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Rodolfo A. Arizala is a lawyer, holder of master´s degree in International Relations, Syracuse University, Syracuse New York, U.S.A.; was a UN/UNITAR Fellow in International Law, The Hague Academy of International Law, The Hague Netherlands, and former Philippine ambassador to Chile. |
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NOSTALGIA
By Rudy Arizala
Santiago, Chile
There were many people waiting at the Office of the "Escribano" of our local "Cura Parroco" in Santiago, a few blocks away from our apartment to have the respective names of their beloved departed be registered for inclusion in a mass to be celebrated on "All Souls Day", the second of November.
After registering the names of my late parents, my-in-laws and a brother-in-law, I walked back home stopping at my favorite "Sidewalk Coffee Shop" called "Di Roma". The Coffee Shop is owned by a former Yugoslavian Consul General, married to a Chilena, who upon his retirement established said Coffee Shop.
The moment I sat down on one of the empty chairs before a small round table, the pretty young waitress of Yugoslav origin, ( I could note it from her physical features - light complexion, brown hair, fine cheekbones with a Roman nose and height taller than the average Chilena), asked with a smile: "Señor, Te con leche y media luna?" ("Mister, do you want a cup of tea with milk and a piece of croissant?").
I nodded my head and looked around while waiting for my cup of tea and "media luna" to be served. The place has the same crowd of people I usually see every day at the sidewalk Caf -- young middle-age businessmen in dark suits talking through their cellphones as they sip leisurely their cup of coffee or tea. The rest were senior citizens dressed in casual wear also enjoying their cup of coffee or tea and either exchanging jokes or news of the day. At this time of the year, we have crispy spring weather &endash;neither too cold nor warm, but just right to wear light Cashmere woolen sweater or jacket.
From a distance, I could see the snowcapped Andes mountain under a cloudless blue sky. It reminded me of our own Sierra Madre Mountain in the Philippines minus the snow on top. The mountain and the clear blue sky made me feel nostalgic.
If I were only in the Philippines, after my cup of tea, I would go immediately to the bus terminal in Sampaloc, Manila, and take a bus bound for Infanta. But I am very far away. It would take me at least 35 hours of flight to go home to Infanta from Santiago, Chile.
The Andes and Sierra Madre mountains reminded me of what my late Uncle "Tata Mando" narrated to me in the 1960´s about "Mang Iskong Magsisibak" ( Mr. Isko, the woodchopper of the the town). Mang Isko was the town´s woodchopper and water carrier -- our source of household fuel and water in those days when we were still children. Although we have no blood relation with him, we consider him as a member of the family. Hereunder is the story as narrated to me by my uncle "Tata Mando", who was Infanta´s town doctor and played the role of a "good Samaritan" on Mang Isko when the latter was already old and jobless.
Mang Isko developed cancer of the mouth due to his fondness of chewing "mama" (mixture of lime, betel nut and Ikmo leaf) and was brought by Tata Mando to the U.S.T. hospital in Manila; placed him in a charity ward for indigent patients and talked to his friend doctor at the hospital that an oral surgery be performed on Mang Isko.
The surgery was successful but Mang Isko had to stay in the hospital for post surgery treatment and observation. After one month, Tata Mando came to Manila and visited Mang Isko. The moment Mang Isko saw Tata Mando, he wept like a child and did not let him go until he agreed to take him back to Infanta.
Mang Isko told Tata Mando: "Amando (He never addressed my uncle "doctor" but simply "Amando", as he used to call him when my uncle was still a child), madadaling mamatay ako rito sa lungkot. Ibalik mo na ako sa Infanta. Mula nang iwanan mo ako rito sa ospital, palagi na lamang nakatitig ako sa bundok at nasasaisip ko na sa kabila ng bundok na yaon, ay naroroon lamang ang Infanta." ("Amando", begged Mang Isko. "Please take me back to Infanta. Otherwise, I will die sooner here. Since you left me here at the hospital, I have been always staring at the blue mountain consoling my homesickness by thinking that only behind the blue mountain is our hometown of Infanta.")
Tata Mando tried to convince Mang Isko to stay some more time at the hospital explaining to him to him that he would be better treated at the hospital and get well immediately. He has nothing to worry about expenses. But Mang Isko pleaded like a child that he be brought home to Infanta. So, right that very day, Tata Mando took Mang Isko back to Infanta.
Mang Isko was happy being back at home in his nipa shack in Brgy. Buboin. He need not wear the hospital supplied one-piece pale blue pajama and eat tasteless or bland hospital foods. He feels more comfortable in his customary "suking" (sleeveless and collarless shirt ) made of light cotton and with his pair of "kaputog" or short pants with a string around the waist (taling de hugot-hugot). And he, of course, savor his daily meal of boiled rice, fish and camote leaves or sometimes "ginat-ang pako."
I fully now understand the intense "nostalgic feeling" of Mang Isko -- the feeling of homesickness upon seeing the blue mountain from afar and his insistence like a child to be brought home to Infanta immediately. That was many years ago and now both Mang Isko and my uncle have joined their Creator.
I was waken from my deep reverie by the sweet voice of the pretty waitress calling my attention that my cup of tea is getting cold.
Like Mang Isko upon seeing the blue mountain, I feel homesick especially when religious feast such as "All Souls Day" draws nearer. For it is not only time for prayers, candle-lighting and visit to the cemetery, but also time for "bonding" among relatives, friends and townmates in Infanta. One would like at times to be amidst familiar surroundings, scent, color, sound and kins.
I do not know how "All Souls Day" is celebrated these days in Infanta, having been away for many years since I joined the foreign service and then retired abroad.
Nothing is left except memories, nostalgia and dreams. But on "All Souls Day," in addition to the honor and memory of my beloved parents, I will also utter a prayer in memory of my late Tata Mando and Mang Isko.
LEYTE LANDING
By Rodolfo A. Arizala
Santiago, Chile
Posted Sept. 20, 2004
Half a century and a decade ago, Gen. Douglas MacArthur fulfilled his pledge to the Filipino people when he, with American "liberation forces," accompanied by Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña, Sr. and Carlos P. Romulo, landed on the beach of Leyte. on 20 October 1944.
Shortly after "beachhead" or landing Gen. MacArthur, amidst the whirring of Japanese snipers bullets overhead, announced over a handheld megaphone:
"People of the Philippines: I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil &endash; soil consecrated in the blood of our two peoples. . At my side is your President, Sergio Osmeña, a worthy successor of that great patriot, Manuel Quezon.... The seat of your government is now, therefore, firmly reestablished on Philippine soil. The hour of your redemption is here. . . Rally to me. Let the indomitable spirit of Bataan and Corregidor lead on. . . . The guidance of Divine God points the way. Follow in His name to the Holy Grail of righteous victory."
The landing of U.S. troops supported by Filipino guerrillas on land was a success. It was the "golden hour" of Fil-American cooperation and friendly relations.
Aside from the successful landing in Leyte was the famous "Battle of Leyte Gulf" between the U.S. and Japanese Naval Forces which caught the attention of the world. The Japanese, in order to retake Leyte where Gen MacArthur landed his troops, thought of a plan called "Sho Operation." Under said ´plan Admiral Soemu Toyoda, to destroy the American fleet under Admiral Halsey, sent three naval forces to converge on Leyte Gulf: the Northern Force under Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa coming from Japan down to the eastern coast of Luzon, and on to Leyte Gulf; the Central Force under Admiral Takeo Kurita; to steam through San Bernardino Strait and on to Leyte Gulf; and the Southern Force, divided into two groups, one under Vice Admiral Nishima and the other under Admiral Shima, coming from Singapore to reach Leyte Gulf through the Surigao Strait.
Admiral Ozawa´s fleet steaming from Japan was used as a "decoy" to lure away Admiral William F. Halsey´s Fleet , (Task Force 34), from San Bernardino Strait. And Admiral Halsey took the bait by pursuing Ozawa´s fleet up North not knowing that the remaining U.S. ships were left practically exposed to the coming superior Japanese Southern and Central Naval Forces.
