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He was a novelist, a poet, an architect, a cartographer, an essayist, a doctor, a polyglot. He was a certified ‘Jack Of All Trades’. We all know him as our country’s hero, an idol whom probably most youth like me, look up to.
Last June 19, 2011, Filipinos around the world commemorated the 150th Birthday of Jose Rizal. His 150 years marks yet another major breakthrough to the history of the country. For more than a century now, he has continued to inspire and still serve the Filipinos even after his unmerited death at the Bagumbayan field in the year 1896 at the age of 35.
But what makes Rizal such an important icon? For several years already, a lot of debates had been raised by every wondering Filipino if this man deserves to be this country’s pride and be recognized as the national hero.
Figures say it all. During a previous survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations in the First Quarter of this year, a confounding 75 percent would agree that Rizal is an authentic national hero. Still, most Filipinos treasure Rizal heartily.
However, a “Yes” or a “No” answer, would not matter. Anybody's answer would not change anything. Hero or not, Rizal has left an unending legacy that every Filipino should admire. He became a great part of our identity as a country.
We should not only honor the glory left by Rizal for this year only. Let us make him as a part of our everyday knowing that that man has shaped who we are today. We should then cherish him for more 150 years to come. # by By Kate Kollin
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