My brother knights, ladies:
This get-together and leave-taking reminds me of Dr. Rizal in 1892, Hongkong. Remember, he was there practicing ophthalmology where he operated on his mother. Yet, the call to do more for Inang Bayan beckoned him to return to the Philippines, even though he had become an enemy to the Spanish colonial government on account of his Noli and Fili. Family and friends, fearful of what the authorities would do to him, counseled him not to go. He went any way, founded La Liga Filipina and ended up an exile in Dapitan. But before he left Hongkong, he wrote two “Letters to My Countrymen“, sealed them and entrusted them to a confidante, a certain Dr. Marquez, with the script: “Make these letters public after my death.”
One of these letters, in part, said: “Always have I loved our unhappy land, and I am sure that I shall continue loving it till my latest moment, in case men prove unjust to me. My career, my life, my happiness, all have I sacrificed for love of it. Whatever my fate, I shall die blessing it and longing for the dawn of its redemption.”
Now, my brothers and sisters, I cite this not to compare myself with Rizal and the circumstances then of his leaving Hongkong, as I am way too insignificant to be of any comparison, but simply because of two phrases that keep ringing and flashing, namely: “our unhappy land” and “dawn of its redemption”. These phrases stand out because our people’s sense: “of misery” and “of their being like valuables in the control of vested interests” remain unabated, that is why “going abroad” is still the dream of many.
Perhaps, together, these two phrases can serve as the guiding north stars, or the grand problems to solve, in the programs and projects this Chapter undertakes.
Let me wind up these short remarks with more positive words from Dr. Rizal, from the last stanza and chorus of “Hymn to Talisay”, a poem-song that he penned in Dapitan and which he made his pupils sing before class; incidentally, the Spanish military prosecutors, at his trial in 1896, used this poem as corroborative proof of Rizal’s being supposedly a subversive. In this poem Rizal allegorically used the name of the Talisay tree to refer to his Inang Bayan. Listen to his words, translated to English, and judge for yourselves:
Thank you very much, brother Knights and sister Ladies: generally, for your kindness, warmth, patience and consideration; and particularly, for this quickly yet efficiently organized wonderful despedida for Lady Betty and me.
And now, with your indulgence, as our conclusion, I would like to propose a toast. May I ask everyone to please stand up and raise their glasses.
Ladies and Knights: in light of the historic impeachment and conviction of former CJ Corona:
Remarks at AZKOR INC Despedida Dinner, June 7, 2012,
World Buffet, 8914 N 91st Ave # 130 Peoria, AZ 85345
This get-together and leave-taking reminds me of Dr. Rizal in 1892, Hongkong. Remember, he was there practicing ophthalmology where he operated on his mother. Yet, the call to do more for Inang Bayan beckoned him to return to the Philippines, even though he had become an enemy to the Spanish colonial government on account of his Noli and Fili. Family and friends, fearful of what the authorities would do to him, counseled him not to go. He went any way, founded La Liga Filipina and ended up an exile in Dapitan. But before he left Hongkong, he wrote two “Letters to My Countrymen“, sealed them and entrusted them to a confidante, a certain Dr. Marquez, with the script: “Make these letters public after my death.”
One of these letters, in part, said: “Always have I loved our unhappy land, and I am sure that I shall continue loving it till my latest moment, in case men prove unjust to me. My career, my life, my happiness, all have I sacrificed for love of it. Whatever my fate, I shall die blessing it and longing for the dawn of its redemption.”
Now, my brothers and sisters, I cite this not to compare myself with Rizal and the circumstances then of his leaving Hongkong, as I am way too insignificant to be of any comparison, but simply because of two phrases that keep ringing and flashing, namely: “our unhappy land” and “dawn of its redemption”. These phrases stand out because our people’s sense: “of misery” and “of their being like valuables in the control of vested interests” remain unabated, that is why “going abroad” is still the dream of many.
Perhaps, together, these two phrases can serve as the guiding north stars, or the grand problems to solve, in the programs and projects this Chapter undertakes.
Let me wind up these short remarks with more positive words from Dr. Rizal, from the last stanza and chorus of “Hymn to Talisay”, a poem-song that he penned in Dapitan and which he made his pupils sing before class; incidentally, the Spanish military prosecutors, at his trial in 1896, used this poem as corroborative proof of Rizal’s being supposedly a subversive. In this poem Rizal allegorically used the name of the Talisay tree to refer to his Inang Bayan. Listen to his words, translated to English, and judge for yourselves:
“Live, live, Talisay rich with verdure!
In chorus, all our voices thee praise:
bright star, precious and valued treasure,
of childhood's true learning and solace.
In fights and struggles awaiting man,
subject to sorrow, grief and unease
your mem’ry shall be his talisman;
in the tomb, your name shall be his peace.”
“Hail, Talisay!
Firm and constant,
always forward,
you shall prosper.
And, triumphant,
all elements -
sea, land and air:
you shall master!”
Thank you very much, brother Knights and sister Ladies: generally, for your kindness, warmth, patience and consideration; and particularly, for this quickly yet efficiently organized wonderful despedida for Lady Betty and me.
And now, with your indulgence, as our conclusion, I would like to propose a toast. May I ask everyone to please stand up and raise their glasses.
Ladies and Knights: in light of the historic impeachment and conviction of former CJ Corona:
“Here’s to Dr. Rizal’s magnificent obsession:
a Morally and Materially Prosperous Philippines!
Mabuhay!”
_____________________________________Remarks at AZKOR INC Despedida Dinner, June 7, 2012,
World Buffet, 8914 N 91st Ave # 130 Peoria, AZ 85345