Luckily, the Japanese Southern Force was spotted by U.S. submarines which sunk two destroyers of the Japanese Southern Force and alerted the U.S. naval force. Admiral Olendorf engaged the Japanese Southern Force into battle at Surigao Strait and the Japanese fleet was almost all wiped out. Meanwhile, the Central Force under Admiral Kurita was steaming through San Bernardino Strait toward Leyte Gulf. The frantic calls of U.S. Admiral Kinkaid for Admiral Halsey´s fleet to return immediately to Leyte Gulf reached Halsey and he sent posthaste his eight fastest battleships to San Bernardino Strait. Admiral Kurita could have proceeded to Leyte Gulf without difficulty and attack the almost defenseless U.S. Naval forces off Leyte Gulf. But Kurita decided to steam away thinking that the main bulk of Halsey´s fleet have arrived in the area. That saved the day for the American naval forces in Leyte Gulf.
The cunning and deceptions used in the Naval Battle of Leyte Gulf was reminiscent of a "Lord High Admiral" in the Mediterranean named "Barbarossa", a former ruthless pirate appointed by Sultan Suleiman, "The Magnificent", as Chief of the Royal Navy during the Ottoman Empire. Barbarossa through cunning and deception raided the coasts of Africa and Europe &endash; Italy, Spain, Sardinia and even the Adriatic coast. He practically ruled the Mediterranean Sea.
The landing of the U.S. forces on Leyte beach in October 1944, was the "Golden Era" of Philippine-American Relations, while the "Battle of Leyte Gulf" was considered the "last great battleship engagement in history" wherein a total of 285 warships participated. In said battle the U.S. lost 1 light cruiser, 2 escort carriers, 3 destroyers, and around 2,000 sailors. The Japanese lost 4 carriers, 3 battleships, 6 heavy cruisers, 3 light cruisers, 8 destroyers, and several thousands soldiers more than what the Americans lost.
I was then a young lad of fifteen years old when I first heard those stirring and inspiring words of Gen. Douglas MacArthur upon landing at Leyte Beach which steeled and inspired the hearts of the Filipino people to rally behind the flag of democracy and liberty in pursuit of "the Holy Grail of righteous victory".
I am now in the twilight of my years. And I wonder if in the twilight years of my contemporaries and at the dawn of the new generation of Filipinos, those stirring words of MacArthur uttered sixty years ago today amidst the thunder of bombs and gunfires, have now lost in time of peace, after victory has been achieved, their validity and meaning and faded away with the passing of years.
Today, we even hear disturbing voices saying that the once "right arm" of America in Southeast Asia is now the "weakest link" in the chain of liberty in this part of the world.
As we commemorate today the "Landing at Leyte" of the forces of liberty, let us pose and ponder over those words which have guided us to victory and achieved our peace and redemption.
MIF and Diaspora
By Rudy A. Arizala
Santiago, Chile
Posted: Sept. 10, 2004
Introduction
The Philippines provides about 35% of the world´s requirement for
the skill-hungry economies. The Filipino workers are, therefore, worth
billions of American dollars in foreign aid to developed countries
which availed of Philippine skilled workers. Filipinos, aside from
being hardworking, are committed "to God and to democracy."
Since the "diaspora" (dispersal) of Filipino workers to various parts of the world, the little town of Infanta nestled at the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains at the Eastern part of Luzon along the Pacifica Coast, has contributed and still contributing workers abroad. According to latest statistics the total number of Filipino workers abroad now number between 7 and 8 million.
Infanta Today
The Infanta of today is different from the Infanta of yesterday. The
changing panorama and lifestyle from rural tropical sleepy town of
mostly bamboo and nipa huts; dusty brown pathways during hot summer
months and muddy clay-dark pathways during the wet season; groups of
idle, jobless men hanging around at street corners and barbershops are
now replaced by busy humdrum of economic and social activities.
Infanta today is now an urbanized busy town with asphalt and concrete streets; bright electric lights from street lamp posts; a two-story concrete public market; roofed open-air basketball court cum meeting hall; two radio stations; modern plaza, municipal building cathedral; a college, as well as high school and elementary education buildings. They are indications of social, economic and cultural progress.
Factors of Change
The factors of change are the "diaspora" of Filipino workers abroad;
the electrification of the town and its barangays; the construction of
barangay roads connecting even far-flung areas to the town proper; the
widening and asphalting of the Infanta-Famy road across the Sierra
Madre mountains and the construction of a concrete bridge across the
Agus River which connects Infanta to a nearby town of Gen. Nakar.
Together with these improvements of the means of communications and
transport is the modernization of farming and fishing methods as well
as awareness of ecological balance and protection of the environment.
With respect to the "diaspora" of many inhabitants from Infanta, it played and is still playing a great role in the right kind of development for the town and its people.
Many "Infantahins" (natives or people from Infanta), as early as the 1970´s have joined the millions of other Filipinos who left their homes in the Philippines in search of "greener pastures" abroad armed simply with faith, courage and determination to use whatever skills they possess. And because of strong family ties, love and care for their families and friends, they send religiously money or funds (remittances) from their earnings abroad to their families and relatives left behind in Infanta.
Their priority is the education of their children. They firmly believe in "investment in education." Thus, many children or youth of Infanta were able to go to school from elementary grades to high school and even up to college or university level.
Next to education, they invest their hard-earned money in small business; improvements of their farming and fishing methods; in local industries; and improvement of their homes. Now, almost every home in Infanta has running water, sanitary toilets and other amenities in life leading to improved diet and health care.
Due to the remittances of Infanta´s OFW´s living or working abroad, aside from the above improvement in lifestyles and education, banking institutions flourished in Infanta. And because of the banking system, credit facilities improved and so also business grow and thrive beyond the expectation of the people.
Through the experiences and contacts with the outside world of the OFW´s, they imbibed new culture and practices which are essential in the maintenance and protection of natural resources and environment of their hometown. And because of the material wealth and cultural development learned from abroad and applied to their hometown, Infanta continues to progress in the right direction.
Of course aside from remittances and new improved ideas of living, OFW´s from Infanta decided in 1996, to organize the Metro Infanta Foundation (MIF, for short) the main objective of which is "to promote unity and solidarity through educating its members and providing forum of discussions, and identifying and addressing issues and concerns in their native homeland, especially in the Metro Infanta area." Through the MIF, they give generous donations to charities to help improve the life of their less fortunate "kababayans" left behind. For example by giving assistance in the reconstruction of chapels, churches, schools; and providing supply of potable water to school children and health facilities. Those in the medical / nursing professions abroad, send to Infanta periodic "Medical Missions"
Since its establishment, the Metro Infanta Foundation has collected more than US $161,000 in donations and has distributed more that US $125,000 in grants. In addition, the Foundation has facilitated another US $125,000 in grants from various funding sources. In 2003 alone, the MIF distributed US $14,932.50 in grants to education, humanitarian and religious causes.
And last but not the least, being aware that good governance need funds for the implementation of economic and social progress, they are aware that paying taxes willingly and promptly is part of improving the lot and general welfare of the people.
Conclusion
These material progress are accompanied by the religiosity of the
people including the OFW´s wherever they may be. They keep and
maintain their religious faith and practices as a way of life. Thus,
their progress is deeply rooted in moral values. And most important of
all, in Love of God and of their fellow-beings, a commitment "to God
and to democracy". That despite their being away or having abandoned
their hometown in search of "greener pastures", they still keep their
ties with their place of birth.
According to Mr. Thomas L. Friedman, a Pulitzer Prize awardee and foreign affairs columnist for The New York Times, in his book The Lexus and the Olive Tree: "The challenge in the era of globalization. . . is to find a healthy balance between preserving a sense of identity, home and community and doing what it takes to survive within the globalization system."
Globalization, due to the speed of modern means of communications and transport, tend to eliminate all cultural and natural barriers including territorial boundaries. And, therefore, the self-identity of a people. But the expatriates from Infanta are able to preserve their sense of identity with their country of origin or hometown and at the same time find a "healthy balance" with globalization, because wherever they may be, they take along with them although not necessarily Mr. Friedman´s "Olive Tree" but their "Bamboo Tree," the tree of life of Filipinos.
Violence must end
By Rodolfo A. Arizala
This morning, 03 September 2004, through the media &endash;radio and television, we witnessed the human drama which unfolded in a school building in Beslan, Southern Russia (Northern Ossetia). More than 500 (some say around 1,200) school children, parents and teachers were held hostage by a group of "terrorists" demanding a separate and independent Chechnya Republic from Russia. The Russian security forces reportedly stormed the place to rescue the hostages. The terrorists exploded bombs inside the school gym and 150 mosly school children were reported dead and 400 children and adults were wounded or injured.
