UNCONQUERED AND UNCONQUERABLE*

The Government of the City of Dapitan, led by the Esteemed and ever-beautiful Mayor Patri Bajamunde Chan together with the Vice Mayor and the City Sanggunian; my brothers Sirs Knights of the Order of Rizal and their Ladies present; our brothers the Free Masons; mga Kapatid sa “Kaharian ng Dios” (The Kingdom of God); young people in whom Dr. Rizal reposed his faith as the hope of the fatherland; Col. Almaria at mga Kawal ng Sambayanang Pilipino, thank you for giving flawless arrival honors; Friends, Family, Ladies and Gentlemen in this great Rizalian City of Dapitan:

This year’s theme is – 
“Rizal 2012:  Ehemplo ng Sambayan sa Tuwid na Daan”

                  “ - The People’s Example in the Straight Way”

                  “ - Sulundun sa Katawhan sa Tul-id nga Dalan”

We have a question about this theme, which is: Considering the God-given uniqueness of each of us that necessarily prevents our becoming photocopies of the national hero, which example of Rizal and his life and works should we keep in mind to make “tul-id nga dalan” the prevailing pattern of behavior in our society?

It is said that a formula for change is ISDA = R. 

I    implies IDEAS, beliefs, thoughts;

S   stands for SPEECH or spoken word whose vibration is creation, like: “and God said ‘let there be light’ and there was light”;

D   denotes DESIRE in the sense of positive aspirations undergirded by optimistic emotions as expressions of what comes from the Father [De Sire], not of the limiting, ego- and body- focused sense of craving, coveting, longing, lusting, needing, yearning; and

A  adds up to ACTIONS from an enlightened and decisive will, oriented to outcomes and results.

R  then, realizes RESULTS, the transformations of old to new realities, missions accomplished, fulfillments, consequences, attainments, achievements.

Using this ISDA=R formula, I submit the straight, tuwid, and tul-id way or desired result, might be another R or the Righteous way.

Moreover, since Ideas serve as the springboard for Speech, Desire, and Action, we might want to consider some writings of Dr. Jose Rizal for great ideas.

Fortunately for us, we stand on hallowed ground in this Shrine. In Rizal’s time here, there - near the Casa Cuadrada or pupil’s dorm and workshop - stood a majestic Talisay tree under which he taught them. Let’s imagine for a moment: we are here witnessing Rizal and his boys singing the Himno before starting their lessons, as we tried to do earlier…

He wrote the “Himno a Talisay” sometime in October 1895 to honor that Talisay tree by giving its name the allegory of our home country.

What intrigues me about this piece is its lack of negative, obstacle-laden, or “kawawa” (piteous) language; rather, it focuses on and celebrates the innate strengths and capabilities of Filipinos in dealing with life’s challenges successfully.

I tried to translate the Spanish original into English, Filipino, and Cebuano, which is not discriminatory of other Filipino ethno-linguistic groups at all; it merely shows my limitations in regard to other Filipino languages; and is in fact a cry for help from other Filipinos to translate this Himno into their own native tongues.

Translation and interpretation are crucial to understanding. What we perceive is actually what we believe we perceive. There is no meaning to anything, except the meaning we give it. To truly appreciate “Himno a Talisay”, it is good to check on our own interpretations.

In the interest of keeping this presentation short and hopefully sweet, may I just read some portions of the English translation, and perhaps the Cebuano, to show the positive substance of this thought-package from Rizal.

The complete “Himno a Talisay” divided into quatrains (4 lines) and translated into English, Filipino/Tagalog, and Visayan-Cebuano, is presented below.

Let me start by giving you the Cebuano translation of the first two paragraphs we just practiced singing:

I

De Dapitan la playa arenosa 
y las rocas del monte encumbrado 
son tu trono, ¡oh asilo sagrado! 

donde paso mi tierna niñez.

From Dapitan’s beach and shore of sand

and the craggy rocks on mountain high

are your throne, O sacred sanctuary!

where I passed my tender childhood times.

Mula mabuhanging dalampasigan ng Dapitan
at sa matayog na bundok na may malalaking bato

ang siyang trono ninyo, o sagrado santuario!
saan lumipas ang aking maagang kabataan.

