“When love of country means setting them on fire”
(Thoughts after Jose Rizal’s
Birthday)
Few years ago, president Duterte once said that the youth should emulate Jose Rizal. From his speech made during the December 30th death anniversary of the country's own "National Hero", Duterte, as any other leader, was trying to rally the youth by telling to follow Rizal’s example of patriotism and dedicate themselves to serve the nation.
“Rizal's ardent love of country and unfettered desire to cultivate not only his intellect but also the intelligence of his countrymen have led to a reawakening of the Filipinos' patriotism and sense of responsibility,” Duterte said.
“May his shining example to always think of the greater good be emulated by generations of our youth who look up to him today,” he added.
Sounds as same as any other statement especially in commemorating a hero like Rizal. In a time when youths are being belittled by their elders, of being succumbed to consumerist delusions in the name of modernity the message is itself as same as the others- to be an empty rhetoric.
Not surprising isn’t it? For despite honouring Rizal both in his birth and in death, he’s reduced to some kind of a person to be venerated yet misunderstood by anyone, even the government who afforded to encourage through its flattery.
Apologies for the thought, but reality bites. For the fact that the youth remains disenfranchised as those of the affected sectors, they did their best to keep the embers of national consciousness to remain alive and in touch with the times. But the order rather stunts it and reduced to mere idealism making the desire for change based on justice as some kind of choice. The community Pantry movement of Patricia Non was praised for being an act of charity, but Non’s motives aren’t charity alone but those of community solidarity- to which the government and its apologists belittle even accuse her of subversion. Like Rizal whose works as motivated by the desire for justice, her actions is itself motivated by responding to the call of the needy folks especially in this time of crisis, disquiet, and rage- and from it expect slander, mockery.
Perhaps, in his birth anniversary, this note would say that like Rizal and other heroes those who are truly concerned wished to continue with all their creativity and knowledge the unfinished works no matter that goddamn order tries to belittle them. For sure everyone had enough of spectacles and the treatment of works as mere literary and historical feats. They all had enough of modern day Tandang Basio Macunats, Propers, Hermana Penchangs, Damasos, Salvis, and even Isaganis. And contrary to the system’s idealising of Crisostomo Ibarra, reality becomes Simoun-like, of Salome rather than Maria Clara, altogether wanting to set fire against the world.