The question which come to mind of those around the world who saw the tragic scene via television is what could be a better alternative solution to such problem of violence or terrorism.
From a Biblical and historical point of view Jesus Christ showed us love and peace instead of hatred and violence.. His message has always been "PEACE". It may be recalled that when He was arrested by armed men of the Scribes and Parishes one of his disciples unsheathed his sword and struck one of the arresting armed men cutting off the ear, Jesus calmly admonished his disciple: "Put back thy sword into its place; for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword." (Matthew 26:52).
Jesus, by submitting Himself to his Passion and Death, manifested a firm belief in non-violence.
Our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal in his writings advocated also non-violence. He even cautioned Bonifacio and other revolutionary leaders that he was against violence. Rizal in his Manifesto to the Filipino people wrote: "From the very start, when I learned what was being planned, I opposed it, and I proved its absolute impossibility. . . I was convinced that the idea of a revolution was highly absurd, and what is worse perverse. . ."
In his second book El Filibusterismo, (The Reign of Greed), it may be recalled that one of its characters, (Isagani), placed a time bomb inside a kerosene lamp at the wedding party of his former sweetheart Paulita. Isagani had a change of mind the last minute. He dreaded the thought that the house was going to blow up and Paulita was there and going to die a horrible death. So, as the bomb was about to explode, Isagani rushed back to the house; grabbed the lamp containing the bomb; and thew it into the Pasig river. This show that Rizal was opposed to violent means in attaining one´s objective no matter how justified or valid it might be.
Another great man, Mahatma Gandhi of India, led the struggle for the independence of his country through non-violent means or what is called "Satyagraha". He and his followers allowed themselves to be struck or beaten by the charging British security forces during India´s struggle for independence. They did not resist arrests. The result of such non-violent means employed by the Mahatma and his followers is history.
These three personalities in the history of mankind come to mind as I watched this morning the unfolding drama of violence in a northern city in Russia. Terrorism or violence in whatever form is reprehensible. In a revolution or war, the ones who suffered most and common victims are mostly innocent children, women and non-combatants. Peace and non-violence must reign supreme in the hearts and minds of mankind.
Sept. 4, 2004
Philippine National Anthem
How the Philippines Became an Archipelago
By Rodolfo A. Arizala
Santiago, Chile
Those who have read Philippine history will remember that Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, in preparation for the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on 12 June 1898, commissioned Julian Felipe to prepare a musical composition which would be played during the independence ceremonies. A few days later, Julian Felipe presented to Aguinaldo the draft of his musical composition entitled: "Marcha Filipina Magdalo."
Gen. Aguinaldo and his revolutionary leaders heard immediately the musical composition as played by Felipe himself on the piano. Aguinaldo and the other revolutionary leaders were happy about the composition and was adopted as the "Official March" of the Philippines. Composer Felipe subsequently changed the title from "Marcha Filipina Magdalo" to "Marcha Nacional Filipina". A year later the Spanish lyrics for the musical composition were written by Jose Palma, a nationalist and Filipino poet in the staff of La Independencia newspaper. The opening lyrics reads as follows: "Tierra Adorada, / Hija del sol Oriente." (Beloved land, / Child of the Eastern sun."). Camilo Osias in 1920 translated the Palma Spanish lyrics to English as "Land of the morning, / Child of the sun returning."
It is clear that Jose Palma who was a poet considered the Philippines as "child of the sun". Probably, like any other poets of his era, he must have read Latin poets such as Ovid who wrote poems on mythology during the reign of Augustus, especially the story about Phaeton.
According to this story Phaeton was the son of the Sun god and of a mortal mother named Chymene. One day he went to the palace of the Sun to confirm whether he was really the child of the Sun. Phaeton when received at the Palace of the Sun said: "I have come to find out if you are my father or not. My mother said you were, but the boys at school laugh when I tell them I am your son. They will not believe me. I told my mother and she said I had better go and ask you."
Smiling, the Sun took off his crown of burning light so that the lad could look at him without distress. "Come here, Phaeton," he said, "You are my son. Clymene told you the truth. I expect you will not doubt my word too? But I will give you a proof. Ask anything you want of me and you shall have it. I call the Styx to be witness to my promise, the river of the oath of the gods."
To make the story short, Phaeton, as proof of his paternity, asked his father, the Sun, to allow him ride his father´s golden chariot pulled by steeds at least for a day across the sky. But his father, the Sun would not let him saying it was too dangerous. That no other riders, except himself, could manage the horses and the golden chariot across the sky. But Phaeton insisted and his father could not do anything but allow his son to ride his golden chariot because he made such promise under oath. And he did not like to break his oath.
The moment Phaeton rode on the golden chariot and took hold of the golden reins, the horses soared from the east up to the very top of the sky and then, plunging headlong down set the world on fire. Mother earth could bear no more the raging fire caused by the falling chariot and uttered a great cry which reached up to the gods. Looking down from Olympus, the gods saw that they must act quickly if the world was to be saved. Jove, one of the gods at Olympus, seized his thunderbolt and hurled it at the rash, repentant driver Phaeton. It struck him dead, shattered the chariot, and made the maddened horses rush down into the sea.
If we want to convert the above story of Ovid about Phaeton into a Pinoy mythology, we could say or write that when Phaeton´s body was shattered to pieces hit by the thunderbolt of Jove and dropped into the deep blue sea, they became several islands and islets now called "The Philippine Archipelago."
Thus, as written in the lyrics of Jose Palma, our beloved Philippines was Phaeton the "child of the sun" (Tierra Adorada, / Hija del sol Oriente).
PHILIPPINE FLAG
AND PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Compiled by Rodolfo A. Arizala
Santiago, Chile
On the 106th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, 12 June 2004, it is relevant to recall the following developments in 1898:
1. The flag that Gen Emilio Aguinaldo personally brought from Hong Kong to the Philippines was unfurled for the first time on 28 May 1898 to commemorate the victory of the Filipino forces over the Spanish Marine Corps in the "Battle of Alapan". This was followed in the hoisting of the Philippine flag when the Filipino forces also defeated the Spanish forces in the "Battle of Polvorin", Binakayan, Kawit in Cavite on 31 May 1898.
2. Gen Aguinaldo in his Memoires wrote that on 1 June 1898, the Philippine flags were hoisted at the masts of Philippine naval ships. In his words:
"In accordance with the instructions I gave on June 1st, all the Philippine vessels hoisted the national flag. . . Ah! What a beautiful and joyful spectacle that the flag floated in the breeze at the height of the big masts of our vessels, side by side in same way, with the colors of the bigger nations, where the powerful battleships allowed our small cruisers draped with the emblem of Liberty and Independence to pass!"
What was the reaction of U.S. Admiral Dewey on such Filipino navy flying the Philippine flag along with the battleships of the big powers on Manila Bay?
The following is the account of Aguinaldo on the subject in his Memoires:
"At the end of June, I went to see Admiral Dewey who after having complimented me for the rapid victories of the Philippine revolution, told me that the German and French Admirals asked why he allowed the Filipinos to fly over their vessels a flag that was not recognized. Admiral Dewey, told me that it was with his knowledge and consent that the Filipinos were using this flag, and besides, he believed that the courage and firmness that they have shown in the war against Spain gave the Filipinos the right to have this flag."
In this connection, it may be of interest to readers to know what the Aguinaldo Navy consisted of at that time. It consisted of eight small Spanish steamers captured by the Aguinaldo forces; five bigger vessels such as the Taaleno, the Balayan, the Taal, the Bulacan, and the Purisima Concepcion. In addition to these vessels, three vessels were offered by native Filipinos to the Aguinaldo forces which were equipped with 8 to 9 centimeter cannons taken from the Spanish naval vessels that were sunk.
3. The Philippine flag was again hoisted or "unfurled" on 12 June 1898 during the Proclamation of Philippine Independence read by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista.
4. Originally, 98 persons signed the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, including an American Col. L.M. Johnson of the U.S. Artillery Corps. Admiral Dewey was invited to attend the inaugural ceremonies of Philippine Independence but Dewey excused himself saying that on that date was "mail day" and he could not leave the ship.