 

Gikan sa Dapitanong baybayon nga balasnon

ug sa habog nga bukid nga may dagkong bato

maoy imong trono, o sagradong asilo!

hain mi-agi ang akong sayong kabatan-on.

II                                            

En tu valle que esmaltan las flores  
y sombrea frutal arboleda,   
nuestra mente formada se queda,
con el cuerpo nuestro el alma la vez.  

In your valley gilded with blooms grand,

and shade and fruiting trees growing nigh;

our fully formed minds there do tarry,

with our own body and soul betimes.

Sa inyong libis na, ng mga bulaklak, ay pinalamutian
mga punong pang-prutas at pang-palilim gayon man,

ang maysangkap nang kaisipan namin ay nagpapa-iwan,
kasama ang aming katawan at kaluluwa, minsanan.

Sa imong walog nga sa mga bulak gipa-anyag,

apil mga bungahoy ug kahoy naghatag kalandong,

naga-pabilin among panghuna-hunang hamtong,

usahay, kuyog ang among mga lawas ug kalag.

(This is how Dr. Rizal viewed Inang Bayan as Talisay: sacred sanctuary, where mind, soul, and body, remain from time to time.)

III

Somos niños, pues tarde nacimos,
mas el alma tenemos lozana, 
y hombres fuertes serémos mañana
que sabrán sus familias guardar.

We are children who, though born quite late,
have souls with vigorous character;

strong men we shall be in the future

who’ll know how to guard their families.

Mga bata kaming ang pagkasilang naantala man,

may kaluluwa’t isip na taglay kalusugan, kalakasan

at magiging mga taong malakas kami kinabukasan
na marunong magbantay sa kanilang mga angkan.

Mga bata kaming bisan nalangan paghimugso

among mga espiritu kusgan ug mabaskugon;

ug ugma, mahimo ming mga lalaking lig-on,

nga pagpanalipod sa ilang mga banay mahibalo.

IV

Somos niños que nada intimida
ni las olas, ni el baguio, ni el trueno;
pronto el brazo y el rostro sereno   
en el trance sabrémos luchar. 

Children who, none can intimidate:
not waves, nor hurricane, nor thunder;
with speedy arm and serene feature,          

we can fight when in difficulties
 

Mga bata na walang makapag-patakot anuman,
mga alon, bagyo at unos o matinding kulog man;

may mabibilis na bisig at mukhang mapayapa,

kung magkagipitan, marunong kaming lumaban.

Mga batang walay bisag unsang makapa-kurog:

dagkong balod man, unos, o kusog nga dalugdog;
may mga buktong abtik ug bugnaw nga dagway,

kung magkalisod, kahibalo ming makig-away.

V

Nuestros juegos la arena revuelven;
recorremos los antros, las breñas;
nuestras casas están sobre peñas,
nuestras armas alcanzan doquier.

Our games stir up and scramble the sand,

caves and shrubs we scrutinize in time,

on big solid rocks our houses stand,

our arms reach anywhere, anytime.

(For our soldiers: can you imagine an AFP whose arms can reach anywhere, anytime?)

Mga laro namin nagpapakalikot sa mga buhangin;

sinusuri’t sinisiyasat namin mga yungib at palumpong;

mga bahay namin sa malalaking bato’y nakatuntong,

makakaabot saanman at kailanman, mga bisig namin.

Among mga dula sa mga balas nagapa-alintabo,

ginasuriksurik namo mga langob, mga kalibonan,
mga balay namo nanagtindog sa dagkong bato,

mga bukton namo makaabot bisag asa, bisag kanus-a.

VI

No hay tinieblas, no hay noches oscuras
que temamos, ni fiera tormenta, 
y si el mismo Luzbel se presenta,
muerto ó vivo cogido ha de ser.

There is no darkness, no pitch black night,

nor fierce storm or typhoon that we dread;
and should Satan himself come to sight,
he shall be captured alive or dead. 

Walang kadiliman, walang gabi na sa itim sukdulan,

o bagyong napakalakas, na aming kinatatakutan,

at kung si Lucifer mismo ay lumabas, lumitaw,

siya’y mahuhuli maging buhay o patay man.

