Jose Rizal was born in Calamba, Laguna on the 19th of June 1861. It was an age of heroes: Juan Luna, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Marcelo H. del Pilar, to name a few, were born within a few years of Rizal. The mutiny of 1872 was but a decade away. The execution of the martyr-priests Gomez, Burgos and Zamora was the death knell of a despotic colonial administration that these heroes would bring to an end at the close of the 19th century.
There are many heroes of the revolution against Spain, but Jose Rizal's life, character, and writings have made him the preeminent figure in the fight for independence. Today every town plaza has a monument to the national hero.
Our appreciation of Rizal as hero and symbol of national unity is due in large measure to the efforts of another nationalist, the late Senator Claro M. Recto, who incurred the ire of the Roman Catholic hierarchy for proposing that the study of Rizal's novels be made compulsory in all colleges and universities.
One hundred fifty years after his birth, Rizal continues to be relevant to this generation. His characters Simoun, Ibarra, Maria Clara, Sisa, Dona Victorina, Padre Damaso, Kapitan Tiago and others have etched their presence in the national psyche. With his appreciation of the past, and understanding of contemporary realities, Rizal continues to talk to the 'hope of the nation'---the generations of Filipino youth who are his natural audience.
In honor of the hero's birth, more than seventy contemporary Filipino artists including Salingpusa stalwarts Elmer Borlongan, Manny Garibay, Mark Justiniani, Antonio Leano, Neil Manalo, Joy Mallari, Ferdie Montemayor, Jose John Santos III, and Pam Yan-Santos; Leo Abaya, Sandra Fabie-Gfeller, Riel Hilario, Erwin Leano, Lotsu Manes, Andy Orencio, Jim Orencio, Wire Tuazon, Olan Ventura, Manok Ventura, Cris Villanueva; and the younger group of Demetrio de la Cruz, Winner Jumalon, Stephanie Lopez, Leeroy New, Ian Quirante, Elmer Roslin, Kirby Roxas, Jaypee Samson, Jerson Samson, Marina and Rodel Tapaya, Tatong Torres and Cos Zicarelli have come together for CIENTO CINCUENTA, a celebration of Rizal's life, work, and writings through drawings, sculpture and other media.
The show will open at 3 o'clock in the afternoon tomorrow, Sunday, 16 October 2011, at the Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo City. Writer and cultural worker Gemma Cruz-Araneta will grace the opening, together with art patron Dr. Joven R. Cuanang. A new bust of the national hero by sculptor Salvador Alonday will be unveiled at the Silangan Gardens.
On 6 November 2011, Dr. Ambeth Ocampo will deliver a commemorative Rizal lecture in the function room of the Pinto Art Museum.
Pinto Art Museum is at 1 Sierra Madre, Grand Heights, Antipolo City, Rizal Province.
by Rene Guatlo