5. It is interesting to note that Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo did not sign the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. Why?
Some historians opined "perhaps out of delicadeza because he was the Generalissimo of the armed forces, or perhaps he wanted to show that the document was drawn up without any pressure on his part." (Carlos Quirino, "From Pugad Lawin to Kawit".)
6. How was the Proclamation of Independence on 12 June 1898 celebrated? Hereunder is an account by one who witnessed said historic occasion:
"It was a Sunday, June 12, between four and five o´ clock in the afternoon when Aguinaldo, 29, dictator and generalissimo, instructed the venerable Rianzares Bautista, 68, to read his own Acta de la proclamation de independencia del pueblo Filipino before a throng of 5,000 to 6,000 that had gathered in the principal street and under the giant trees in front of the Aguinaldo mansion in Cavite el Viejo. The people had come from far and near, including delegations from the liberated provinces of Laguna, Batangas, Tayabas, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, and Pangasinan, besides all the towns of Cavite province itself and the suburbs of Manila, already under siege by the rebels.
"A festive air hung over the town of Cavite el Viejo that Sunday. Brass bands were serenading the town hall and the convent &endash; both occupied by Filipino troops. Rockets and versos (mortars with blank charges) were exploding with increasing frequency. The main street was beginning to fill up with people, mostly women and children. For nearly every male adult in the town was in uniform . . . guarding headquarters, manning trenches, or being helpful to arriving dignitaries. In his gabled house on the main street General Aguinaldo was receiving field commanders amid the triumph of Filipino arms in nearly every sector of Central Luzon and the Southern Tagalog provinces."
(E. Aguilar Cruz, "Inauguration 1898." In June 12, 1975 souvenir program entitled: "12 June 1898. The Philippines: Asia´s First Democratic Republic,"p.5.)
"Immediately after the reading of the proclamation Aguinaldo detached himself from the dignitaries and stepped forward, right at the very center of the middle window, and was greeted with deafening shouts of ´Mabuhay si Heneral Aguinaldo! Mabuhay ang Kalayaan ng Pilipinas!" (Alfredo B. Saulo, "Emilio Aguinaldo Generalissimo and President of the First Philippine Republic", Phoenix Press, Inc., Quezon City, 1983.)
7. From 1946 to 1962, we celebrated our Independence day on July 4 because it was on July 4, 1946 that the United States granted us our independence. However, in 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal proclaimed 12 June as Philippine Independence Day. And on 4 August 1964, President Macapagal signed Republic Act No. 4166 declaring June 12 as Philippine Independence Day.
According to Pres Diosdado Macapagal: "A nation is born into freedom on the day when such a people, molded into a nation by a process of cultural evolution and sense of oneness born of common struggle and suffering, announces to the world that it asserts its natural right to liberty and is ready to defend it with blood, life and honor."
The Month of June
By Rudy A. Arizala
Santiago, Chile
The month of June is generally associated with wedding bells, when most people in love get married. So we often hear people say that the dream of many unmarried women is to be a "June bride."
But from a historical point of view, June is the 6th month of the Gregorian calendar and formerly the 4th month of the Roman calendar. Some say it is named in honor of Juno, the sister and wife of the Chief God, Jupiter. June is also known for flower festivals throughout the world. The special flower of June is the sweet-smelling rose. Its birthstones are the moonstone, the pearl and the alexandrite. Others claim June came from the term for the lower Chamber of the Roman Senate "Juniones". Still others say it was name given in honor of Junius Brutus who liberated the Romans from the Etruscan invaders in 510 B.C.
Whatever is the significance or meaning of June, the fact is, during the month of June many significant events happened. On the national level, it was on 3 June 1571 when a Muslim chieftain, Rajah Soliman, led the "Battle of Bangkusay" in Tondo against the Spanish forces. On 5 June 1898, Julian Felipe composed the "Marcha Nacional Filipina" which became our national anthem and played for the first time on 12 June 1898 in Cavite Viejo (now Kawit, Cavite) when Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed our Independence.
And of course, on 19 June 1861, our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the acknowledged prime mover of our fight for freedom, was born in Calamba, Laguna. His birth was not heralded by a star, nor was it marked by any seismic phenomenon, yet Rizal played a significant role in the emancipation of our nation. Consequently, the eminent Spanish philosopher-writer Unamuno considered Rizal "the Tagalog Christ."
Spanish biographer Dr. Jose Baron-Fernandez, wrote that if there was any supernatural happening that accompanied the birth of Rizal, "it must have been the intervention of the Virgin of Antipolo", because when Rizal´s mother Teodora Realonda was undergoing difficult labor, she promised to make a pilgrimage to Antipolo should her delivery prove successful
On the local level (Metro Infanta) there were also many significant events which happened in June. For example, on 5 June 1947, Infanta was raised to the level of a "Carmelite Residence," which in later years became the "Carmelite Prelature of Infanta." On 10 June 1947, an American young man from Philadelphia was ordained as a Carmelite priest. Subsequently, he was assigned in Infanta, Burdeos and Baler. Radio station DZJO became "Bayanihan Broadcasting Corporation on 18 June 1969. Since then, it remained up to the present as effective vehicle for mass communication and pastoral programs of the Carmelites in Northeastern Luzon.
On 21 June 1949, General Nakar, which was formerly a barrio or barangay of Infanta, Quezon, was founded as a town. Another former barrio or barangay of Infanta, called Real, became a "full-pledged" municipality on 22 June 1963, under Republic Act No. 3754.
And last but not the least, on 27 June 2002, a book about the history, tradition and cultural heritage of Infanta entitled: "Labong ng Kawayan", was launched at the Community Center, Mt. Carmel Shrine Parish, New Manila, Quezon City under the auspices of the Metro Infanta Foundation and the Socio-Pastoral Institute.
Speaking of the Metro Infanta Foundation, incidentally, last 11 May 2004, was its 8th anniversary foundation day. Unfortunately, such significant event passed away unnoticed.
This month of June, let us recall significant events which happened in our beloved country on the national as well as on the local level. Let us offer a prayer that the "Carmelian Spirit" of total dedication to the Lord, love, unity with the Holy Spirit, abiding faith, self-abnegation and service to God´s people especially the poor, exemplified by the Virgin Mother, be our guiding star. The very same Virgin Mother to whom the mother of Rizal prayed and promised to make a pilgrimage to Antipolo when she was undergoing difficult labor in connection with the birth of her son on 19 June 1861. Antipolo at that time was a small village on top of a mountain some 25 kms. east of Manila.
Apparently, the Virgin Mary heard the prayers of Rizal´s mother. For Rizal was born and grew up into manhood serving his country and people up to the last breath of his life.
Let us consider June not only the month of flower festivals; of wedding bells; when Philippine Independence was proclaimed; when our national hero Jose Rizal was born; but also when the "Carmelian Spirit" was born and continue to flourish in the Prelature of Infanta. The "Carmelian Spirit" is very much alive not only in Infanta but also abroad through the Metro Infanta Foundation and its members wherever they may be.
Memories of War
By Rudy A. Arizala
Santiago, Chile
I. Introduction
In the Philippines, April is not only when Lent &endash; the
passion, death and resurrection of Christ is observed, but also when
the "Fall of Bataan" is solemnly commemorated as act of heroism or
martyrdom. The last "Voice of Freedom" in April 1942, was heard
announcing in a radio broadcast: "Bataan as fallen, but the spirit that
made it stand -- a beacon to all the liberty-loving peoples of the
world cannot fail."
With that terse announcement, Bataan surrendered on 9 April 1942 to the Japanese forces, followed by the island fortress of Corregidor a month later on 6 May. Bataan and Corregidor having surrendered, the unconditional surrender of the Fil-American forces in the Visayas and Mindanao was not long in coming. They also surrendered to the Japanese forces four days later, on 10 May 1942.
II. The War Years
I was in the grade school when war (WW II) broke out in the Pacific in
December 1941. When our teacher in Grade V announced that there would
be no classes that December 8th morning until further notice, we were
all very happy because we could enjoy an early Christmas vacation and
hoping to see each other again after the New Year -- in January 1942.
At the same time we were worried because the war which we read or heard
happening in Europe has finally come to our shores also. But we
believed then that the war would be over very soon.
