Duterte: Keep embers of nationalism alive
Published Dec 30, 2019 12:00 am
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
President Duterte expressed hope that Filipinos would keep the embers of nationalism alive as they face challenges and triumph just like what Dr. Jose Rizal did over a century ago.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Rizal Park in Davao City (Photo courtesy of PIA XI/ MANILA BULLETIN)
In his message at the 123rd anniversary of Rizal's death, the President urged the public to strengthen the freedom the country is enjoying by fighting the ills of society.
"Let us keep the embers of nationalism alive as we courageously face the challenges of apathy and divisiveness, and triumph over them just like what Rizal tenaciously did more than 120 years ago," he said.
"May the freedom we now enjoy as a people be cherished, be further fortified, and be kept thriving through the solidarity that we show in combating the ills of illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality," he added.
"Together, let us strengthen and protect our liberty that our heroes so unselfishly shed their blood for," he continued.
The President also hoped that the youth would take Rizal as an inspiration and think of the greater good.
"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.
Malacañang earlier announced that President Duterte would skip this year's Rizal Day rites, saying the President decided to be somewhere else and honor other heroes. However, Duterte led the Rizal Day wreath-laying and flag-raising ceremonies at the Rizal Park in Davao City Monday morning.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar also expressed hope for Filipinos to live with bravery and persistence and be selfless modern-day heroes.
He urged the public to continue Rizal's fight for a country united under the cause of justice and freedom, and one that works for collective progress and national dignity.
"Let’s all take this opportunity to continue to be inspired by, and to embody the values that defined Dr. Jose Rizal—his intellectual prowess, love for country, and compassion for others—as a way to honor and uphold his legacy today and for the Philippines’ future," Andanar said.
The Palace official described Rizal as a beacon of hope, unity, and valor and that he remained to be an example for everyone to stand up against cruelty and oppression even after his death.
Andanar said Rizal dedicated his life not just to writing novels that would open the Filipino's eyes to the injustice, discrimination, and racial persecution that ruled the Philippines during his time.
Rizal was born in Calamba, Laguna, on June 19, 1861. He was part of a group of Filipino Ilustrados who called for peaceful reform of Spain's colonial rule in the Philippines.
While in Europe, Rizal wrote about the discrimination that accompanied Spain's colonial rule of the Philippines. Among his famous works are "Noli Me Tangere," and "El Filibusterismo."
He returned to the Philippines in 1892 but was exiled to Dapitan by Spanish authorities. He was convicted of sedition and was executed on December 30, 1896, at the age of 35.
Based on the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) website, the observance of Rizal Day goes back to the decree issued by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on December 20, 1898, declaring December 30 as the anniversary of Jose Rizal’s death and also as "a national day of mourning" for Rizal and other victims of the Spanish dominion throughout its three centuries rule.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Rizal Park in Davao City (Photo courtesy of PIA XI/ MANILA BULLETIN)
In his message at the 123rd anniversary of Rizal's death, the President urged the public to strengthen the freedom the country is enjoying by fighting the ills of society.
"Let us keep the embers of nationalism alive as we courageously face the challenges of apathy and divisiveness, and triumph over them just like what Rizal tenaciously did more than 120 years ago," he said.
"May the freedom we now enjoy as a people be cherished, be further fortified, and be kept thriving through the solidarity that we show in combating the ills of illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality," he added.
"Together, let us strengthen and protect our liberty that our heroes so unselfishly shed their blood for," he continued.
The President also hoped that the youth would take Rizal as an inspiration and think of the greater good.
"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.
Malacañang earlier announced that President Duterte would skip this year's Rizal Day rites, saying the President decided to be somewhere else and honor other heroes. However, Duterte led the Rizal Day wreath-laying and flag-raising ceremonies at the Rizal Park in Davao City Monday morning.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar also expressed hope for Filipinos to live with bravery and persistence and be selfless modern-day heroes.
He urged the public to continue Rizal's fight for a country united under the cause of justice and freedom, and one that works for collective progress and national dignity.
"Let’s all take this opportunity to continue to be inspired by, and to embody the values that defined Dr. Jose Rizal—his intellectual prowess, love for country, and compassion for others—as a way to honor and uphold his legacy today and for the Philippines’ future," Andanar said.
The Palace official described Rizal as a beacon of hope, unity, and valor and that he remained to be an example for everyone to stand up against cruelty and oppression even after his death.
Andanar said Rizal dedicated his life not just to writing novels that would open the Filipino's eyes to the injustice, discrimination, and racial persecution that ruled the Philippines during his time.
Rizal was born in Calamba, Laguna, on June 19, 1861. He was part of a group of Filipino Ilustrados who called for peaceful reform of Spain's colonial rule in the Philippines.
While in Europe, Rizal wrote about the discrimination that accompanied Spain's colonial rule of the Philippines. Among his famous works are "Noli Me Tangere," and "El Filibusterismo."
He returned to the Philippines in 1892 but was exiled to Dapitan by Spanish authorities. He was convicted of sedition and was executed on December 30, 1896, at the age of 35.
Based on the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) website, the observance of Rizal Day goes back to the decree issued by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on December 20, 1898, declaring December 30 as the anniversary of Jose Rizal’s death and also as "a national day of mourning" for Rizal and other victims of the Spanish dominion throughout its three centuries rule.