Jose Rizal, a fading image ... Filipinism, an eroding feeling

It is flattering that some Filipinos celebrate Rizal's birthday still. The picture taken by Philippine Inquirer (above) are a bunch of aging Rizalistas who marched in the formation of the Philippine flag towards the Quirino Grandstand on June 19, 2007 ... a display of their recognition of Rizal's role in our history and a display of their undying devotion to nationalistic ideals.

On the same day, an aging artist, Leonardo Cruz (74), was ecstatic to be able to fulfill his boyhood dream of being able to illustrate the pages of "Noli Me Tangere" through his paintings. That was his way of honoring his country and Jose Rizal.

Abroad, an international publisher, Penguin Books published a new translation of the same book and classified it as part of their exclusive Penguin Classics line.

Many of the foreign friends that I have had from Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and even Mexico have heard of Rizal and all have praises. They at least have heard of his role in Philippine history.

Quite ironically, it appears that only the aging Filipinos remember ... only the aging Filipinos know ... and only aging Filipinos commemorate June 19 and December 30. Aging Filipinos and foreigners.

I once saw footage of Philippine News where they asked elementary and high school students to sing the Pambansang Awit (National Anthem) ... all missed out on the lyrics. A bigger shock came when they asked a teacher to sing ... and she missed the lyrics just as miserably.

I grew up in a generation which many would call "old." I sang the Pambansang Awit and recited the Panatang Makabayan every morning before school starts. I learned about the suffering and the plight of Filipinos throughout our history and learned to appreciate the Rizals, Bonifacios, del Pilars, Aguinaldos and all others who in their own ways contributed to alleviate conditions for Filipinos. It has always been a good reference point to remind me of who I really am and the heroes were a good role model to follow.

Yes, role models ... there doesn't seem to be a lot of that in recent Philippine history and politics lately.

Philippine nationalism and memories of our heroes are evidently fading ... isn't that just like being stuck in the middle of a dessert without a compass?