But we were wrong. Several days later when two Japanese planes dropped bombs on our hometown of Infanta and several black ships were sighted off Lamon Bay along the Pacific coasts, the people had to evacuate for safety to the barrios. The Japanese forces, however, did not land in our town but in Mauban, a town south of Infanta. In January 1942, Manila was declared an "Open City" and soon was occupied by the Japanese Imperial Forces. The Fil-American forces retreated to make their last stand in Bataan and Corregidor.
I remember Infanta had its share of suffering and martyrdom during that episode in our history. When the Pacific War broke out in the Pacific, the only son of our "water-carrier" was drafted into the Philippine Army and fought side-by-side with the American soldiers in Bataan. He failed to return home because he was killed during a Japanese attack before the surrender of the Fil-American forces. An uncle of mine who was a musician was also drafted into the Philippine Army; was captured by the Japanese; participated in the "Death March"; and brought to a Concentration Camp in Capas, Tarlac. When he became sick of malaria and dysentery, he was allowed to go home. It took his parents more than one year to nurse him back to health. Another uncle who was a young medical doctor and newly married when the war broke out volunteered to serve in the Philippine Army and was subsequently incorporated into the USAFFE. He was taken prisoner while serving in Mindanao As he was getting off from an army truck which brought him and his companions to a Concentration Camp, a Japanese officer noticed a stethoscope in his back pocket. He was told to treat a Japanese General who was seriously sick of malaria. He had to use a drug or medicine which was then still at experimental stage and might prove fatal and cause death if not administered properly. Luckily, the Japanese General got well. Because of that feat, my uncle was released by the Japanese and allowed to go home. He was even given a "safety pass" written and signed by the Japanese General himself out of gratitude to my uncle for being able to cure him.
This was an example of the human side of war despite its brutality, violence and inhuman aspect. An example of inhuman aspect of war was the humiliating treatment received by Generals King and Wainwright when they surrendered to the Japanese forces in Bataan and Corregidor and by the Fil-American soldiers while they were being brought to their Concentration Camp. Weak, sickly and hungry, they were made to march under the heat of the noonday sun. Those who were too weak to continue walking were bayoneted to death on the spot. This was called the "Death March.".
III. Little Known Episodes of Surrender
Perhaps, little is known that although the Fil-American Forces in
Bataan and Corregidor surrendered as early as April 9 and May 6, 1942,
respectively, the American and Filipino soldiers were not considered
"prisoners of war", but as "captives" or hostages by the Imperial
Japanese Forces in the Philippines. It was only on 9 June 1942, when
all forces in the Philippines, with the exception of certain small
detachments in isolated areas, had surrendered that General Jonathan
Wainwright was notified by Japanese authorities: "You are now a
prisoner of war."
Why were Gen. Wainwright and his men not considered immediately "prisoners of war"? And as a corollary to said question, Why and how the U.S. military leaders in the Philippines surrendered to the Japanese Forces in 1942?
According to U.S. Army historians such as Louis Morton, in the evening of 8 April 1942, when Gen Wainwright ordered General Edward P. King, Jr., to make counterattack in the direction of Olongapo, the latter already made up his mind. He had no alternative but to surrender King believed that "by this time all chances of halting the Japanese advance, much less launching a successful counterattack, was gone." So, he made arrangements that he meet with the representative of Gen Masaharu Homma to negotiate a ceasefire and protect the welfare and interests of his men.
When Gen. King finally met Col. Motoo Nakayama, the representative of Gen. Homma, Nakayama asked him: "You are General Wainwright?" When King replied in the negative, Nakayama asked why Gen. Wainwright had not come. King explained to Nakayama that he did not speak for the Commander of all forces in the Philippines but for his own command alone. Nakayama insisted that Gen. Wainwright should be present and that the only basis on which he would consider negotiations for the cessation of hostilities was one which included the surrender of all forces in the Philippines.
Col. Nakayama asked for Gen King´s saber but when told that he had none, he agreed to accept a pistol from Gen. King instead of a saber as symbol of surrender. Gen. King thought that Nakayama was accepting his "unconditional surrender" as a unit under his command. However, in so far as Nakayama was concerned, cessation of hostilities should include the surrender of all forces in the Philippines.
If Gen. King´s surrender of his forces in Bataan on 9 April 1942 was confusing or not clear, so also was the surrender of Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright on the island of Corregidor on 6 May 1942. Like Gen King who surrendered Bataan four weeks earlier, Gen. Wainwright had made estimate of the situation and concluded there was nothing to be gained by further resistance. Thus, he ordered his aide, Gen. Beebe, to broadcast a surrender message to Gen. Homma and at the same time Wainwright communicated his decision to Pres. Roosevelt and Gen. MacArthur.
U.S. Army historian Louis Morton further narrated that Gen. Wainwright prior to his meeting with the Japanese officials decided to release command of all troops except those in harbor defense. By such act, he hoped to persuade Gen. Homma to accept the view that since the troops in Southern Philippines (Visayas and Mindanao) were not under his command, he could not properly be held responsible for their surrender. However, such position of Wainwright was not acceptable to Gen. Homma. He told Gen. Wainwright that the surrender would not be accepted unless it included all American and Philippine troops in the Philippines. Wainwright demurred saying that the forces in the Visayas and Mindanao were no longer under his command.
Homma upon hearing this, rose, looked at Wainwright and said: "At the time of General King´s surrender in Bataan I did not see him. Neither have I any reason to see you if you are only the commander of a unit. . . I wish only to negotiate with my equal. . "
Wainwright had no alternative and agreed to surrender the entire Philippine garrison. But Gen. Homma now refused to accept Wainwright´s offer to surrender. "You have denied your authority . . " he told Wainwright. "I advise you to return to Corregidor and think the matter over. If you see fit to surrender, then surrender to the Commanding Officer of the division in Corregidor. He in turn will bring you to me in Manila." With these words, Homma left the meeting. Gen. Wainwright upon his return to Corregidor island surrendered to Col. Sato, the Japanese Commander of the 61st Infantry in Corregidor. He agreed to surrender all forces in the Philippines including those in the Visayas and in Mindanao under Gen. Sharp. Thus, with such developments, Gen. Sharp upon receiving Gen. Wainwright´s emissary and letter, surrendered also to the Japanese commanders in the South on 10 May 1942.
IV. Conclusion
Despite the surrender of the main U.S. and Filipino forces and
humiliating treatment received by Generals Wainwright and King in the
hands of the Japanese, there were those who would rather "face a
thousand death than surrender." Among them was my townmate Col.
Guillermo Nakar who was then Commander of the 14th Infantry (PA) in
Northern Luzon. He and his men. refused to surrender but conducted
guerilla warfare against the Japanese forces after the Fall of Bataan
and Corregidor. Unfortunately, Col. Nakar was captured by the Japanese
on 29 September 1942 and executed the following day. Other guerilla
forces continued their resistance against the Japanese forces in the
Philippines until the return of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and his men to
the Philippines in 1944. After the dropping of two atomic bombs
&endash; one in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and the other in
Nagasaki on August 9, Japan announced to surrender unconditionally to
the Allied Powers on August 14,1945, thus, ending the war in the
Pacific. The formal act of surrender was made on September 2, 1945.
As we observe the martyrdom of the gallant defenders of the Philippines on 9 April this year at "Dambana ng Kagitingan" in Mt. Samat, Bataan, let us pose and pray for all the victims of war &endash; the vanquished and the victors; and not forget to give full meaning and effect to the noble objectives enshrined in the United Nations Charter: "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war"; promote "respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms"; enhance "social progress and better standards of life," and "self-determination of people."
As a young boy, I suffered with my brother, sisters and parents the "scourge of war". Despite the hardships, privations, hunger, and death it taught me that memories of war should not be an occasion for despair, revenge and bitterness but of hope, love, peace and resurrection like Easter.
Church Bells of Infanta
By Rodolfo A. Arizala*
Santiago, Chile
In December 1941 prior to World War II when I was still in the grade school in Infanta, province of Tayabas (now called "Quezon" province), we had a church made of wood and galvanized iron roof and a bell tower also made of the same materials. Atop the bell tower were the old church bells of Infanta. Inscribed on the side of the bells was the date they were minted in the 17th century when Christianity was first introduced in Infanta. According to the history of Infanta then called "Binangonan del Ampon", the first Catholic priest who arrived in 1578 at the place was Rev. Fr. Esteban Ortiz, OPM, a Spanish missionary who planted a wooden cross. Then in 1696, a chapel was constructed and in 1736 a stone church with a bell tower was built. This was, however, destroyed by strong typhoon. Despite the destruction caused to our town by strong typhoons and earthquakes as well as by the war, the bells of Infanta were preserved and remained undamaged.
