THE CITY government commemorated the 129th death anniversary of national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
Councilor J. Melchor Quitain Jr. led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument, City Hall grounds, along with government line agencies and consular representatives from Indonesia, Japan, and China, among others.
In a speech delivered by Acting Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Quitain said Filipinos must also make use of their talents and skills to uplift the community just as Rizal used his intellect and voice to serve humanity.
“Rizal’s martyrdom and the martyrdom of all our heroes helped awaken the collective consciousness of the Filipino people and ignited the flame of freedom, one that inspired our forefathers to stand firm for dignity, justice, and self-determination,” he said.
“As such, the Philippines became not just a place we live in today, but a nation, we are called to love, serve, and belong,” he added.
Brigadier General Christopher M. Diaz, commander of 103rd Infantry Raptor Brigade, 10th Infantry Division, who served as the keynote speaker, commemorated Rizal as the hero who advocated for reform through peaceful means.
“More than a hero, Rizal was like any of us, an ordinary Filipino, but what set him apart was his extraordinary sense of duty to fight for our nation, at a time when our honor and sovereignty were being taken away,” he said.
“His story, a reminder, especially for our soldiers, that heroism is not only about grand gestures, but the strength to go beyond oneself, and for the greater good of the many,” Diaz added.
Diaz urged people to remember the life and writings of Rizal not only in fighting and protecting our freedom, but also in confronting the challenges in the contemporary environment.
“He was a visionary, a man of immense courage and intellect, who believed in the power of knowledge to create change. His relentless pursuit of education and enlightenment set the stage for his crucial role in our nation’s history,” he said.
Diaz also reiterated the lines of Rizal “Ang Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan,” reminding to nurture and protect the youth.
“It is our collective duty to protect our young Dabawenyos from radicalization, violent extremism, and more so the illegal drugs. Let us invest in education, mentorship, and programs that will provide them with a better, safer and successful future,” he stressed.