Walay kadulom, walay gabi-ing kinangitngitan,
o bangis nga unos, nga among gikahadlukan;

ug kung si Lusiper mismo mopakita, mopatim-aw,
buhi o patay, siguro siyang masikop ug madakpan.

(Note: Here, there is no fatalistic or defeatist “ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo”, which in general reflects the sense of an advance acceptance of defeat, justified by the so-called “brave logic” of being ready to die for country. Dying is easy! Surviving and prevailing is hard and is really what matters as a rule, even as the exceptional noble sacrifice of one’s life that others may live is the stuff of heroes and saints.  Here, Dr. Rizal brings out the fact that each of us has an overcoming and conquering spirit that seizes even a Satan should he ever try trampling on us. It does not mean we can never be hurt or suffer setbacks; it means we have the power to stand up and correct ourselves every time we fall or commit mistakes; for our failures or wrong turns are not invitations to stay down or stay in the wrong course, but rather invitations to rise up and start again or to adjust our direction and follow the right course!)

VII 

Talisaynon nos llama la gente, 
alma grande en un cuerpo chiquito,
que en Dapitan y en todo el distrito,
no ha tenido Talisay su par.

The people call us Talisaynon:

great soul in less large constitution,

that in Dapitan and its region

Talisay has no competition.

Talisaynon, ang tawag sa amin ng katauhan,

maharlikang kaluluwa sa katawang di-kalakhan,

na sa Dapitan at sa buong lawak ng distrito,

ang Talisay di nagkaroon ng kanyang kapareho.

Talisaynon ang tawag kanamo sa mga tawo,

hamiling diwa sa lawas nga di kaayo dagko,

nga sa Dapitan ug sa tibuok niyang distrito,

sa Talisay, way maka-tandi o maka-pariho.

VIII

Nuestro estanque no tiene rivales,
nuestro salto es abismo profundo,
y remando no hay banca en el mundo
que un momento nos pueda pasar.

Our pond or lake has no contender;

our dive is a very deep abyss;

rowing, the world has no outrigger

that instantly can pass us with wiss.

Walang kapangagaw ang aming lawa,
ubod ng lalim ang aming sisid-talunan,

at sa pagsasagwan, ang daigdig walang bangka
na sa iglap ay sa amin makalampas, makadaan.

           

Way kaindig o karibal ang among lanaw,

among dayib ug sawom, halawom nga bung-aw;
sa pagbugsay, ang kalibutan way bangka nga

sa usa ka gutlo kanamo maka-abot, maka-una.

IX

Los problemas de ciencias exactas,
de la patria la historia estudiamos,
tres y cuatro lenguajes hablamos
acordando la fe y la razón.

We study exact science challenges

and the history of our country;

we talk in three and four languages,

making both faith and reason agree.

Mga problema ng mga tumpak na agham,
at kasaysayan ng bayan, aming ina-alam,

sinasalita namin tatlo at apat na mga wika,

pinagkakasundo: pananalig at lohika.

Mga problema sa mga saktong syensya

ug ang kaagi sa atong nasud, among ginatun-an;

among ginasulti, tulo ug upat ka pinulongan,

gihimong magka-sabot: pagtuo ug rason.

(You see, in Rizal’s view, there is no irreconciliable problem between faith and reason…)

X

Nuestros brazos manejan á un tiempo
el cuchillo, la pluma, la azada,
la piqueta, el fusil, y la espada,
compañero del fuerte varón.

Our arms wield with skill and fine accord

the knife, the pen, the gardening hoe,

the pickaxe, the rifle, and the sword -

companion of the strong fellow.

Mga bisig namin sanay at bihasa sa paghawak 

ng talim-balisong, pluma-panulat, asarol-asada,

piko-palakol, sandatang pumuputok, at ispada-tabak,
ng lalaking matipuno’t malakas, ay siyang kasama.  

Mga bukton namo batid ug hanas mogunit
sa kutsilyo-daga, igsusulat-bolpen, bunglay-sarol,

piko-atsa, bakal-pusil, espada-kampilan

kauban sa lalaking lig-on ug kusgan.

