MY POINT OF VIEW: A lesson learned

Doctor Jose Rizal

by Gary Kennedy

I am not only a Rotarian but also a Knight of Rizal. I believe the most beautiful love story is the life and loves of Doctor Jose Rizal. Jose Rizal was born in the very beautiful hamlet of Calamba Laguna, Philippines on June 19th 1861. He died at dawns early light on December 30, 1896, at the hands of a Spanish firing squad. He was only 35 years old.

Dr. Rizal was a brilliant young optometrist whose most memorable surgery was that of the one performed on his own mother. She was blinded by cataracts. The surgery was successful. He loved his entire family as well as friends, unconditionally and spent his very short life trying to increase their lot, especially their equality in all forms to other races. He was one of the greatest humanitarians that God ever allowed to draw breath. His philosophy was not self centered or based on greed but to have the world recognize that all men were created equal and should have the right of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. (Sound familiar?) This included the realization that we were all born in the likeness of God as well as with the ability to think and to develop those abilities into meaningful products or venues.

Dr. Rizal was a brilliant doctor but also the master of many languages and skills. The list of his abilities is far greater than that of anyone I have ever known. His format was for the world to see Filipinos as a race of people equal to the best of what the world had to offer. Time is proving him to be correct. He surrounded himself with other scholars who shared his belief not only for Dr. Rizal’s race but that of others. The USA has many clubs nationally.

Dr. Rizal was raised under Spanish rule and he loved and respected Spain. He devoted his life trying to show Spain of his loyalty and respect and only asked for acceptance, as a child would his parents. For most of his beautiful life he sought Spain’s acceptance and its acceptance of equality and family. However, there were those who were jealous of him and wanted to see his beliefs along with its followers destroyed. When I read about this brilliant God fearing man I can’t help but think of the beautiful song that was written for Vincent Van Gogh, Starry, Starry Night. If you listen to the words they would parallel Dr. Rizal’s life.

I have read what has been made available to me about this man who some believe to be saint like. I am no expert on that but I certainly can see why some would hold him in the highest of esteem. Since I joined this group of followers in 2003, a day doesn’t seem to go by that his presence doesn’t cross my mind. I have often found myself day dreaming from conjured up memories of events in his life that have stuck with me from that which I have read, from books, essays, poems and articles which lead me down many paths. Dr. Rizal is one of those characters of life that leaves you with a lasting impression and many memories of which the human mind puts in its playground.

During one of the Cuban conflicts the Americans defeated Spain and took possession of the Philippine Islands. Under American rule, and becoming a USA territory, there was good and bad but change did come and over time Filipinos would fight alongside of the Americans, and to this day the American military has a large number of Filipino soldiers. They serve with great skill and integrity. They are also the largest alien population in Maine.

The Philippines ended up with the respect they so sorely deserved and education became mandatory. Although the Philippines is not yet a rich country or at least the people for the most part aren’t, it is well on its way. Dr. Rizal from the top of Mt. Makiling can say, “now the world can see that my people are as intelligent and gifted as any of this world”. I think the histories of America and the Philippines are very similar, as an intelligent God fearing nation which is still in the growth stage. There are those of other countries that have the same desire for superiority and greed as Spain once did. There is good and bad everywhere.

Beware of the little dog as he can reach places that others cannot and that is a serious under estimate of situations. Dr. Rizal and the lessons he left us with will be remembered and honed into tools of success. As I write these words these things are happening. Love of God and family are very powerful tools of which to build for. If you don’t love God and respect the rights of others to exist you have no foundation. There is no purpose to your life besides self fulfillment coupled with greed. On December 30, Jose Rizal willingly gave his life in order to lay down an example.

It was the leaders of the church and another country that took this beautiful man’s life of which he allowed for all to see. There were many tears shed then and there are still more now. Foot prints such as those are very hard to fill and very few in history have. In the end Dr. Rizal didn’t ask for any earthly reward. He just wanted to set an example. His only request was to the Spanish, who were about to take his life as the sun was rising on beautiful Manila Bay, “please let me face the sun as it is rising”. However, the world of 1896 seemed to have little or no heart. His final request was refused. The friars of the time wanted him to be shot in the back.

Dr. Rizal, while in a prison cell, prepared for this answer and planned his last moment on this earth. He would place his feet, weight and body so as when the volley of lead balls were to strike his back his body weight would compensate allowing his hat and body to meet the earth face up. Also some say a dog circled his body howling. The dog was identical to a dog that Rizal loved. Some believe it was the spirit of a dear friend. I guess I will have to wait to find out. Dr. Rizal wrote several books, the most famous of these were Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. There are many essays, poems and various manuscripts. All that you can find is well worth the reading. Also a complete history of Dr. Rizal is available. In my opinion he was one the most remarkable men in the history of the world. I am a member of the Knights of Rizal and would love to see a branch started here in the pristine state of Maine.

We are in some very precarious times right now. History has left us with so much information and so many doorways in which to unlock. I chose to share this very short story of a very big man during this time as his work, beliefs and philosophy have love as its foundation. God bless and may your decisions be based on the heart. It is a tablet for the one we hold most dear and will face in its time. If you would like to know more about this great human being, let me know and I will write more. It’s world history and available.