The church bells of Infanta were the pride of our town prior to the outbreak of the war. There were four of them. The first was the "campana mayor" (the biggest one); then the second largest; and finally, the two smaller ones. The sound of these bells was considered fatherly voice speaking for the whole town folks. They ring to express the collective feeling of the community in sadness or in joy, in prayer or in celebration. They ring merrily to bring glad tidings of town weddings, baptisms, processions, fiestas, or to announce emergency such as in case of fire or if strong typhoon is coming to our town. They toll with mournful sound when one of the town folks has died and being laid to rest; or when a disaster has visited the town. When we were kids, I fondly remember the church bells peal merrily during "Sabado de Gloria" or "Pasko ng Pagkabuhay" and we children jumped as high as we could with joy.
Aside from announcing glad tidings and sorrows, the church bells of Infanta served as time for doing the daily chores of the people. Most people then in our town did not have individual time pieces or clocks. So, the old church bells of Infanta wake up the people in the morning, reminding them of the early morning mass at 6:00 a.m. They also ring at noonday hour of rest (12:00 noon), at 6:00 p.m. to announce the "Angelus" and at 8:00 p.m. when people had to say their night prayers before going to bed.
In short, the church bells of Infanta served as the "time keeper" of the whole community reminding them not only what time of the day or night but also of their daily chores. Hereunder were the schedules of the ringing of the bells of Infanta:
6:00 a.m. Time to wake up and go to church
10:00 a.m. Time to cook lunch.
12:00 noon Time for lunch and rest.
2:00 p.m. Time to resume chores or work
4:00 p.m. Time to cook dinner or supper.
6:00 p.m. Time for "Angelus" and supper.
8:00 p.m. Time to pray and go to bed.
I remember during my youth, it was an old man called "Mang Ago" (Santiago) who dutifully rings the bells of Infanta every day and night as scheduled above. This is aside from ringing the church bells during mass, weddings, baptisms, fiestas, processions and emergencies. The only time the bells of Infanta do not ring is during Good Friday. And they resume ringing on "Sabado de Gloria" (now moved to Easter Sunday).
How did Mang Ago manage to ring the four bells of Infanta at the same time when he has only two hands? He used adroitly his two hands and feet. His two hands ring the two big bells alternately while his right foot step rhythmically up and down on a rope tied to the two smaller bells. When Mang Ago rings the bells loudly with rapid rhythmic strokes with his hands and foot to express joy or glad tidings, he look like a ballet dancer because of the movements of his body, hands and feet. But when he rings the bells with slow, regular strokes to express sadness, he look like a slow motion actor performing a pantomime. When Mang Ago died, nobody rings anymore the bells of Infanta religiously and adroitly as he.
The bells of Infanta could be heard by the people within three kilometers radius away from the churchyard. To me, the bells of Infanta have the most beautiful, melodious sound in the world. They remind me of what a poet (Cowper) wrote in "The Task": "How soft the music of those village bells, / Falling at intervals upon the ear / In cadence sweet, now dying away, / Now pealing loud again, and louder still, / Clear and sonorous, as the gale comes on / With easy force it opens all the cells / When Mem´ry slept."
Although I do not hear anymore the church bells of Infanta, and what remain are mere memories as described in the poem above, may I greet all of you "A Very Happy Easter!"
MARY OF MAGDALA
Compiled by Rudy A. Arizala
Santiago, Chile
The book Gospel of Mary of Magdala by Karen L. King given me as a gift by a former secretary of mine at the Philippine Consulate General, New York City, added to my scanty knowledge of the "Teachings of Christ" aside from those contain in the Gospels written by the Four Evangelists &endash; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The Gospel of Mary of Magdala according to bible scholars was written early in the second century and disappeared over 15 hundred years until a single fragmentary copy in Coptic translation was discovered in the late 19th century. Two additional fragments in Greek has come to light in the 20th century. Yet still no complete copy of the Gospel of Mary has become available.
Who was "Mary of Magdala"? Before attempting to answer said question, let us first discuss the teachings of the Gospel attributed to her.
It is claimed that the "Gospel of Mary" rejects the suffering and death of Jesus as the path to eternal life; it exposes the erroneous view that Mary of Magdala was a "prostitute"; argues for the legitimacy of women´s leadership; offers a sharp critique of illegitimate power and a utopian vision of spiritual perfection; it challenges the romantic views about the harmony and unanimity of the first Christians; and it asks us to rethink the basis for church authority.
According to the Gospel of Mary "all things, whether material or spiritual, are interwoven with each other. In the end, that will not be so. Each nature will return to its own root, its own original state and destiny." In the meanwhile, the nature of sin is tied to the nature of life in this mixed world. People commit sin because they fail to recognize their own spiritual nature. Instead, they love the lower nature that deceives them and leads to illness and death. Salvation is attained by discovering within oneself the true spiritual nature of humanity and overcoming the deceptive entrapment of human passions and the world. The teachings in the Gospel of Mary concludes with a warning against those who would delude the disciples into following some heroic leaders or a set of rules or laws. Instead, they are to seek the "Child of true Humanity" within themselves to gain inward peace.
In essence, the Gospel of Mary focuses instead on Jesus as a teacher and mediator of divine revealation. The Savior teaches that at death the final goal of salvation is not the resurrection of the body at the end of our age but the ascent of the soul to God both in this life by following the Savior´s teachings, and at death when the bonds between the body and the soul are loosened beyond time and eternity. There is no hell and no eternal punishment for God is not considered as a wrathful ruler or judge, but is simply called Good.
The book provides interesting reading but it did not change my faith or belief in the teachings or doctrines of the Catholic church as manifested in the Creed. The Gospel of Mary should be read in conjunction with the other Gospels of the Four Evangelists.
But who was "Mary of Magdala"? The following are conflicting versions about her:
1. She was Jesus´ favorite among women followers and reportedly received teachings from Jesus that other disciples have not heard of or known.
2. She received "vision" from Jesus.
3. She was among the first ones to see Jesus after the resurrection.
4. She gave comfort and encouragments when the disciples were fearful of their safety after the death of Jesus and did not know what to do how to comply with the mission entrusted to them by Jesus to spread the "Good News".
5. She was identified by Luke as the one "from whom seven demons had gone out" or exorcised by Jesus. Some writers referred to her as the "repentant prostitute."
6. Mary Magdalene was of independent means and supported Jesus out of her own resources, as did other Galilean women such as Joana, the wife of Chuza, Herod´s steward.
7. Mary Magdalene was the favorite follower of the Savior because He allegedly loved her more than the rest of the disciples.
8. When Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the Leper, Matthew and Mark mentioned in their respective Gospels that there was a woman who came to Jesus with an alabaster jar of precious ointment and poured it on Jesus´ head and the disciples were indignant for the ointment could have been sold for much and given to the poor. Jesus defended the actuation of the woman saying "She has done me a good turn by preparing my body for burial." That woman was identified by John in his Gospel as "Mary "who annointed the feet of Jesus with ointment and wth her hair wiped the feet of Jesus.
9. In "Pasiong Mahal" the woman who annointed Jesus head with perfumed ointment and wiped with her hair the feet of Jesus was identified as "Mary Magdalene."
10. Incidentally, there were several women who accompanied Jesus during His ministry all named "Mary". They were: Mary Magdalene; Mary of Magdala; Mary, mother of Jesus; Mary of Bethany; Mary, the wife of Clopas (Jesus´ aunt); and Mary, the mother of James.
It is for bible scholars to determine whether Mary of Magdala, Mary Magdalene, and Mary of Bethany, are one and the same person who was the favorite of Jesus and among the first ones to have seen Jesus after the resurrection and who according to the papyrus fragments discovered in the early 19th and 20th centuries wrote the "Gospel of Mary".
