Several dozen representatives of the many Filipino community groups and organizations gathered for a tribute to Dr. Jose P. Rizal at the Rizal monument Saturday.
That date represented the day prior to Rizal’s execution by Spaniards on the morning of Dec. 30, 1896, said Dr. Arnulfo Diaz, the event’s emcee.
Diaz said the annual tribute to the Filipino hero, who fought for freedom and justice for the Filipino people, was coordinated by Dr. Ramon Dela Pena. Pena, as a regent for the University of Hawai‘i, was in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl but made sure all of the arrangements were in place prior to his departure.
The thrust of the tribute was coordinated by the Kaua‘i Pangasinan Association in conjunction with the Kaua‘i Filipino Community Council and featured several readings about the life of Rizal as well as a message from Kaua‘i Mayor Bryan Baptiste.
“It’s not how long a life is, but what is done with the minutes a person has,” Baptiste said, noting that anyone can make a difference.
Rizal, born June 19, 1861, was executed in 1896. During his life he was a Filipino nationalist and a strong advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era.
He is considered a national hero, and the anniversary of his death is celebrated as in the Philippines as a holiday, Rizal day.
Diaz said the monument that sits on the lawn of the Historic County Building was done through the efforts of Project Rizal, which was spearheaded by Alfredo Villanueva and Catalino Suero. The monument was dedicated and unveiled in 1984, some 23 years ago.
Charlmaine Bulosan, Suero’s daughter, offered a presentation of Rizal’s life in a piece penned by Suero.
Juno Apalla and Abigail Iloreta teamed to present “Ultimo Adios,” a poem penned by Rizal and smuggled out of the prison. Diaz said the original poem was done on a piece of paper small enough to fit into a tiny alcohol lamp, untitled, unsigned and undated.
Years following his death, the poem has become internationally reknown, and celebrations honoring Rizal have recitations of the poem done both in Spanish and in English.
Diaz said in the Philippines, one had to memorize that poem and present it as one of the prerequisites to graduation from university, although he is not sure that is the case today.
