"The need to awaken consciousness in a time of disquiet"

"The need to awaken consciousness in a time of disquiet"

(A Rizal day message)

Several decades ago, on the fields of Bagumbayan in the old province of Manila, the Filipino people witnessed the supreme sacrifice made by a man who soon to become known as the man who forged a lasting influence in the history of the nation. This man, known by many Dr. Jose Rizal, offered his life as he had offered his works, making the cause of freedom and justice, and the dignity of his countrymen be furthered.

That even until today his words resonates through. For like the tragic events in Bagumbayan, or from the prison cells of Fort Santiago and in Intramuros, same events do happen in the present; but instead of a formal execution, an extrajudicial act in the dark thoroughfare, and instead of Fort Santiago and Intramuros, the crampy cells of Bilibid or a safe house will do. In other words- seeing same old devils from an order whose oppression meant upholding interests, and whose victims as crying for change and justice.

Sounds political isn't it? For like Rizal, those who truly concerned about the country would have expressed bluntly. He would had enjoyed his profession and died a natural death, but given the time when darkness, injustice, and tyranny prevailed he had to engage in seeking truth from facts, and with his creativity made people aware that the country of theirs hath to be fought so as to cherish it. 

And because of that, expect the concerned calls for the same calls Rizal desired, what more that there are those who are willing to go beyond the parameters just to realise those lofty goals. However, that same Rizal himself did discouraged the desire to go beyond the parameters of reform like what happened at Dapitan with Pio Valenzuela and the testament discouraged the Filipinos from engaging in that desire; it may sound strange, but to think that with his sacrifice it did became a factor to bring down a coloniser. As according to Miguel de Unamuno:

"Rizal is a soul that dreads the revolution although deep down he desires it".

Indeed, as he made Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo thinking it was any other book to amuse with as Les Miserables and Don Quixote, but the commoner made it more than a book but a guide for action; he also did taught the youth and the old about nation building through mutual aid and cooperation, thinking it meant emancipation and bringing back honor and dignity; he discovered new things using then-scientific breakthroughs, enough to say that the Filipino able to engage in the sciences like those of its neighbours; that made various artworks through sketching and sculpture, showcasing the arts that the Filipino be able to express its talent; and he envisioned a country where people are neither slave nor master but equal in the eyes of god, as he tried his best to counter those who slander his compatriots. 

That even in this present setting his desire continues to rage on those who truly concerned about the country. The system may afford to parrot his statements as any other holiday messages, urging the youth to embody patriotism and to awaken consciousness, but it is the same system that wishes to bury alive those who seek truth from facts and to silence those who dare to question their integrity. Anyway, Quoting from Rizal's "El Filibusterismo":

"Hate never produces anything but monsters and criminals! Love alone realizes wonderful works, virtue alone can save!"