First Grandchild
By Rudy A. Arizala
Santiago, Chile
My younger brother´s daughter gave me the "good news" of the New Year. She just gave birth to a baby girl, the first granddaughter of my brother and, therefore, mine also. The coming of a newly-born, heralded or not by a star or other signs in the heavens or on earth, is always a source of immense joy and excitement because it is a continuation of the family on earth. A part of the propagation and perpetuation of the specie if we follow the Darwinian theory of evolution. The olds fade away replace by new ones.
Only two years ago, we deeply mourned the passing away of our beloved Nanay, who, if she were alive today, would have enjoyed the coming to this world of her first "apo sa tuhod" (great grandchild).
To parents of the newly-born as well as to the relatives, the baby is the prettiest and smartest child and they never tire of discussing and comparing to whom the baby look like &endash; the mother, the father or the grandparents from either side? The parents love their children so much that they would sacrifice or do everything for them. For the parents love their children with the same pathos that God has in His love for mankind.
Aside from who is the look alike of the child, the name of the newly-born these days in the Philippines is getting longer and difficult either to remember or pronounce. For example, to the given Christian name "Maria", the names of the grandmothers are added and modernized to sound like American names. Thus, the name of a newly-born baby girl these days could be "Maria Dolly Anne" &endash; a combination of the names "Maria", "Dolores" and "Ana". In the past the name "Maria" plus the family name of the father would suffice. But nowadays, we give at least three names to the baby plus the surname of the father.
The only advice I could give with respect to giving of names to a newly-born is: Be sure that the correct name or names of the child are registered in the Civil Registry as well as the names of both parents of the child and of course, the correct date of birth. This is to avoid problems later in getting a passport in case when already a professional or adult he or she would decide to travel or work abroad.
The birth of the first "apo" (grandchild) in our family is added statistics to the 84 million population of the Philippines. Compare this to only 16 million when my brother and I were still in the grade school.
We were then self-sufficient in rice and with respect to other basic commodities. We also attended classes the whole day compared to only half-day session today. This conducting of half sessions instead of full day classes is due to lack of classrooms, books, and teachers.
The newly-born child would be facing when she grow old a more complex and highly competitive world with problems of unemployment, environment pollution, drug addiction, security, terrorism, lack of food, water and many other problems of a highly technical globalizing world. We, therefore, pray that our first grandchild in the family have a bright future and this could be done through adequate good education, solid high moral foundation and unshakable religious faith.
The newly-born child reminds us what Jesus Christ told His disciples: "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."( Mt. 18:3-4).
Little known facts about Rizal
by Rudy Arizala
Apart from 30 December 1896 when he was executed by musketry in the hands of Pinoy soldiers in the Spanish army; 25 December he wrote his defense; and on 26 December 1896, he was sentenced to death, what else do we know about Rizal especially his character, his strengths and weaknesses?
Last year, I wrote a long essay (14 page) about our national hero titled: "Seldom-known or Forgotten Aspects of the First Filipino." However, for purpose of brevity allow me simply to reproduce hereunder the conclusions or summary of said essay. But before we do that, let me remind the readers what were the charges filed against Rizal and what were his defenses against those charges.
A. Charges against Rizal
1. Principal organizer and living soul of the Filipino insurrection.
2. Founder of societies, periodicals and books dedicated to fomenting and propagating the ideas of rebellion.
B. Rizal´s Defenses
1. The Filipino rebels used his name without his knowledge.
2. He could have escaped in a Moro vinta if he had a hand in the revolution, instead of building a home, hospital and buying parcels of land in Dapitan.
3. Rizal advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan not to rise in revolution.
4. His life in Dapitan had been exemplary as the Spanish military commander and missionary priests could attest.
C. Hereunder are parts of the conclusion of my essay mentioned above about Rizal.
1. "Rizal" was not the original surname of our national hero. Mercado was the original surname. Surname was changed for "security" reasons.
2. He was not a "real" doctor because he failed to submit a thesis. His first love was the study of law and arts.
3. Rizal as a child was melancholy, frail and without appetite.
4. He lost his passport, mistaken for a spy by the German police and that his passport bear the name "Jose Mercado" and not "Jose Rizal."
5. He believed that a "federal republic" form of government for the Philippines could be an alternative.
6. When he was studying in Europe due to lack of money he missed his meals, did not take a bath for a long time; borrowed money from janitors of university where he was studying, and pawned the diamond ring given to him by his sister Saturnina..
7 While in Hong Kong on his way to Europe he was offered a job at the Spanish Consulate. but did not accept it.
8. Rizal and Antonio Luna almost killed each other in a duel due to disparaging remarks made by Luna against Rizal´s sweetheart Nellie Boustead.
9-While still engaged with Leonor Rivera for eleven years, Rizal had many other loves.
10. Rizal played the lottery and won a share of the winning ticket.
11. He engaged in farming and in business while in Dapitan.
12. Although he bitterly criticized the friars in his two novels, he hears mass every Sunday.
13. The one who shot Rizal was a squad of Filipino soldiers under the employ of the Spanish Army.
14. He drinks beer simply not to call attention of the people in restaurant. In other words, "pakitang tao lamang" o pagkukunyari.
15. Rizal suffered from depression and had premonition he would die early,
Despite Rizal´s greatness and fittingly declared as our national hero, he was also human and like ordinary mortals with foibles, weaknesses, idiosyncrasies, and strength. He was mistaken for a spy; offered a job at the Spanish Consulate in Hong Kong; had differences with other expatriates Filipinos in Europe; had to borrow money from friends and even from janitors of a university; fallen in love several times; and became ill or sick due perhaps to lack of nourishment. Aside from intellectual pursuits (more inclined to writing and drawing or making sketches of people), he was also a farmer and a businessman. And like any mortal also engaged in the game of chance by betting on a lottery ticket.
But such human frailties did not prevent him from rendering magnificent service to his people by awakening in them love of country, national consciousness, and take pride in their country´s history, tradition to attain greatness in the future. In so far as biographer Ambassador Leon Ma. Guerrero is concerned: "Rizal was the first Filipino" because from a historical point of view among those who preceded him "No one proclaimed himself a Filipino." And among his contemporaries, "it was Rizal, as we have seen, who taught his countrymen that they could be something else, Filipinos who were members of a Filipino nation. . ."(Guerrero, p. 496).
It may be asked what was the dream of Rizal for the Philippines? What kind of government? According to biographer Guerrero Rizal thinking was that "If the two peoples did not become an homogenous mass, then the Philippines would be fated without fail to declare themselves independent someday, probably as a federal republic." Ibid., p. 231. Underscoring, supplied.)
It may be further asked: "Why should Rizal (Mercado) be our national hero when he refused to fight on the side of Bonifacio´s Katipunan in the field of battle against Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines but rather preferred to face a firing squad of 8 Filipino soldiers belonging to the Spanish army on that early 30th December morning in 1896, their Remington rifles ready to implement the death penalty?
Ambassador Leon Ma. Guerrero justified it rather poetically in the following words.
". . . . We may honor the fighters who, in hills and cellars, serve their country with the strength of their arms and resourcefulness of their intelligence, the self-made men, the worldly men, the successful men who do the necessary work of conspiracy, organization, revolt, and government, without which nothing would be accomplished. But we reserve our highest homage and deepest love for the Christlike victims whose mission is to consummate by their tragic ´failure´ the redemption of our nation. They stand above the reproaches and recriminations of human life, and are blessed with true immortality. When, at their appointed time, they die, we feel that all of us have died with them, but also that by their death we have been saved." (Ibid., p. 500).
And so ordinary mortal Rizal as he was, despite his seldom-known or forgotten human foibles, mistakes and even failures, through firm determination, hard work and personal sacrifices, was able to emerge out of a hosts of other heroes as the "First Filipino" to consummate the birth of a free nation. And the above quote from Amb.. Leon Ma. Guerrero explain why we have chosen Jose Mercado (Rizal) as the "First Filipino" and consequently our national hero. We have chosen a "Filibustero" instead of a "Warrior." Rizal in his letter to his friend Blumentritt explain the meaning of "filibustero" as a "dangerous patriot who will soon be on the gallows. . . ." His words were prophetic, indeed.
MULTI-FACETED, PARADOXICAL HERO?
By Rodolfo A. Arizala
Santiago, Chile
On 30 December 2003, we commemorate the 107th anniversary of the martyrdom of Jose Rizal. He was a writer, novelist, poet, painter, sculpture, medicine-man, businessman-farmer and expert swordsman.
