-III | Bantan Elementary School
