• Details from RACHELL NEPANGUE & ZAALICA SABDULLAH DARDAGAN
• Cover Photo | RICHARD MONTALVO
The days of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal were relived anew when the country marked the 128th anniversary of his martyrdom on Monday, Dec. 30.
And in Bacolod City, what venue is more fitting than the refurbished Rizal Park in front of Rizal Elementary School – both landmarks named after him.
The theme of the celebration – “Rizal sa Bagong Pilipinas: Buhay at Aral, Aming Nilalandas” – highlighted the enduring relevance of the life and works of Dr. Rizal in the life of modern-day Filipinos.
The early morning celebration consisted of two parts: the commemorative program – which was capped by the pageantry recalling the key points in the life of the national hero – and the floral offering and wreath-laying rites at the foot of Rizal’s monument at the park.
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Bacolod City Councilor lawyer Renecito Novero extolled the national hero for his enduring legacy and called on the people to continue taking heed of Rizal’s teachings, which he reiterated, has remained applicable to the lives of present-day Filipinos.
With Novero in the commemorative program were Councilors Jude Thaddeus Sayson and Em Ang and Barangay 34 Captain Teodoro Heaton Yulo.
Rizal Elementary School Principal, Dr. Pedro Crispe, in his opening remarks underscored the significance of the celebration as he also thanked the school community for their participation that ensured the success of the annual celebration.
Also attending the program were Bacolod City Police Chief Col. Joeresty Coronica, Gen. Primitivo Tabujara Jr., head of the city Public Safety and Public Order Office, DepEd officials, including Assistant Supt. Dr. Randolph Aleman and District 5 Supervisor Dr. Grace Abao.
Representatives of other government and civic organizations, including the Knights of Rizal and scouting groups, also attended.
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The re-enactment was portrayed in the park pageantry, “Ina sa Anak: Pagmamahal na Walang Kapantay”, which was presented with musical scoring and narration that included lines delivered in Spanish language.
The re-enactment, with a cast of nearly 100 RES faculty, staff and students, was directed by Julius Esparas with the script written by Kitchie Totisano.
Both are RES teachers.
Providing musical numbers was the Teachers’ Chorale of the Bacolod City Schools Division.
A 21-gun salute was done by members of the Bacolod City Police Office “as a tribute to the heroism and lasting significance of Rizal to the Philippines society.”
Concluding the program was the rendition of a nationalism song, “O Bayan Ko, Bayang Pinapangarap.”
Teachers Cherriemel Relota and Anjie Guanzon served as masters of ceremonies.
A reception followed at the RES Heritage Building.
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A city resident, who requested anonymity, said he always looks forward to the Rizal Day Program because it is a significant punctuation to the Christmas and New Year holidays and serves as a fitting prelude to the challenges ahead.
“We just observed Christmas, which reminds us of love for God and others and here comes Rizal Day that makes us reflect on the need to love our country. Both red-letter says infuse in the energy, inspiration and mindset to keep on loving God, country and others in the coming days of the new year,” he said. | Photos courtesy of Pitik ni Papa Jack FB & the RES Documentation Team