XI

¡Vive, vive, frondoso Talisay!
Nuestras voces te ensalcen á coro,
clara estrella, preciado tesoro,
de la infancia doctrina y solaz.

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.

Mabuhay, mabuhay ka, Talisay: madahon at luntian!

sa koro ng mga boses namin ikaw ay pinagpa-purihan:

bituing maliwanag, kayamanang mahalaga,
tutoong kaalaman at kandungan sa pagkabata.

Mabuhi, mabuhi ka, dahonung Talisay!

Sa kuro among tingog nagadayeg kanimo:

bituong masanagon, bahanding bililhon,

tinun-ang tinuod ug konsuwelo sa kabatan-on.

XII

En las luchas que aguardan al hombre, 
á pesares y duelos sujeto,
tu memoria sera su amuleto,
y en la tumba, tu nombre, su paz.

In fights and struggles awaiting man,

subject to sorrow, grief, unease -

your mem’ry shall be his talisman;

and in the tomb, your name, his peace.

Sa mga paghahamok na sa tao’y nalalaan,

na sinasamahan ng kalungkutan at pagdurusa,

alaala mo ay magiging kanyang agimat at mutya,

at sa libingan, pangalan mo, kanyang kapayapaan.

Sa mga pakigbisog nga sa tawo nagahulat,

nga may dalang kagul-anan ug kasub-anan,

imong handurawan maoy mahimo niyang dagon,
ug sa lubnganan, imong ngalan, iyang kalinawan.

CORO:                                                                                   

¡Salve, Talisay!
Firme y constante,
siempre adelante
tú marcharás.
¡Tú, victorioso,
todo elemento,
mar, tierra, y viento,
dominarás!  

CHORUS:
Be safe, Talisay!

Firm and constant,

always forward

you shall march.

You, triumphant,

every element -

sea, land, and air:
you shall master!

Maligtas ka, Talisay!

Matatag at walang tigil,

palaging pasulong,

ikaw ay lalakad.

Ikaw, matagumpay,
lahat ng elemento -
dagat, lupa, at hangin,

iyong mapapasunod!

Maluwas ka, Talisay!
Timgas ug makanunayon,

punayng padayon,

ikaw maga-lakaw.

Ikaw, madaugon,

tanang elemento –

dagat, yuta, ug hangin:

imong ma-domina!

                                  

So what is our answer to the question at the outset?

We might want to start with embracing, implanting in our hearts, and nurturing Rizal’s grand ideas in his Hymn to Talisay. Then we can recite, repeat, speak, utter, and vocalize them. For good, let's desire and delight in their meaning and substance, and act on them.

We might be surprised to find something great as a result: such as the true liberation of the Filipino from fears and craven attitudes, enabling him to stand free, respectful of himself and of fellow Filipinos, and respected by others precisely because he knows how to fight when it is right, and forges on: firme y constante, siempre adelante; timgas ug makanunayon, punayng padayon; matatag at walang tigil, palaging pasulong.  And triumphantly dominates the elements!

Let’s remember: the “Himno a Talisay” was viewed by the Iberian colonizers and their local stooges as proof of Dr. Rizal’s supposedly subversive and disloyal character as a colonial subject of Spain. Hence, it was submitted as evidence by the prosecutor in Rizal’s military trial that led to his December 30, 1896 martyrdom, which we now commemorate. 

What did they fear from this Himno? I think they feared that the “true liberation of the Filipino shall come to pass”. So let their fear be our reality in the continuing today!

In choosing then the unique steps we each must take to help establish a critical mass of actions and behaviors supportive of righteousness in our country, let’s take into account the Talisaynon frame of mind: unconquered and unconquerable - emanating from the One Spirit of sons and daughters of God, all made in His Image – eternal, free, unconditional, and unlimited Love!

Verily, as we - the Knights of Rizal – declare: “non omnis moriar!” (not all of me shall die!)

Daghan kaayong salamat.

_________________

*Edited Text of Address (most of the letters in bold were spoken) given on 30 December 2012 at the Rizal Shrine, Dapitan City, by Sir Edwin D. Bael, KCR, former Consul General of the Philippines in Los Angeles, California, and currently a practicing attorney and business consultant based in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines.