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Readers of “Rizal’s True ove” will gain deeper insights than just how many hearts the national hero broke in a span of 35 years. But if they still want to know Rizal’s criteria for the ideal woman, it’s also there in the new book by emma Cruz Araneta.

emma focuses on aspects of Rizal that history classes gloss over what made his heart beat fast. Those are, among others, the purpose of iga ilipina, his model community in Dapitan, the roots of our agrarian unrest, comrades in the nationalist movement, and his blueprint for nationhood. Of note is the way Rizal is presented not as a “stand alone” patriot who worked by himself, but as an ardent organizernetworker, always attuned to the needs of the atherland.

A descendant of Rizal, emma grew up hearing about her patriotic forebears — and so appreciates their pains and triumphs. er collection of essays reveals the hidden connections among people and events. Again of note is why Rizal’s enigmatic brother Paciano was buyers — financed by the same onion importers. Meanwhile, the importers unload their stocks at 65-percent markup. Warehouse space is made for the cheap local harvest. When the imported stocks run out, they sell the local stocks at the same high price. Importers enrich themselves at the expense of farmers and consumers.

It doesn’t end there. The importers turn to outright smuggling — recycling the used import permits to bring in more yellow onion. This time the pre-winter harvests from Australia-New ealand are sneaked in, in collusion with crooked BPI and Customs personnel. The stocks are sold at the same high price as before.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag), an umbrella of farmers’ and food makers’ associations, says that’s still the way it’s done. Rosendo So, Sinag president and Abono party-list founder, notes that over-imports of yellow onion arrived from The Netherlands last New ear’s. Acquired at P18 per kilo, it is being sold at P28. Meanwhile, starting ebruary, the bulk buyers hauled off the