Emulate Rizal's principles, Palace tells youth
The youth should take inspiration from the story of the life of the country's National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal as the country commemorates his martyrdom today, Malacañang said Saturday.
"Today, December 30, we reminisce and honor the martyrdom of
our beloved national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, whose ultimate sacrifice awakened the entire Filipino race from its peonage to a colonial master for more than 30 decades," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.
"More than one century has passed since his execution in Bagumbayan, but his influence on our nation’s evolution remains relevant today as it was 122 years ago," he added.
According to Panelo, the legacy of Rizal's life and death is a walking testament to a person's magnificent and consuming love for his country that sparked a leap for freedom and an assertion of national dignity.
"As we commemorate the anniversary of his death, we ask our people, the youth in particular, to take inspiration from Rizal’s life story and emulate the principles that made him the country’s greatest hero, taking a leap from one of his immortal legacies and a truism that it is a useless life that is not consecrated to a vision and fulfillment of a great idea," he said.
Panelo noted that what the Philippines needs now are people who are brave and principled to solve the country's problems.
"In these challenging and crucial times, we need equally courageous and principled Filipinos, stripped of apathy and selfishness, to become modern-day heroes to sustain our fight for freedom from all the ills of society," he said.
"Jose Rizal’s martyrdom should propel us to rise to the challenge of the times and unchain ourselves from our stupor of indifference and race to the finish line of genuine change and prosperity," he added.
According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Rizal Day is being commemorated every December 30 to remember the nationalism and martyrdom of Rizal.
The commemoration is highlighted by the raising of the Philippine flag and wreath laying-ceremonies at the Luneta Park, Rizal Shrine in Calamba and Zamboanga and Rizal Monument in Baguio City.
This year, President Duterte is set to lead the ceremonies commemorating Rizal's death at the Rizal Park in Davao City.
According to the the 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.
The first celebration of Rizal Day was held in Manila on December 30,1898 which coincided with the unveiling of the Rizal monument in Daet, Camarines Norte. NHCP said the monument was the first erected in honor of Rizal.
Rizal was executed by the Spanish colonial government for the crime of rebellion after the Philippine Revolution, inspired in part by his writings, broke out.