How Did Filipinos Celebrate the 158th Birth Anniversary Of Jose Rizal

On June 19, 1861, the Philippines’ National Hero was born. His name is José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda or Jose Rizal, an ophthalmologist, journalist, novelist, and revolutionist. Rizal is best known for fighting against the Spaniards through literature. This is very evident through what we know as  El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangerewhich ignited the Filipinos love for the country. His last work was entitled, Último adiós. Today marks the 158th birth anniversary of Jose Rizal. How do Filipinos commemorate this day?

3 ways Filipinos Celebrate Rizal’s Birthday

1. Commemoration Activities

As a way of remembering the sacrifices of our national hero, Filipinos visit his monument and leave flowers to somehow remember and thank him for he has done for the country.

158th Birth anniversary of Dr.Jose Rizal pic.twitter.com/euDIFOLw6c

— Wu wei (@reymarkgempis) June 19, 2019

Floral offering led by Mandaluyong City Lodge of Free & Accepted Mason in celebration of Dr. Jose Rizal’s 158th birth anniversary pic.twitter.com/Zipg2iHFIw

— MandaluyongPIO (@MandaluyongPIO) June 17, 2019

Private and government agencies lead the flag-raising ceremony followed by a short tribute for his nationalism. One of which was held at the Dapitan Park and Museum which was led by Gabriel M. Cad,  curator of the Rizal Shrine Dapitan Park and Museum. Jose Rizal University also conducted a commemoration activity led by Mr. Vincent K. Fabella.

EARLIER: A CELEBRATION FOR THE 158TH BIRTHDAY OF DR. JOSE RIZAL WAS CONDUCTED AT THE JOSE RIZAL UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, LEAD BY THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT, MR. VINCENT K. FABELLA pic.twitter.com/mvSXn5wqkd

— The Journal (@thejournal_JRU) June 19, 2019

2. Remembering our fallen hero through social media

To remember Rizal is to remember the value of nationalism.  But remembering is not only done through commemorating activities. Nowadays, everyone can participate thanks to social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, Filipinos also express their words and tweeted some memorable lines of Rizal.

Today, we celebrate our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s 158th birth anniversary! Let us all remember the sacrifices he made to fight for our country.#DrJoseRizal #WebFocusSolutions pic.twitter.com/Sw68iR1q3o

— WebFocus Solutions, Inc. (@webfocus_ph) June 19, 2019

Today, we celebrate the birth anniversary of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who took a total of 21 subjects in UST from the period of 1877-1882, among them the preparatory courses for Theology, Law, and Medicine, as well as the first four years of Medicine. pic.twitter.com/zHst4nla3M

— University of Santo Tomas (@UST1611official) June 19, 2019

“The Pen is mightier than the Sword”
The Man who sought equality and freedom for his people
The Man whose courage is unchallenged
The Man feared by the forces of Evil
The Pillar of Truth and Integrity
The Pride of the Malayan Race
The Hero
Dr. Jose Rizal#JoseRizal158th pic.twitter.com/dewSZsaDRZ

— ᑭᖇIᑎᑕE ᗯIᒪᒪIᗩᗰ (@Benevolent_Will) June 19, 2019

The Rizal Monument erected at Rizal Park in Manila was the work of Swiss sculptor Richard Kissling. Rizal’s memorials are also present in Singapore, Madrid, Hong Kong, Japan, Orlando, Alaska, Seattle, Texas, and Fujian. Happy birthday to the greatest Filipino hero, Dr. Jose Rizal pic.twitter.com/x7d2p3Ob2k

— Remus Mark Carballo 🏳️‍🌈 (@javalavamanila) June 19, 2019

Filipinos also voiced out how thankful they are. They also start to reflect on Rizal’s life and the sacrifices that have done for his country. But Filipinos are not the only ones giving thanks to Rizal, Google has made a doodle logo with Rizal in it. Here are some tweets.

Today, we celebrate the 158th birth anniversary of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Let us exemplify his patriotism as we strive to protect our freedom and assert our sovereignty. #Rizal158 pic.twitter.com/II8Gl2PWvv

— Kaya Natin! Movement (@KayaNatinPH) June 19, 2019

A man who lived a life full of courage and integrity, whose undying love for the country ignited a spark that united the Filipinos to start a revolution.

Today, we celebrate the birth of a hero that believed and hoped for our country.

Happy 158th Birthday Dr. Jose Rizal! pic.twitter.com/1bmOTzSrYu

— TOMCAT-UST (@TOMCATust) June 19, 2019

Happiest 158th birthday to the one of those greatest people who fought for the sake of our country’s independence. May your greatness always be remembered specially by the youth and aspire them to be really the hope of our Inang Bayan, Dr.Jose Rizal. pic.twitter.com/r6EltTAdTM

— dͩeͤiͥsᷤeͤrͬeͤeͤeͤeͤeͤeͤeͤ (@deiiiidc) June 18, 2019

3. Reliving Rizal’s Life

As a Filipino child, I grew up watching films or TV specials that talk about the independence of the Philippines or celebrations for heroes like Rizal. When days like this come, it is always on the local TV channels. The great thing about this is, I grew up knowing our national hero and what he did for the country. Up until this day, local TV Channels still have this tradition of showing films that have content related to our independence or even related to the national heroes we owe our “Kalayaan” to, especially Rizal, the one who ignited the flame of nationalism through his pen and paper.

The Philippine film industry continues to pursue the production of movies that have storylines related to the era of revolution of Filipinos and our National Heroes. Movies like —  El Presidente (2012), Heneral Luna (2015), Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis (2016), and Goyo (2018) still prove that we still have a lot to learn about our history and as a Filipino, we should patronize these kinds of film.