January 04, 2021 AMONG all our heroes, Dr. Jose Rizal, whose martyrdom we commemorated five days ago, is without any doubt the most written about. But one can never get tired leafing through Rizaliana materials. There is always something new, something interesting to learn about him. Here are some interesting bits and pieces:
Rizal was cool-headed but there was a time when he almost fought a duel with two other famous kababayans Antonio Luna and Wenceslao Retana. Rizal and Luna almost dueled because of a girl Nelly Boustead, a beautiful mestiza of English and Spanish descent. Luna felt that he had the first claim on Nelly Boustead but Boustead appeared to be becoming infatuated with Rizal. In fact, Boustead later became one of the many girlfriends of Rizal.
On the 30th day of December yearly, the whole nation observes the death anniversary of our great national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. This is to commemorate the nationalism and martyrdom of Rizal which is highlighted by the raising of the Philippine flag and wreath laying-ceremonies at the Luneta Park, Rizal Shrine in Calamba and Zamboanga and Rizal Monument in Baguio City. For this reason, 30 December is declared a national non-working holiday. The theme of this year’s Rizal Day celebration is “Rizalismo: Sandigan ng Kaunlaran, Pagkakaisa at Kapayapaan” which is apparently timely to the status quo with the economic crisis and political conflicts confronting the Filipinos. We often come up with a theme such as the abovementioned to arouse the nationalistic fervor of the people and join hand in hand in the celebration of Rizal’s martyrdom. Another reason for the said celebration is perhaps to bring the Filipinos together as they immortalize Rizal and his significance in contempo