Rizal’s Pangasinan roots
DURING his teenage years up to early adulthood, Dr. Jose Rizal frequented Lingayen to visit kin, including his cousin and childhood sweetheart Leonor Rivera.
The maternal roots of Rizal’s mother Teodora Alonzo Quintos Rizal lived for several years in Sitio Parian in Lingayen.
While in the province, the young man who would become national hero, also visited Leonor in Dagupan where she resided and taught piano lessons.
These interesting facts came to light during a two-hour forum and poetry reading on Rizal to mark his 117th death anniversary last Sunday, December 30.
The forum featured a reading of Rizal’s “My Last Farewell” in Spanish, Pilipino, Ilokano and Pangasinan versions at the Kabaleyan Channel simulcast in Radyo ng Bayan.
Forum panelist, Arabela Ventinilla-Arcinue, president of Pangasinan Heritage Society and Commissioner of Pangasinan Historical Cultural Society, presented documents authenticating Rizal’s maternal residency in the Capitol town in the years 1870’s.
Herself a descendant of the Saysons clan, Arcinue spoke about her mother, the late Remedios Sayson Ventinella and her father, Jose Sayson, who was a close friend of Rizal, stressing their friendship was sealed during the hero’s regular Lingayen visits.
The Rizal forum was moderated by PHCC commissioner Virgie Pasalo.
The following recited Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios in four languages, namely, Johnny Monlic, Tagalog version; Melchor Orpilla, Ilokano version, and Sonny Villafania, Pangasinan version.
The PUNCH columnist Jun Velasco, Knights of Rizal chapter commander of Quezon City, said a study of Rizal’s life will shame our thieving politicians which have increased through the years.
Pasalo said to study Rizal is to “give meaning to the hero’s words, ‘Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinangalingan ay di makakarating sa patutungohan’.”
Villafania, an ASNA awardee, said he has in his possession proofs and documents about Rizal’s roots in the province.
Poet Orpilla, meanwhile, said Rizal’s My Last Farewell brought tears in his eyes, as he captured his thoughts when he was to be executed the following day.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