To the colonial power (Crown of Spain), Rizal was terrorist, a "traitor" to Spain, a dangerous "filibuster" who should be eliminated. The Filipinos at that time were considered "Españoles Filipinos" ( Filipino Spaniards), But Rizal objected to his being called "mestizo" or Español Filipino and declared himself to be an "indio puro." Rizal, therefore, could be a "traitor-hero", "español-filipino" or "indio puro" depending on which glass prism you are looking through.
To most countries under colonial rule, the "Father of the Nation" or hero was usually one who fought in the field of battle, a Military Commander. Thus, the United States in its history had its Gen. George Washington, Argentina, a Gen. Jose San Martin; Chile, Gen. Bernardo O´Higgins, and Boliva, a Gen. Simon Bolivar, to mention a few. But the Philippines had a civilian, medicine man, a writer, poet, as "Father of the Nation."
Rizal´s first love was to study fine arts, literature and law, but studied medicine upon advice of his elder brother and because of his desire to cure his mother´s failing eyesight. . Strictly, speaking, Rizal was not a doctor because while he studied medicine in Europe, he was not able to submit the required thesis to be considered a full-pledge doctor of medicine. Yet, Rizal was called a "doctor" and practiced medicine in Hong Kong as well as in Dapitan. One of his patients in Dapitan was an Englishman named Mr. Taufer accompanied by his foster daughter an Irish girl called Josephine Bracken. The latter became Rizal´s "live-in partner" if not his legal wife (There was controversy as to whether Rizal married or not Josephine Bracken).
Our national hero loved only one country, the Philippines. But with reference to the opposite sex, Rizal had many varied love affairs, local and foreign. Rizal had a woman in almost all countries visited by him. Rizal bitterly criticized his countrymen in Europe for engaging in vices -- wine, women, and gambling. Yet, he himself engaged in the game of numbers or chance by betting in a lottery game and won. He also loved to drink beer while in Germany and of course, as pointed out earlier, had several women in his life before meeting Josephine Bracken while on exile in Dapitan.
There was a controversy whether Rizal married Josephine Bracken before he was executed on 30 December 1896, because it was claimed that being a member of a Masonic organization, he did not retract and return to the Catholic fold. Thus, the impossibility of being married by the Catholic church shortly before he died. Another doubt was that whether his poem "Ultimo Adios" (Last Farewell) hidden inside an alcohol burner was written on the eve of his execution or was prepared earlier prior to his being confined in Fort Santiago. He criticized the friars and some Catholic church practices yet he attended Mass every Sunday.
Rizal denounced the abuses of foreign colonizers in the Philippines in his two novels -- the "Noli" and the "Fili" to the point of agitating the Filipinos to take up arms and free themselves from the yoke of slavery and colonialism. Yet, when invited to join the revolution, Rizal refused to join saying that the revolutionists need first money to buy armaments. He also believed a revolution to be successful should involve the wealthy or rich families in the Philippines and not only the peasant class or masses.
Charged with the crime of rebellion and illegal association, Rizal was tried by a Court Martial and condemned to death. The court did not believe in Rizal´s defense that: 1). The Filipino rebels used Rizal´s name without his knowledge; 2). He could have escaped had he wanted to; and 3). His conduct while in Dapitan was exemplary.
While it was a Spanish Court Martial which condemned Rizal to death -- to die by musketry -- it was a squad of Filipino soldiers under the employ of the Spanish Army who shot Rizal at Bagumbayan field, now "Rizal Park."
Why then, despite the multifaceted character of Rizal to the extent of being considered controversial, and his refusal to fight on the side of Andres Bonifacio´s Katipunan against Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines, was he proclaimed our national hero?
Historians and biographers such as Ambassador Leon Ma. Guerrero considered Rizal the national hero of the Philippines because "it was Rizal who taught his countrymen they could be something else, Filipinos who were members of a Filipino nation." In other words, he awakened his fragmented people to move a nation toward national consciousness and thereby worthy of our acclamation if not emulation as a national hero.
As further justification for Rizal being our national hero instead of Bonifacio, Aguinaldo, Mabini, Del Pilar, Generals Luna and Malvar, and other icons of the past, Leon Ma. Guerrero observed:
" … We may honor the fighters who, in hills and cellars, serve their country with the strength of their arms and resourcefulness of their intelligence, the self-made men, the worldly men, the successful men who do the necessary work of conspiracy, organization, revolt, and government, without which nothing would be accomplished. But we reserve our highest homage and deepest love for the Christlike victims whose mission is to consummate by their tragic failure the redemption of our nation. They stand above the reproaches and recriminations of human life, and are blessed with true immortality. When, at their appointed time, they die, we fell that all of us have died with them, but also that by their death we have been saved."
And so ordinary mortal Rizal as he was, despite his seldom-known human foibles, even mistakes and paradoxes, through firm determination, hard work and personal sacrifices, he was able to emerge out of many other competing icons of our country as the "First Filipino" to consummate the birth of a nation desiring to be free.
We have chosen a "Filibustero" instead of a "Warrior", an "ilustrado" instead of a "peasant" as our national hero thus, giving credence to the adage: "The pen is mightier than the sword"
Have we, indeed, chosen the appropriate national hero?
At this stage of our history, methinks it has become irrelevant. Every nation should have an icon, a Father image, a great Commander, a Caesar, as the ancient Romans did -- a symbol to rally behind, make sacrifices for attainment and maintenance of nationhood, liberty and progress. And if we have none, "we have to invent one."
Rizal's Monument
By Rudy Arizala
The month of June is not only a month of "wedding bells" for "June brides" but also a time to recall the birth of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. He was born in Calamba, Laguna on June 19, 1861.
The people of Infanta, Quezon have many things to be thankful for. One of them was the civic-spiritedness of the late Col. Pablo Astilla who, out of his personal funds, constructed the Rizal monument in front of the municipal building at the town plaza.
As a young boy, my first encounter with Dr. Rizal was through the monument built by Col. Astilla. If one looks closely at the Rizal monument in Infanta, one can see stacks of books behind Rizal. They remind us of Rizal's two immortal novels &emdash; Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo &emdash; which fired our people with the spirit of nationalism and love of country that eventually freed us from bondage.
The books are constant reminders to us of the emphasis that Rizal gave on the value of education. In his book Noli me Tangere, he said: "The school is the foundation of society. Show us the school of a people and we will tell you what kind of people they are." In his "Manifesto to the Filipinos" (1896), Rizal reminded us that as a prerequisite to liberty, the education of the people is necessary because "by means of instruction and work we will have our own personality and be worthy of liberty…"
We can say that the people of Metro Infanta have followed Rizal's admonition faithfully. No matter how poor our parents were, they made sacrifices so that they could give their children better education. Many "Infantahins" are now useful citizens at home and abroad because of the good education they received through their parents' hard work and sacrifices.
The call, therefore, for support of the Northern Quezon Cooperative College in Infanta (Metro Infanta News, Vol. 2, No. 5 May 1996 issue) should not be a "lone voice crying in the wilderness" but should receive full support from all who value Rizal's admonition on the importance of education.
Incidentally, we generally celebrate Rizal's martyrdom on Dec. 30, but not the date of his birth on June 19. Thus, observed the late Ambassador Leon Ma. Guerrero: "We may honor the fighters who, in the hills and cellars, serve their country with the strength of their arms and the resourcefulness of their intelligence… But we reserve our highest homage and deepest love for the Christ-like victims whose mission is to consummate by their tragic failure the redemption of our nation."
Another significant date is June 12, the day when Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the Independence of the Philippines at Cavite Viejo (now called Kawit). In "La Acta de la Independencia" written by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista in June 1898, it was proclaimed: "And having witness to the rectitude of our intentions the Supreme Judge of the Universe …we do hereby proclaim and declare solemnly in the name and authority of the people of these Philippine Islands, that they are and have the right to be free and independent…"
In conclusion, during the month of June, we have two important dates to remember and celebrate: June 12, the date of the Proclamation of our Independence, and June 19, the birthday of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, and the "pride of the Malay Race."
Indeed, the monument of Rizal constructed by Col. Pablo Astilla reminds us of the births of our national independence and that of our national hero who gave life and meaning to our freedom.
-- "Labong Ng Kawayan: Walking through the Pathways and Streeets of Infanta" 2002