MANILA, Philippines -- In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) and the 150th birth anniversary of the country’s national hero, a special governance lecture entitled “Rizal and the Consequences of Leadership” was given by Dr. Ambeth Ocampo, chairperson of the History Department of the Ateneo de Manila University.

The series of events and lectures will commemorate ASoG’s 10 years of commitment to its mission of partnering with effective and ethical public servants in creating prosperous communities throughout the Philippines.

“ASoG will also feature champions of good governance and innovation in government, the academe, and development,” says ASoG associate director for communications Mary Grace Santos said.

As part of the Ateneo Professional Schools, ASoG promotes the improvement of new ideas and approaches in leadership among service-oriented professionals in government, business, and social development.

For the past few years, it has developed competently in upholding governance innovations, which facilitates local governments to generate wealth and deliver basic services. ASoG draws from the intellectual resources of the University, as well as from the Ateneo’s many years of social apostolate and interaction with the country’s decision-makers and basic sectors.

Reminiscing Rizal at 150 

The celebration marking the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal last June was a day filled with festivities, art exhibits, lectures, and concerts.

Historian and educator Dr. Ambeth Ocampo, who has been reading, writing, and speaking about Rizal for the past 26 years, says that the life of Rizal continues to be significant today because of his great gifts. Among these is precognition. It is remarkable to note that 14 years before Rizal was put to death, he forecasted that he would die on the 30th of December.

However, Dr. Ocampo also laments Rizal’s relevance. “In a way, it's depressing that Rizal is still relevant to the Philippines today. That means we are still looking for leaders.”

Rizal was arrested, jailed, and then evicted to Dapitan, Zamboanga upon his homecoming to the Philippines. He lived like a prisoner and yet he still managed to achieve many things. He taught the poor Mindanao folk to come together for trading so that they may become independent, free themselves from the Chinese, and thus become less subjugated.

“Rizal was sentenced to death because he was the living soul of the revolution,” Dr. Ocampo said. Until the end, he proved his selflessness by giving his services to those who needed him most instead of saving his life. His existence served as a memento that an individual’s life is a little cost to give for the discovery of people’s liberty.

Dr. Ocampo believes that Rizal’s legacy is in reality a challenge to be better than what we are and to see beyond our-selves.

May al l Filipinos be reminded to rise above self, to seek ways to pulling off large-scale development plans, and to reach out to others for a more developed and empowered country Long live our national hero! Long live Jose Rizal!

(Shylynne Castillo is currently the media relations officer at the Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government. Comments are welcome at shylynne29@yahoo.com)