Today, The Philippines Remembers Rizal’s death. “No matter how perfect humanity may become, patriotism will always be a virtue among oppressed people, because it will at all times mean love of justice, of liberty, of personal ideals!”, emphasized José Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero, who has been considered as one of the the best Filipino literary writers who has ever lived - a pride of the Malay race, he is.
On December 30, 1896, the Philippines’ national hero, was executed by soldiers of the Colonial Spanish Army in what was then Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) because of his association with the members of the Katipunan (the organized group who aimed to fight for the country’s freedom). His statue in Rizal Park was designed by Richard Kissling. It has an inscription that says:
I want to show to those who deprive people the right to love of country, that when we know how to sacrifice ourselves for our duties and convictions, death does not matter if one dies for those one loves – for his country and for others dear to him.
I had the privilege of being in the Philippines on Rizal Day last year. Our hotel was right by Rizal Park. An amazing man!
He is definitely one of my heroes. <3
God, books, coffee, tea, hymns, quotes, nursing, introspection, & laughter.
