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The Legacy Of Dr. Jose Rizal
More than 111 years ago, Spanish authorities shot a man in the grounds of Luneta Manila. That moment was about to change the course of Philippine history. The man who was shot during that time was Jose Rizal. Every year we continue to remember and commemorate the death anniversary of this great man.
More than 111 years ago, Spanish authorities shot a man in the grounds of Luneta Manila. That moment was about to change the course of Philippine history. The man who was shot during that time was Jose Rizal. Every year we continue to remember and commemorate the death anniversary of this great man.
What was the reason why Jose Rizal was chosen as our national hero ? What is the greatest legacy that he gave to the Filipino people ? Majority of Filipinos believed that Jose Rizal become a national hero because of his example and his writings that greatly influenced most of our revolutionary leaders. However there are those who believe that he should only be declared a hero not “The national hero.” Majority of Filipinos also believe that the greatest legacy that he gave to the Filipino people was his patriotism and his love for his country.
When I took the required “Rizal” course during my undergraduate studies, I was so intrigued by his life story that I read the book authored by Zaide in just one day. I have probably done that because I consider Jose Rizal as one of my “Role models.” During the time that I was in Manila, I made sure that I could visit the actual grounds where Rizal was shot. Contrary to what most Filipinos believe, Jose Rizal was not executed in the spot where his shrine in Luneta stands right now. The actual grounds where Jose Rizal was shot is several meters away from where his shrine is located. Before you enter the area there is a sign that says that the place is “hollowed ground” and it truly is for me. I also had a chance to visit his house at Calamba Laguna. Perhaps someday I could also visit his place of exile in Dapitan. Knowing so much about Jose Rizal, I just cannot help but ask myself how could this man who only lived for a short period of time be so much of an influence even until now, not only here but abroad as well ?
I believe that Jose Rizal’s greatest legacy was that he lived a meaningful, rich and full life. His only 34 years of living on this planet did not matter since he has accomplished so much in such a short period of time. This is so because he had a vision in his mind and a mission in his heart. Such mission and vision was so strong that it translated into action and as a result he did not have any time for trivial matters but rather all of his time was devoted to the fullfillment of his mission and vision.
The proper question that each and everyone of us should be asking is, Will our lives truly matter? Can we honestly say to ourselves that we have lived a life of purpose and meaning ? If we fail to answer this question positively, then would to God that he would grant us a personal vision and mission for our lives so that we might not waste our time on trivial things. If we do this, we might be able to live the kind of life that Jose Rizal did, leaving a legacy for other to follow. Just like Jose Rizal, leaving a legacy is I believe, my “higher calling.”