FF-150 BRP Jose Rizal - Namesakes
Dr. Jose Rizal, a national hero loved by all Filipinos, posited that life is useless if not consecrated to a great idea. He spoke of it a year after he left his homeland for studies in Spain: “In my heart I have suppressed all loves, except that of my native land; in my mind I have erased all ideas which do not signify her progress; and my lips have forgotten the names of the native races in the Philippines in order not to say more than Filipinos.” Rizal’s chief aim was to reform Philippine society, first by uncovering its ills and second, by awakening the Filipino youth. His enemies were the oppressive colonial government, but especially the corrupt elements among the friars, members of the religious orders that exerted the greatest influence over the government and thereby held complete sway over the lives of the Filipinos. He plunged himself into the thick of the Propaganda, a movement that agitated for government reforms in the Philippines, foremost of which was Filipinos’ assimilation in the Spanish nation through representation in the Cortes (Spanish Parliament).
His capacity for self-denial had developed to such a degree that enabled him -when he was short on funds abroad- to breakfast on a few biscuits for days on end; to take exams on an empty stomach or go for hours without food; to burn the candle at both ends studying his lessons or learning a new language; to steel himself from falling into the trap of drinking and gambling, which had waylaid many of his compatriots from their mission. Despite his deprivations, he continued to push himself to serve his nation’s cause finally producing his greatest work, the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, works that paved his way to an untimely death but also to a lasting place in the hearts and minds of his compatriots.
Rizal, who was convicted of sedition by Spanish court martial, was executed by firing squad at Bagumbayan field, now popularly known as Rizal Park, in Manila on December 30, 1896. Rizal's death did not go to waste, as it fueled the re-awakening of the people to stand up against the excesses or abuses of the colonizers which extended for over three centuries. As a polyglot, Rizal had the habit of switching from one language to another. His biographers faced difficulty in translating his works because of his habit of switching languages. He was conversant in 22 languages. When he was studying in Spain, Rizal had to pawn a ring owned by his sister Saturnina just to pay for his exams. December 30 of every year is declared as regular holiday to allow the whole nation to observe the death anniversary of Rizal.
Antonio Luna was the fiery-tempered but brilliant military strategist of Gen Aguinaldo. He was the brother of the famous painter Juan Luna. The Luna brothers, Juan and Antonio, participated in the struggle for Philippine independence, each using his unique talent. Juan, the renowned painter, and Antonio, the chemist and general, served the country during the most difficult stage of creating the Filipino nation.
Though his artistic career flourished in Paris, France, Juan’s domestic life was turbulent. In 1892 in a rage of jealousy, he killed his wife, Paz Pardo de Tavera, and his mother-in-law, Juliana Gorricho Pardo de Tavera. Tried in Paris, Juan was absolved of the crime that the court believed he had committed in defense of his honor. He and his younger brother, Antonio, were imprisoned in 1896 for suspected involvement in the Katipunan although at the time, they did not yet support the revolution.
Antonio Luna was born on 29 October 1866 in Binondo, Manila, the youngest of seven siblings. He studied at the Ateneo de Manila where he finished his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1881. Antonio studied for two years at the University of Santo Tomas, where he received a prize for his work, Dos Cuerpos Importantes de Quimica, and then went to Europe in 1886. He received his Licentiate in Pharmacy at the University of Barcelona and his doctorate in the same discipline at the Universidad Central de Madrid in 1890. He studied further in France and Belgium.
While in Spain, Antonio also participated in the campaign for reforms through his political writings. Under the pen name ‘Taga-Ilog,’ he wrote articles for the reformist periodical, La Solidaridad, which criticized the friars and abusive government officials and aspired for changes in the colony. He also managed the paper La Independencia. In 1897, he was deported to Spain and imprisoned in Carcel Modelo de Madrid. When he was released, he studied military tactics.
During the Phil-Am war, he was made a general by Aguinaldo. Because of his bravery, he was made director of War on September 26, 1898. Antonio played a huge role in the war against the United States. He served as Director and Assistant Secretary of War and led different battles in Caloocan, Bulacan, and Pampanga. Because of his strict leadership and punishment of wrongdoing, he incurred the wrath of some soldiers. Antonio also opposed members of the Aguinaldo cabinet who favored autonomy under American rule; these men witnessed Antonio’s volatile temper on several occasions.
When the Republic formed the Red Cross Association, Luna requested that it "collect funds with which to give small gifts to the soldiers who were fighting in the lines." Moreover, he invited the Red Cross Ladies to bring these gifts to the soldiers themselves. He had two aims in view: to build the soldiers' morale, and to enable the ladies "to give accurate reports of the sufferings and necessities of the troops." Consequently, Luna had the ladies carried by train from San Fernando, Pampanga to the frontlines. The effect was visibly excellent. Luna said: "If at that moment, the enemy attacked, there is no doubt that they would have died first before abandoning their posts!"
General Luna became famous for bravery, unusual style of fighting, and strict discipline ( strict and dictator-like ). At the age of 31, he was shot dead in Cabanatuan in a treacherous attack led by a disgruntled Filipino Sergeant. On 5 June 1899, Antonio arrived in Gen. Aguinaldo’s headquarters in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija Antonio saw some soldiers of the Kawit Batallion whom he had scolded and disarmed months earlier, including Kawit Battalion commander (and old foe) Pedro Janolino. The soldiers shot him and his companion, Col. Paco Roman, and hacked them to death.
It’s natural to assume that Aguinaldo was behind Luna’s assassination—after all, the deed was done by his soldiers. But historians, notably De La Salle University professor Xiao Chua, said there is no concrete proof to back this up. Apparently Janolino feared Luna would kill him, so he and the soldiers beat him to it. In any case, the film Heneral Luna sparked the public’s interest to learn more about this unresolved moment in history.
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