Dapitan Rizal Rites, July 17, 2010

Just returned from Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte, where Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal was exiled on July 17, 1892 for his very active political initiatives for reforms and improvements in the governance of the Philippines by the Spanish colonials. I delivered a brief message for our National Historical Commission on the occasion of the formal unveiling of the beautiful monument, built with funds raised by the former Zamboanga del Norte Congressman Romeo Jalosjos. He was in jail the past 14 years but was pardoned by former President Gloria Arroyo before she stepped down. Although not an elected or appointed official, the former Congressman is virtually the emperor of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay, whose politics he controls through his siblings and children. I was billeted with the sculptors of the monument in his very popular Dakak Park and Beach Resort, half an hour in the outskirts. It is always full of conferences and tourists and the white sand beaches are very gently sloping and relaxing to swim in. Several parts of the national road leading there are still gravel so with the heavy rains, travel is a bit uncomfortable.

It is so amazing how Rizal transformed wilderness into a civilized and comfortable community while he was in exile in Dapitan for 4 years. His farm is now a shrine maintained and operated by our National Historical Commission, with replicas of his architectural structures. Some of the infrastructures he designed and supervised the building of still remain. He was truly a genius and is dubbed by Jalosjos as the Philippine Renaissance Man. Interestingly we shall celebrate Rizal's 150th birthday on June 19, 2011.

Sharing some pics I took in Dapitan.

Cheers
Gabby

PS Following is my brief address during the rites.

Short Address by Gabby Lopez, Commissioner-Director, National Historical Commission
On the occasion of the 118th Anniversary of the Landing of Jose Rizal in Dapitan for His Exile

Good Afternoon Dear Kababayans
Today is a historical day as we commemorate the arrival here in Dapitan of our national hero, Gat Jose Rizal on July 17, 1892. He was exiled here by the Spanish colonial government because of his very active political reform initiatives. While it was a heavy penalty for him, Dapitan became the very fortunate beneficiary of his genius and goodness during his exile.

His four years (until July 31, 1896) were very productive for Rizal, never having a dull period. During his sojourn here, he engaged in many useful and beneficial activities. He became a farmer, after purchasing a piece of land from his share in winning the lottery then, together with his Spanish friends. His farm, TALISAY, produced coffee, cacao, sugarcane, other fruits, and became, as well, a place for raising farm animals and poultry for food security. In the farm, he designed and built various shaped nipa and bamboo houses – square, hexagonal, and octagonal to serve as his residence plus farm barns and students’ dorms.
In late 1892 he showed his creative human settlements planning talents by redesigning Dapitan’s plaza, adding a relief map of Mindanao that still can be seen and putting street lights, with the help of his Jesuit teacher, Fr. Francisco Sanchez SJ. He also designed and supervised the construction of a practical water distribution system for the community, building a small dam and water delivery aquifers to provide potable water to the residents. This is a very encouraging note for us urban-environmental planners.

In Dapitan Rizal showed his entrepreneurial acumen by engaging in the trading of abundant fish and agricultural products. In addition, he also provided medical services, including free eye treatment and operations, especially for the poor. Because he valued education very much, Rizal also gave free education in an integrated school established in 1894, to the young male students in Dapitan.

In his free time, Rizal wrote poems and essays, produced paintings and artistic pieces in sculpture, and collected botanical and zoological specimens. He was even visited here by his girl friend, Josephine Bracken in 1895, when she accompanied her step father, George Taufer, who consulted Rizal about his blindness.

In 1896, Rizal volunteered to serve as a Medical Doctor of the Spanish forces at war with the American forces in Cuba. He was permitted to do so and left for Manila on July 31, 1896. However, upon his arrival in Manila, he was arrested and imprisoned for being suspected to be a member of the Philippine Revolutionary Movement.
Rizal’s four years of exile proved to be four years of blessings and benefits to the community of Dapitan. His practical experiences in land use development planning, human security management, and environmental sustainability and his example in engaging in productive projects show that adversity can always be transformed into benefits and advantage. He was always motivated for his love of the nation and the people, particularly the less privileged. By his acts, he lived HEROIC SERVANT LEADERSHIP to the full, undaunted by the imposed limitations on him.

It is my privilege to join you, descendants of the Dapitan citizens who enjoyed Rizal’s goodness, to honor him and emulate his good example. Mabuhay ang mga Dapitanon! Mabuhay ang mga Zamboangueńo! Mabuhay tayong mga Pilipino! Maraming salamat po and Godbless.