During the opening of classes in a provincial primary school, the teacher wanted to know how much the children in her class know about Dr. Jose Rizal.
So she asked: “Who is Jose Rizal? There was an immediate silence. It was only after quite a bit of time that a shaky little hand was raised. The 5th grader said: “Ma’am, baka sa ibang section nandoon siya. Wala po dito.” (He might belong to another section. He is not here.)
I am elated to hear that even in Australia, my ancestor is being honored. It is not surprising, but still to be very much appreciated that people in many places other than the Philippines think highly of him.
It seems that Dr. Jose Rizal is better known overseas than in his own country. Since the National Historical Institute declared [as national shrine] the residence of General Paciano Rizal, [older brother of Jose Rizal], I kept myself busy and made sure to be there when students visit the place. My intention was to educate these young people about our national hero who happens to be my grandfather.
It was General Paciano Rizal who financed the education of his younger brother when he studied abroad. He was also the one who opened the eyes of his brother on the abuses of the friars and the government that unjustly executed his good friend, Fr. Jose Burgos. Little is known that after his brother was executed at Bagumbayan, Paciano immediately went to Cavite to volunteer his services to the Katipunan. He was made a brigadier general by General Emilio Aguinaldo and fought not only against the Spaniards but also the Americans [during the Philippine-American war].
(Editor’s note: The author, Jose Rizal Lopez was a senior executive of Bank of America Manila Branch where he worked for more than 30 years. He is now 88 years old and lives in Manila.)