Young Roots
My one peso inspiration
By Raqueza S. Lalangan
ONE peso brings a lot of joy to a kid, at least during my childhood. I always felt contented then whenever my mother or father would give me a one-peso coin so that I could buy myself a candy or a biscuit. As a I was growing up, I realized that it was not only the food that brought me joy each time I had a one peso coin in my hand. Look at your one peso coin closely and the reason is there.
I first met José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda on the one peso coin. I did not even know who he is back then, but I already valued the face and the name ‘Jose Rizal’ inscribed on that coin. It intrigued me. Why not? After all, it is his face and name on a coin while I don’t see neither my face nor my name on any coin.
I was in high school when I first read the writings of Jose Rizal, as required in the curriculum. His Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo really fascinated me no end that I internalized the character of Crisostomo Ibarra in Noli or Simoun in El Fili. The character of Crisostomo, who evolved into Simoun, was a very intelligent and kind-hearted person but his enemies conspired to ruin the life that he and his father Rafael had worked hard for. The two novels are full of sarcasm, hatred, revenge, bitterness, but hope is still present at the end of the story.
The time came when my high school teacher chose me to represent our school to the Division Rizal Quiz Bee. That was truly a blessing because I learned so much about the man on my one peso coin that I learned to admire. The experience was just like meeting Rizal in person! Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 and he had quite a big head (literally) and his shoulders were not proportionate. He loved eating tuyo or daing. I can talk about him for an entire day. My college instructor even used to call me apo (grandchild) ni Jose Rizal because of this. I hope I am not being arrogant here, but I really am always eager to know more things about Rizal. Today, I continue searching for more information about him.
What I like about Rizal – aside from his writings including the poems A las Flores de Heidelberg, Mi Ultimo Adios, which Rizal actually left untitled, and Canto del Viajero – is how he lived his life. He was fluent in many languages such as French, Greek, Latin, Spanish, German, etc. He discovered species of plants (including medicinal plants) and animals. He invented a machine that makes bricks. He was able to operate and cure sick people even if he had no license as a doctor. He was also a magician. All of these were just a few of his achievements and contributions.
Many rumors about Rizal being a coward, playboy, gay, anti-Christ; that Rizal died because of a sexually transmitted disease (STD), etc., persist to this day and I just don’t get the point of discrediting Rizal among us Filipinos. Rizal contributed his knowledge, his skills to Philippine society, perhaps most influential of which were his writings that inspired the Katipuneros to revolt against the Spanish colonizers. His works, his intelligence, and his skills were true sources of inspiration.
I believe it is only right to make Jose Rizal’s achievements as sources of inspiration especially to students and writers to improve one’s self. Rizal was a diligent student and as a writer dared to change the norms and stereotypes in order to reform the society.
Was Rizal then a reformist or a revolutionist? History says he was both. Initially, he wanted the Philippines to be just a colony of Spain so that Filipinos could have equal rights (reformist) with the Spaniards at that time, but when he realized that the Spaniards would not grant Filipinos equal rights, he chose to overthrow (revolutionist) the Spaniards even by means of force. This question whether Rizal was a reformist or a revolutionist remains a contentious issue, and I could write a lot more on this, but that would be another issue.
For now, let me just end this tribute by greeting the birthday boy…Happy 151st birthday, Jose Rizal!
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
