Tribute to a father

As Father’s Day draws near, Filipinos are also looking forward to pay tribute to the father of Philippine Nationalism—Dr. Jose Rizal—on his 150th birthday come June 19.
Believing that Rizal Day should be honored on the country’s national hero’s birthday, instead of his death, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos filed the Senate Bill 2743 that seeks to amend Rizal Day, from December 30 to June 19. Likewise, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) also pushed for Rizal Day to be moved to June 19 so that students could participate in the commemoration activities.
Last April 26, President Aquino III, then declared June 20 (June 19 falls on a Sunday in the Philippines) as a national holiday under proclamation number 154, for Filipinos to better commemorate Rizal’s heroic deeds and significant contributions to the country.
Although it is still uncertain if the proclamation is permanent, several groups of Filipinos all over the world are preparing to celebrate the birthday of Rizal this coming Sunday.
As part of preparations, the people from Rizal’s birthplace in Calamba, Laguna, together with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), have put up the world’s tallest Jose Rizal monument which is 22 feet in height. The bronze replica of the national hero will be unveiled on his birthday.
The National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) is also revamping the Luneta Park (also known as Rizal Park) by trimming its garden, adding new facilities, and repainting its statues.
Filipino-American communities in Los Angeles, California, celebrated on the eve of Philippine Independence Day (June 12) by rendering respect to the patriots, like Rizal, who have fought for freedom in the country. Rizal’s great grand niece, Patricia Magdalena Laurel, joined the recently held Kalayaan 2011 held in the Universal City. Thousands of Filipinos throughout Southern California attended the event.
Meanwhile. other groups like the Sagrada Familia of Sitio Rongot in Calamba, Laguna, not only awaits Rizal’s birthday, but also his “return” to save mankind after the apocalypse. The Sagrada Familia believe that Rizal is a God; thus, they call him Amang Rizal (Father Rizal) or Amang Doktor (Father Doctor).
Like the Sagrada Familia, other “Rizalistas” like the members of the group Watawat ng Lahi, choose to live in Rizal’s example and teachings, believing that they will prosper if they do so. The group, however, takes Rizal as human and should not be worshipped as God.
A linguist proficient in 22 foreign languages, a doctor, writer, and a nationalist, Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda has become the poster boy of Philippine Independence not only through his talent and works, but also of his refusal to resort to brute force in going against the Spanish colonial rule. His death on December 30, 1896 sparked a revolution that ultimately led to Philippine Independence on July 4, 1986.
Being a father is not limited to having to support a family; it can also mean being a pillar of change that many people could look up to and follow. Whether a person is a father to a couple of children or a thousand, the same respect and honor remains the same. When honoring fathers, it does not matter how grand a child expresses his gratitude. All that matters is that he continues to live the legacy his father his left him and pass it on to his children unto the next.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(Northern California June 17-23, 2011 Sec A pg. 8)