Nobility as used here means the character, virtue and internal quality of a person. It could refer to adjectives like worthy, generous, upright, honorable, virtuous, and magnanimous; it could also mean the state or quality of being (a) morally or spiritually good or (b) exalted in character. It is not used here to refer to a hereditary class with special social or political status, often derived from a feudal period, nor to persons belonging to a privileged social or political class, nor to inert gases.
Emilio Jacinto in the Kartilya ng Katipunan wrote that a life that is not dedicated to a noble cause is like a tree without a shade or a poisonous weed. He clarified that: (a) a deed lacks nobility if it is motivated by self-interest and not by a sincere desire to help; (b) a person with a noble character values honor above self-interest, while a person with a base character values self-interest above honor; and (c) to a person of honor, his/her word is a pledge. Andres Bonifacio’s Decalogue specified the “Duties of the Sons of the People” including, among others, the instruction: “Engrave in your heart that the true measure of honor and happiness is to die for the freedom of your country”.
By his life and works, Jose Rizal exhibited this nobility and honor. He described his life-mission as working for more liberty, more justice and more sacred rights of man in the Philippines. Rizal’s noble cause was to give more light that the people may be able to discern their own way, and if it were necessary, to shed his blood [spill my blood and tint your dawn] and die for the country [to fall that she may rise]. In letters to Blumentritt, he said he would rather give up his life for his people than remain in Europe to enjoy life there, and that he had to return to the Philippines to give an example not to fear death even if this may be terrible.
His strategic approach was education. In his Message to the Women of Malolos, he recommended: “Let us be reasonable and open our eyes, especially you women, because you are the ones who open the minds of men. Consider that a good mother is different from the one created by the Friars. Raise your children close to the image of the true God --- the God who cannot be bribed, the God who is not avaricious, the God who is the father of all, who is not partial, the God who does not fatten on the blood of the poor, who does not rejoice at the plaints of the afflicted, and does not obfuscate the intelligent mind. Awaken and prepare the mind of the child for every good and desirable idea --- love for honor, sincere and firm character, clear mind, clean conduct, noble action, love for one’s fellow men, respect for God --- teach this to your children. And because life is full of sorrows and perils, fortify their character against any difficulty, strengthen their hearts against any danger. The country should not expect honor and prosperity so long as the education of the child is defective, so long as the women who raise the children are enslaved and ignorant. Nothing can be drunk in a muddy and bitter fountain. No sweet fruit can be picked from a sour seed.”
Yes, by Bonifacio’s true measure, Rizal died for the freedom of his country and inspired his countrymen to work together, transcend debilitating in-fighting and lay the firm foundations for independence, even as he understood that the struggle for liberty (who gives favors only to the brave), justice and sacred rights of man must be bravely continued by new generations of Filipinos.
Dr. Jose Rizal showed the Filipino can be noble. “If the Filipino wills, he can” so he said.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment