AND WHEN MY GRAVE IS
WHOLLY UNREMEMBERED…
A Collection of Speeches, Essays, and Poems
On
Dr. Jose P. Rizal
By
Rado Gatchalian
A PDF 1st Edition Version
24 December 2022
Sydney, Australia
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i.
ii.
Introduction
Dedication and Pasasalamat
3
4
I.
Hindi Ang Lahat Sa Akin Ay Papanaw (A Monologue)
8
II.
A Short Biography of Dr. Jose P. Rizal
12
III.
The Birth of a Filipino and a Country
15
IV.
Ang Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan
18
V.
The Irrelevant Rizal
23
VI.
A True Rizalist
26
VII.
Rizal the Superstar
29
VIII.
May Agimat pa ba ang Pangalang Rizal?
34
IX.
Rizal 102: Jose Rizal, The Greatest Filipino, in the Modern Age
37
X.
A Rizalian Birth
40
XI.
Rizalist Reflections
42
XII.
RIZALIANA
A. Finding the Light of a Knight
B. Ang Kasaysayan ay Isang Paghuhukay
C. Mi Ultimo Adios
D. More than a Stone, We need Love
47
53
57
60
XIII.
Writings Published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Other Newspapers
A. Rizal lives on in every Filipino
B. If Jose Rizal did not die on Dec. 30, 1896…
C. Rizal or Bonifacio? There should be no competition
D. For a more enlightened nation, let’s read Rizal
E. Rizal 101: Remembering the man
65
67
70
73
75
XIV.
Mga Tula
1. Hindi Lahat Sa Iyo’y Papanaw
2. Kung ang bawat Pilipino ay Katulad lamang ng Rebultong ito
3. Rizal
4. Luwalhati
5. Liham para sa Kababaihang Pilipina
80
81
82
85
86
1|Page
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
Minamahal Kong O-Sei-San
O Sei San, Iisang Buwan (ni Sir Alwyn Galela)
Sa Aking mga Kababata
Kung Paanong ang Pag-ibig ay Muling Sumibol
Aming Dakilang Bayani
Isang Piso
Ang Larawan ni Pepe
Adios Patria Adorada
Pitasin Mo Ang Aking Pag-ibig
Liga Pagkakaisa
Ang Huling Habilin
Ang Paghahanap Kay Crispin
Ang Paghahanap Lay Basilio
Ang Paghahanap Kay Sisa
Ang Pagkikita nina Sisa, Basilio, at Crispin
Sa Dapitan
Paalam Aking Sinta
Ang Aking Maria Clara
Saan Ka Aking Mahal (ni Sir Alwyn Galela)
Bagong Bayani
Lumang Pahina
Ang Lampara
Bagumbayan
Estatwa
Bayani
Unang Pilipino
Francisco
Awit ng Makata
Isang Piso
Para kay Pepe
Muli, Para Sa Iyo
About the Author
A. Who is Rado Gatchalian?
By Hedda Tady (based in Bangkok, Thailand)
and Sandy Lalata (based in California, USA)
B. Dissecting Rado Gatchalian by Marz Cavestany, PhD
89
90
91
92
93
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
2|Page
INTRODUCTION
Y cuando ya mi tumba de todos olvidada
No tenga cruz ni piedra que marquen su lugar,
Deja que la are el hombre, la esparza con la azada,
Y mis cenizas antes que vuelvan á la nada,
El polvo de tu alfombra que vayan á formar.
~ Jose Rizal, Mi Ultimo Adios, 11th stanza
At kapag ang libingan ko’y nalimutan na ng madla
Walang dipa, maging bato kabakasan niyong tanda,
Bayaan mong bungkalin na’t isabog ng maglulupa’t
Ang abo ko bago sana mapabalik man sa wala
Sa malambot mong tuntunga’y mapalatag munang sadya.
~ Translated by Guillermo E. Tolentino
And when my grave is wholly unremembered
And unlocated (no cross upon it, no stone there plain):
Let the site be wracked by the plow and cracked by the spade
And let my ashes, before they vanish to nothing,
As dust be formed a part of your carpet again.
~ Translated by Nick Joaquin
With the volume of writings compiled here, I feel there is no more I need to say other than to
remember and celebrate the greatness of this remarkable man in the history of mankind, Dr. Jose P.
Rizal, with these gifts of insights and poems that I hope will endure time and inspire our future
generations and youth.
As the chosen title of this book “And when my grave is wholly unremembered,” from Rizal’s Mi Ultimo
Adios, translated by Nick Joaquin, it is my sincerest prayer that before we depart this world that we
remember in our lifetime the life, death, heroism, works, and teachings of Rizal.
We remember it meaningfully through our genuine service to humanity – with our talents, resources,
time, and skills, however humble it is.
As we read the speeches, essays, and poems in this collection: my hope is that you will be encouraged
as well to live a meaningful life, inspired by the life and teachings of our hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
Non Omnis Moriar.
Rado Gatchalian
24 December 2022
Sydney, Australia
3|Page
DEDICATION AND PASASALAMAT
Dedicated to the Filipino Youth and to my fellow brother Knights of Rizal.
Lovingly dedicated to my two children Jostein Emmanuel and Ayn Rand Shanti!
I would like to thank the following people and groups, in no particular order, but this is not a complete
list – so, please accept my apology if I missed anyone. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!
The Order of the Knights of Rizal - IHQ
Currently headed by Supreme Commander Sir Gerardo V. Calderon, KGCR
The Order of the Knights of Rizal ANZO Region
Currently headed by Regional Commander Sir Ralph Posadas, KCR
(Thank you to all my fellow Knights in ANZO Region)
Northern Sydney Chapter – Knights of Rizal
Currently headed by Chapter Commander Sir Arturo Marco de Guia, KCR
Sir Bob Alipalo, KCR
Currently the Eastern Australia Area Commander
(Thank you for “birthing” me in the Order)
Sir Felipe Ranoso, KGOR
(Thank you as my very first KOR “godfather.”)
Sir Danny Peralta, KGOR
Supreme Auditor, KOR IHQ
Sir Cesar Bartolome, KGOR
Past Regional Commander, KOR ANZO Region
Incumbent President of the Philippine Community Council of New South Wales
Philippine Embassy in Australia
H.E. Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega
Philippine Consulate General – Sydney
Sentro Rizal Sydney
Consul Melanie Diano
Mam Nova Labro De Lara
Philippine Community Council of New South Wales
Currently headed by Mr. Cesar Bartolome
Alric Bulseco, Past President
4|Page
Kababaihang Rizalista – Sydney Chapter
Currently headed by Lady Michelle Baltazar, KRI
Atty. Linda Geronimo
Past Blacktown City Councilor
Sir Fiel Santos, KGOR
Ambeth R. Ocampo
Historian
Dr. Floro C. Quibuyen
Historian
Josephine Quintero
Great granddaughter of Jose Rizal’s youngest sister Soledad Rizal
Rizal Park Movement of Campbelltown
Currently headed by Sir Max Lopez, KCR
(Past Deputy Regional Commander – KOR ANZO Region)
Rey Manoto, Campbelltown City Councilor
Lady Lourdes Kaiser, KRI, Founding President
Dr Elsa Collado, Vice-President
Hedda Tady
Rise Pilipino
Based in Bangkok, Thailand
(Thank you for reading our Rizal Love Poems and for all the projects we did)
Sandy Lalata
Based in California, USA
Sir Alwyn Galela, KGOR
Musing of the Knights of Rizal
(Thank you for our collaboration with Rizal Love Poems)
Sir Gerard Bumanglag, KCR
Tanjay City Chapter - KOR
Sir Felipe Dolloso, KR
(Thank you for reading Hindi Ang Lahat Sa Akin Ay Papanaw)
Rene Tinapay
TulaMusika
(Thank you for transforming my poems into songs)
Joffre Balce
Secretary, Association for Good Government
5|Page
The Philippine Daily Inquirer
The Southeast Asian Times
Munting Nayon
Phil Saraspe
RandomTales
DJ Sir Yuwie Norberto Relador Mandin, Jr.
Canadian Pinoy Radio-Montreal
Evelyn Zaragoza
Marz Cavestany, PhD
The Philippine Community Herald Newspaper
Nonoy Perdon
Bayanihan News
Australian Filipina
Michelle Baltazar
Violi Calvert
Violi Calvert
Criz Guce
Andrew Russell
Ery Rivera
Grazie Panlican
Radio Tagumpay
Jhun Salazar
Radio Tamaraw
Annalyn Violata
SBS Filipino Radio
Serna Ladia
Radio Sandigan
Arlan Fajardo
Pinoy Ako, Pinoy Tayo
Tagalog Association of Australia
Currently headed by Lillian de los Reyes
One Pangasinan Association of Australia
Jojo Laquian, Past President
6|Page
Filipino Sports Arts and Recreational Club
Councilor Carol Israel, co-founder
Daisy Ann Gonzalez-Cumming
Painter and Philanthropist
Gil Tabucanon
Author
Atty. Jun Relunia, OAM
Philippine Australian Society for Senior Citizens, Inc.
Filipino Language School of Canberra
Kotch Velasquez
Jerry Camadic
Urdaneta City University, Philippines
(Thank you for using my poems in your Rizal subject)
Joel Cerezo
Creative Montessori Centre, Lyceum Northwestern University, Philippines
(Thank you for using my poems in Poetry Competition)
7|Page
I
HINDI ANG LAHAT
SA AKIN
AY PAPANAW
8|Page
HINDI ANG LAHAT SA AKIN AY PAPANAW
Isang monologue sa panulat ni
Rado Gatchalian, KOR
OKOR ANZO Eastern Australia Area Deputy Commander
Archivist, KOR Northern Sydney Chapter
Sa pagbasa ni
Sir FELINO DOLLOSO, KR
Archivist, KOR Western Sydney Chapter
(Ito ay unang lumabas sa Facebook page ng Order of the Knights of Rizal Northern Sydney Chapter.
11 November 2022)
Malamig ang gabi at maging ang mga balikat at tuhod kong napagod sa maghapon ay nanginginig nang
walang pasubali. Kailangan kong painitin ang katawan kong nakikisuyo sa walang kamatayang alamat
ng buwan.
Subalit tinatanong ko ang aking sarili: Paanong mula sa simula ng daigdig hanggang ngayon ay
nananatiling buhay, at sariwa, ang kapangyarihan at ganda ng buwan? Lalo na sa kabilugang buwan,
halos ang buong gabi ay napapasakop sa taglay nitong agimat. Maging ang lahat ng mga bituin at mga
ulap ay yumuyuko at nananampalataya sa taglay nitong liwanag na masisilayan mula rito hanggang
doon!
Ngunit...
Aking sinusuntok ang sarili kong kamao sa kamang nakikiusap na ipikit ko na ang aking mga matang
pagod subalit hindi mapanatag ang aking kaluluwang halos sinapian ng kung ano mang ispiritu mula
sa liwanag ng buwang dungaw ko sa bintana.
AKO RIN BA’Y MANANATILING BUHAY KAHIT AKO’Y PUMANAW?
Ano ang kapangyarihang iiwan ko sa ating mundong naninikip ang dibdib at naghahanap ng
pagmamahal?
TOTOO BANG HINDI ANG LAHAT SA AKIN AY PAPANAW?
Alam kong sa mga darating na taon, mauubos din ang aking lakas. Manghihina. Tatanda.
Makakalimutan din ako. Walang silbi.
Mamamatay...
Hindi ako gaya ng buwan at mga bituin na mananatili nang matagal ang kinang sa kalawakan.
Isa lamang akong napakaliit na tuldok, alikabok, sa napakalawak na kalawakan!
MAY SILBI AT HALAGA BA AKO???
9|Page
Sa aking kamatayan — sisimutin ako ng mga uod at magbabalik sa lupang inapakan ko nang matagal.
Pero kahit ano pala ang nakamit ko sa buhay maninikluhod pa rin ako at mas makapangyarihan pa rin
ang Lupa.
PAPANAW BA ANG LAHAT SA AKIN?
HINDI. HINDI LAHAT.
ITO ANG AKING PAKIUSAP. ITO ANG AKING PANINIWALA. ITO ANG AKING TUGON AT
PANANAMPALATAYA.
Marahil sa mga darating na panahon pagkatapos akong maging hanging yayakap sa bagong kabataan,
o kaya’y maging isang pataba ng mga pananim, o maging ulan na babalik sa lupa... Marahil, hindi man
ako muling makita pa ay...
Maaalala pa rin ang aking mga
iniwang pangarap sa mundong
ginagalawan natin.
Ang aking pangarap lamang ay
ang lumigaya ang lahat. Ang
pagkapantay-pantay,
walang
mayaman, walang mahirap. Ang
masupil
ang
pang-aapi,
kasamaan, at kahirapan. Ang
katarungan para sa lahat lalo na
ang mga dukha at walang tinig.
Ang katiwasayan ng ating
Lupang
Hinirang.
Ang
kapayapaan sa bayan at mundo.
Ang kaliwanagan ng pag-iisip ng
bawat nilalang. Edukasyon.
Karunungan. Kalayaan.
At higit sa lahat, PAG-IBIG.
Maaalala pa rin ba ang
pagmamahal ko sa kapwa? Sa
aking magulang, kapatid, mga
anak, kaibigan, at kababayan?
HINDI KO ALAM.
Pero sa binigay kong yakap at aruga, sa iiwan kong mga panulat — sa aking mga sanaysay at tula — at
kung mamarapatin ng gulong ng palad, nawa’y manatili sa daigdig ang buhay, kasaysayan, at
panitikang aking iiwan.
NAKATAKDA BA ANG LAHAT?
10 | P a g e
Nakatakdang mabuhay, umibig, mamaalam, pumanaw, at mabuhay muli — hindi man ng laman
subalit ng alaala.
ITO ANG KAPANGYARIHAN. ITO ANG AGIMAT. AT MANANATILING ALAMAT NA BUBUHAYING MULI
NG MGA SUSUNOD NA SALINLAHI.
Subalit...
Kailangan ko nang itulog. Kahit ilang oras lang. Wala na ang buwan! Maya-maya ay sisikat na ang
haring araw.
Paalam.
Subalit sa pagsapit ng umaga — babatiin ko kayong lahat na parang isang namumukadkad na bulaklak
sa hardin...
May halimuyak.
May ganda.
May liwanag.
May buhay.
May pag-asa.
Totoong hindi ang lahat sa akin, sa atin, ay papanaw.
11 | P a g e
II
A SHORT BIOGRAPHY
OF
DR. JOSE P. RIZAL
12 | P a g e
A SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF
DR. JOSE P. RIZAL
Written by Rado Gatchalian, KOR
Knights of Rizal — Northern Sydney Chapter
(This was first published in The FILOsopher
FB group, 30 August 2021; and the
Bayanihan News, 30 August 2021)
In the history of the Philippines and among
Filipinos, past and present, there is but one
man of great importance as an icon of the
nation and perhaps the heart and soul and
(re)birth of this country - Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
Jose Rizal was born on 19 June 1861 in
Calamba, Laguna.
But more than his birth, it was his death, his
martyrdom, on 30 December 1896 that
truly sparked the “birth” of the Philippines
as a free country. His death, and his great
productive life, inspired many Filipinos to
dedicate a life of excellence and service to
the country and humanity.
Rizal was shot to death at Bagumbayan - now known as the Luneta Park in Manila - for inciting
rebellion: a false accusation. Nevertheless, that fed the aim of the tyrannical colonizers. His two novels
Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not; also known as The Social Cancer) and El Filibusterismo (The Reign of
Greed) propelled him to become an enemy of the Church and the colonizing State.
However, he fought for reforms, and not revolution, for the Philippines.
Rizal was a man of vision. Thus, he knew that only through education that the Philippines can be truly
free. This was his call for reformation - to give equality and opportunities to Filipinos.
His writings were indeed a work of a renaissance man, an enlightened.
His genius was rooted from a very early age and with the help of his mother, Teodora Alonso, as his
first teacher. Blessed with supportive and educated parents and a rich family, Jose Rizal was able to
maximise his potential and talents. This enabled him to continue his studies in Madrid, Spain.
To appreciate his great talents, one must realise that during his time (1861-1896) not many were given
opportunities to study abroad and to travel to different parts of the world. Even in this contemporary
period, not everyone is given a chance to study in prestigious universities in Europe and to have the
luxury of enjoying a life of travel. But Jose Rizal did.
13 | P a g e
However, the most important and special part – Jose Rizal did it with a noble cause: for his country
and humanity. He was selfless. This is what differentiates Jose Rizal from the rest of his contemporaries
and to many Filipinos, past and present.
He dedicated his life – in whatever circumstances – for his country and for the people. When he was
exiled in Dapitan, he has proven a resilient life worth remembering. Although it was an isolated island,
he pursued a pragmatic life serving the community and his fellowmen. He built an irrigation, a
Philippine map in the park, and a clinic and school for the people.
What a great and remarkable man and Filipino!
Jose Rizal was an ophthalmologist by profession. In fact, he studied this so that he could personally
perform the eye surgery of his mother.
Attached to his names are many other professions and accolades such as: writer, poet, novelist,
nationalist, scientist, inventor, sculptor, farmer, historian, and so on.
But above all, there is one certain attribute that marked him as a great Filipino – his unquestionable
dedication and passion to live and die for his country. And this is what makes him “alive” until now –
his legacy and virtues present in those men and women who continue to emulate him, among whom
the Order of the Knights of Rizal is one…
14 | P a g e
III
THE BIRTH OF A
FILIPINO
AND A
COUNTRY
15 | P a g e
THE BIRTH OF A FILIPINO AND A COUNTRY
By Rado Gatchalian
(First published in Rizaliana Corner: A Rizalist Reflection FB page. 19 June 2022)
Jose P. Rizal, born on June 19, 1861, in
Calamba, Laguna, is one great Filipino
who exemplifies the ideal man, with a
sense of purpose and meaning. With
great multitudes of his achievements in
life, he serves as a perfect model for a life
well-lived, not just for Filipinos, but for
all nationalities. The Filipino race must
be so proud for producing a man like
Rizal in a time when our country was
oppressed and abused by a coloniser
Spain.
It must have been difficult for him to
speak and write against Spain during his
lifetime, but when we read his works, he
made it appear like it was so easy. When
we read the pages of Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo, he bravely exposed
the abuses of the friars and the sad stories of Sisa, Crispin, and Basilio. Not everyone could do what
he did. Not everyone would have the inner courage like Rizal. Not everyone could have the same
discipline he had. Not everyone could have a wider scope of vision like him.
That’s why he was condemned to death. Not everyone could face death like an offering to the gods.
But he offered his life, and death, for our country. Graciously and freely.
In 1861, in Calamba, a Filipino was born. In 1896, in Bagumbayan, a country was born.
His life reminds us how we should live as a Filipino. His death reminds us how our country was born
out of love and sacrifices.
When I gaze at his statues, I look at his eyes and ask: “Is he happy now? Is he happy for what happened
to our country? Does he still believe that the Youth is the hope of our Motherland? Does he think he
died in vain?”
I can only stare and ask these perennial questions.
But as I look at my country and my fellowmen, I see Rizal in every Filipino who was abused and put to
death. I see him in every poor people because of corruption from our leaders. I see his eyes in every
youth wanting change for our country. I see him in every Filipino who moves to other country looking
for a better future and opportunity. I see him in all the anguishes and fears of our people. Ultimately,
I wish to see him in every Filipino who wants to dedicate a life for our country.
16 | P a g e
Rizal have lived a life worth remembering because he lived not for just himself but for others and for
our country. And that made him different from the rest of all of us because he lived and died for this
great idea called “Love.”
And because of this Love, a Filipino was born, a country was born.
______________
Rado Gatchalian is a poet, writer, modern-day commentator, content creator in social media, global mover in terms of nationbuilding projects and a passionate scholar of the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal.
He marries his academic background in Philosophy and Psychology with his passion projects in Poetry, the arts and music.
The FILOsopher to his peers and friends in Sydney, Australia, you can find some of his works in his page, The FILOsopher, “Filo”
being the moniker for Filipinos in Australia.
17 | P a g e
IV
ANG KABATAAN
ANG
PAG-ASA NG BAYAN
18 | P a g e
ANG KABATAAN ANG PAG-ASA NG BAYAN
Sa Panulat ni Rado Gatchalian, KOR
OKOR ANZO Eastern Australia Area Deputy Commander
Archivist, KOR Northern Sydney Chapter
(Unang lumabas sa Knights of Rizal Northern Sydney Chapter FB page. 15 November 2022)
Napakalaki ng pananalig ng ating
bayaning si Gat Jose Rizal sa
kabataang Pilipino. Kung babalikan
natin ang panahon niya noong
1890s hindi ko sigurado kung ilang
libong kabataang Pilipino ang
nabubuhay noon. Mayroon na
bang “Kabataang Pilipino” noong
1890s sa panahong ang Pilipinas ay
nasa ilalim pa rin ng Espanya?
Pagnilayan natin nang malalim.
Sa makabago at radikal na
konteksto ang “kabataang pag-asa
ng bayan” ay isang kabataang may
masidhing pagmamahal sa bayan,
nais ng pagbabago, nananawagan
ng katarungan, at nagsusumikap
na maiangat ang bayan bilang
isang lipunang progresibo at may
kalayaan. Marahil ang isang
imaheng nakikita niyo ay isang
“aktibistang”
kabataan
na
kasamang nagwewelga sa kalsada.
Ito ba ang deskripsyon ng kabataang nasa isipan ni Gat Jose Rizal nang sinabi nyang sila ang pag-asa
ng ating bayan?
Pag-isipan nating muli.
Noong panahong bago siya barilin sa Bagumbayan ay malakas na ang damdaming rebolusyonaryo.
Nariyan ang Katipunang itinatag ni Gat Andres Bonifacio noong 1896. Gaya ni Rizal, namatay din si
Andres sa maagang edad na 33. Si Rizal ay 35 noong binaril.
Maging si Heneral Gregorio del Pilar ay namatay sa napakabatang edad na 24.
Noong pinatapon si Rizal sa Dapitan at siya’y nagturo sa ilan at piling kabataan doon, nakita niya kaya
sa kanila ang “pag-asa” para sa ating bayan?
19 | P a g e
Noong gabi ng 29 Desyembre 1896 sa Fort Santiago, bago sya barilin kinabukasan, panatag ba ang
kanyang loob na papanaw siyang iiwan ang bansa sa mga kabataang may pagmamahal sa bayan?
Sabi niya sa kanyang tula:
“Ako’y mamamatay ngayong namamalas
na sa silanganan ay namamanaag
yaong maligayang araw na sisikat
sa likod ng luksang nagtabing na ulap.”
(Sipi mula Huling Paalam, salin ni Andres Bonifacio)
May maligayang araw na sisikat!
Dama kong nananalig pa rin ang ating bayani na papanaw siyang sisikat pa rin ang maligayang araw sa
ating bayan.
Ano ang sisikat? Ang sikat ng araw ay liwanag.
Paano at sino?
Hindi ba’t mangyayari lamang ito dahil may mga bagong sisilang? Mga kabataang ipanganganak at
magbibigay buhay sa pangarap na kanyang iniwan!
Sa kanyang tulang “A la Juventud filipina:”
“Taas ang noong kinis,
Kabataang Filipino! Ito’y araw
Para lalong rumikit
Ang talinong marangal,
Magandang pag-asa ng aking bayan!”
Sa huling saknong:
“Araw, araw ng tuwa,
Mutyang Filipinas, sa lupain mo!
Sa basbas ng bathala,
Masuyong sumaiyo
Ang mabuting palad at konsuwelo.”
(Sipi mula sa “Sa Kabataang Filipino,” salin ni Virgilio Almario)
Pagnilayan nating mabuti ang simbolo ng araw na lagi niyang nababangit. Sisikat ang araw sa bayang
kanyang iiwan!
May liwanag. May kabataan! May pag-asa!
Subalit ano ba ang meron sa kabataan bakit sila ang pag-asa ng bayan?
20 | P a g e
Ang kabataan ay sariwa. Bago. Lumulundag ang kanilang mga isipan sa mga makabagong pananaw.
Puno sila ng mga imahinasyong magbibigay ng mas kaaya-aya sa ating bayan.
Ang kabataan ay matapang. Hindi natatakot lumaban. Hindi natatakot sumubok. Ayaw nila ng mga
makalumang pamamaraan na pumipigil sa ikauunlad ng lipunan. Sabik sila sa pagbabago!
Ang kabataang Pilipino ay nangangarap ng isang lipunang magbibigay ng oportunidad sa kanila na
maingat ang kanilang buhay nang matiwasay.
Ang kabataan ang siyang magsisilbing liwanag sa ating lipunang nabalot sa dilim. Sa kanilang
pagsusumikap na magkaroon ng kaalaman at karunungan ay itataguyod nila ang sariling buhay upang
maging karapat-dapat sa lipunan.
Batid kong anumang henerasyon — nananalaytay sa ating dugo ang kabataang Pilipino. Dumadaloy sa
ating dugo ang pangarap at pag-ibig natin para sa bayan.
Ito ang pananalig ng ating bayaning si Rizal.
Umaasa siyang kahit sa kanyang pagpanaw, kung hindi man sa madaling panahon, ay sisibol ang isang
kabataang magliligtas sa ating lipunan sa mga darating na bukas — ang kabataang handang mabuhay
at mamatay para sa ating Lupang Hinirang.
Sisikat gaya ng araw sa bagong umaga!
Ipapanganak ang kabataang Pilipino na magsisilbing liwanag sa karimlan. Sila ang pag-asa ng bayan!
Ang kabataang Pilipino na uhaw sa pagbabago. Ang kabataang nangangarap na harinawa’y ang mga
nakatatanda at pinuno ng ating bayan ay magsisilbing ehemplo nila.
Ang kabataang ang tanging hangad ay makapagtapos ng pag-aaral, makahanap ng magandang
hanapbuhay, makatulong sa magulang at pamilya, at maging bahagi ng ikauunlad ng pamayanan.
Ito ang kabataang nagdiriwang para sa bayan!
Ito ang kabataang puno ng pangarap at ayaw sumuko sa pagkabigo na wala ng pag-asa pa ang ating
bayan.
Nasaan kayo aking mga kabataan? Kayo ba’y nagtatago sa dilim? Nagpapahinga? Natutulog? O di
kaya’y natatakot at may duda?
Huwag kayong matakot! Maging matapang!
Hanapin mo kung sino ka. Hanapin mo ang Kabataang Pilipino sa iyong puso!
Totoo nga bang ang Kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan?
Hindi ko alam kung tama si Rizal.
Subalit tanging ang kabataang Pilipino ang makasasagot nito.
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Katulad ni Rizal, nais ko ring manalig sa kanila. Sisikat ang isang maligayang araw sa ating bayan!
Sa isang sulat ni Rizal kay Mariano Ponce noong 9 Hulyo 1890, kanyang sinabi:
“Minsan lang namamatay ang isang tao, at kung hindi pa siya mahusay na mamamatay, naglaho na
ang isang magandang pagkakataong hindi na babalik muli.”
Napakagandang pagnilayan ang kanyang nasabi.
At nais ko ring sabihing:
Minsan lang maging kabataan. Hindi na muling babalik. At sa ating pagtanda, huwag nating hayaang
bumalik sa nakaraan at pagsisihan ang di natin ginawa. Napakasarap maging kabataan. Gamitin natin
ito nang lubusan. Gamitin nang may kabuluhan at dangal.
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V
THE IRRELEVANT RIZAL
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THE IRRELEVANT RIZAL
By Rado Gatchalian
(19 June 2021, Rizal’s 160th birthday)
Rizal is everywhere but nowhere.
Public historian and writer Professor Ambeth Ocampo has often emphasized this critical statement
that almost all Filipinos know Rizal but no one reads his novels. It seems to appear that the works of
Rizal such as the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are no longer relevant. The stories of these
two novels no longer enjoy the pinnacle of modern age of computer, information technology, and
social media.
But history still becomes relevant because people never learn from the past.
The injustices and abuses suffered by Sisa, Crispin, and Basilio in Noli Me written in 1887 are still
experienced by Filipinos of today who have to suffer the same abuses by the corrupt people in our
society.
As we dig the works of this hero, we hope to find treasures that will still be valuable for everyone and
our society. But to dig requires our will to endure pain. We need to read a lot and reflect. Only through
this digging are we able to extract invaluable truths and lessons that transform us as a people who
contribute to society.
Rizal’s misfortune is that he left great volumes of literary works and letters to a nation who does not
read.
Because Filipinos do not read, our country does not progress as a reflective society.
Rizal’s writings will help us to know who we are as Filipinos. It is only through knowledge and education
that we can be free as a nation.
By reading his works and books about him we are reminded why Rizal was against Bonifacio’s
Revolution. He wanted our country to be free, but he knew that we were not yet ready at that time.
Rizal wrote “Countrymen, I have given proofs, as much as any one else, of desiring liberties for our
country, and I still desire them. But I made them conditional on the education of the people so that
by means of learning and work they would have their own personality and make themselves worthy
of such liberties.”
It is only through freedom from ignorance that we can truly be free. He affirmed in his Noli that liberty
is useless when the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow. Thus, Rizal as a reformist wanted
a “reformation” in the values and hearts of the Filipino people. Because when Filipinos are corrupt our
country suffers the same fate of slavery. We become slaves from the powerful elites and corrupt
politicians in our country. We are no longer slaves from foreigners but from own brothers.
As we look at the statue of Rizal may it give us precious moment to… to think deeply about our nation
through history and reading. Rizal is a great thinker and voracious reader. He is the perfect model of
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an enlightened being. The only way to escape from the shadow and chain of poverty and injustice is
through education that gives eternal light.
We are only free when our minds are free. Our country is only free when everyone is willing to
embrace truths. Truth will make us free.
Rizal is irrelevant because the people remain ignorant.
But Rizal is more than relevant because he is the soul of our nation. When we know him, perhaps, we
will learn to know who we are as a free country.
Make Rizal be found everywhere and most particularly in the hearts and minds of the Filipinos. Then,
Rizal becomes truly relevant to everyone.
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VI
A TRUE RIZALIST
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A TRUE RIZALIST
By Rado Gatchalian
23 July 2020
There’s a point in time when we ask ourselves: “Why do I admire Rizal a lot? Why am I a Knight of
Rizal?” These two questions should always be a perennial reflection for all of us as it defines who we
really are as followers of Rizal.
When does a person begin and end as a Knight of Rizal? Elusive as it is to really find the answer: one
submits with humility that being a “Rizalist” is a continuing and life long process. This means that the
genesis-climax of our membership as such should always complement with our genuine desire to
emulate our hero.
This raises a metaphysical question as to the essence of who we are as members of this Order. To
emulate doesn’t mean to idolize. It doesn’t mean to elevate the persona of Rizal without us fully
understanding who he is. Importantly, it begs to question as to what makes a worthy Knight?
Historically, we can even reflect and challenge our minds as to how could have Rizal permitted such
Order in honour of his name? Does the hero we admire allow such Order? But these questions should
not hinder our Rizalian dreams. Rather, it should inspire us more to find the real purpose and meaning
why we need to be a knight.
Does a title such as KR give us the ultimate test and reward that we have achieved the essence of
being a Rizalist? Thus, a fundamental catharsis that we need to embrace is this — if theoretically we
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have all been stripped of our titles and regalia — will it mean that we have lost the essential
ingredients of who we are as followers of Rizal?
When we answer these questions — we will better appreciate and understand who we are as Knights.
It should not undermine the titles or our membership of this noble Order. Rather, it should remind us
of our essential duties as brothers in the name of Rizal. It entails that we should continuously strive to
become a better man, a better brother, towards others, towards our fellowmen, towards our country.
Then, as we realize this: we take our titles and regalia with so much respect and honour. And humility.
Since my school days, I have been an ardent admirer of Rizal. But I chose to delay my KR dream till
2019 — as a life testament — and challenge — and inspiration to others that everyone of us can be a
follower of Rizal with or without a title. At the end of the day: a true mark of a Rizalist goes beyond
any titles.
Our actions. What we do to our fellowmen and our country. How we live a decent, honest, and
respectful life. Our charity and love given to others. All those things that we tried to achieve to make
this world a better place. To find a meaningful life. To enjoy art and beauty. To live and die with honor.
These are the true marks of a Rizalist.
Because Rizal lived and died honourably.
This is what we all dream to emulate. Thus, when we recite Non Omnis Moriar — may we understand
what it really means. Deep in our hearts.
Then, we will realize Rizal is so much alive in all of us.
NOM.
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VII
RIZAL THE SUPERSTAR
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Rizal the Superstar
Published in Bayanihan News
19 June 2020
BY RADO GATCHALIAN, KR on the 159th birth anniversary of PH national hero Jose P. Rizal
JESUS CHRIST Superstar is one of the popular musical operas nowadays where it depicts the arrival of
Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ending with the crucifixion. To Christians, he is the Superstar.
Philippines is blessed with another kind of Superstar – a man so revered by Filipinos that almost every
municipality has his statue. A hero whose name is written in history and engraved in “piso”. His name
is Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal, born in Calamba, Laguna, on June 19, 1861, the son of Teodora Alonso and
Francisco Rizal Mercado.
Allow me to briefly reflect on the life of Rizal in comparison with the Christ. This is to emphasize though
that I do not encourage anyone to worship Rizal like how Christians worship Jesus. There is a Rizalist
cult in the Philippines that believes in Rizal as God or the reincarnation of Christ.
Ironically, it has been told that Rizal was an enemy of the Church. He had criticized and depicted in his
two novels the abuses of the friars. So, how could Rizal be a Christ model when he himself was
considered a mortal enemy of this Catholic empire?
Because of this – Filipinos think that Rizal was a freethinker and with a liberal rational mind. As such,
many suspects that he was anti-religion and did not give importance to spirituality. But Rizal as a
member of Freemasonry strongly entails that he believed in a Supreme Being, The Great Architect of
the Universe. Here, we can rest the case that Rizal believed in the existence of God. A prerequisite to
be a mason is to believe in God.
Like Jesus of Nazareth who was believed as the Savior of mankind, Rizal was considered a “savior” of
the Philippines. The death of Christ was the salvation of mankind. The death of Rizal was the birth of
the Filipino nation. With his death, he has saved the Philippines from the abuses and injustices of the
Spaniards. He has awakened the heart and mind of the Filipinos.
As we can see – both Superstars were killed by religion. Jesus, from the hands of the Jewish pharisees.
Rizal, from the Catholic friars. Jesus was hanged in the cross at Mount Calvary. Rizal was shot to death
at Bagumbayan.
Was Rizal imitating Jesus?
One of the last books that Rizal read when he was imprisoned at Fort Santiago was The Imitation of
Christ by Thomas a` Kempis. Before his death, he gifted his wife, Josephine Bracken, this book. Why
did Rizal choose to have this book in the last hours of his life? Did it give him comfort and consolation
– and courage to face his execution?
What existential or spiritual message can we derive from this last moment of Rizal when he was
holding this book about the Christ? Was he surrendering to a Greater Power? Was it an admission of
man’s failure to achieve justice? Was it an act of faith? Was it even a proof of Rizal’s retraction?
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The answers I do not know. I would like to invite you to think about the answers.
His novel Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) was derived from John 20:17 where Jesus responded “Do
not hold on to me…” to Mary Magdalene. This strongly proved that Rizal read the Bible.
Interestingly, there are groups of historians who believe that Rizal’s last words were the same as
Jesus’.
Consummatum est. It is done.
Whether these were all a coincidence or not, we cannot deny the fact that both Jesus and Rizal played
a significant part in our history.
As we remember the birth of Rizal – may we remember his immortal legacy to our nation. May he
remain a superstar in our hearts.
As we imitate Rizal – we might indirectly imitate the life of Jesus.
Then, all Filipinos will become a Superstar.
“I believe in revelation, but in the living revelation of nature which surrounds us everywhere, in the
voice speaking out through nature — powerful, eternal, unceasing, incorruptible, clear, distinct, and
universal as the Being from which it comes. It is this revelation that I believe in, which speaks to us
and penetrates our being from the day we are born to the day we die. Can any other books reveal to
us more faithfully God’s work, His goodness, His love, His providence, His eternity, His glory, His
wisdom?” – Excerpt from Rizal’s letter to Fr. Pablo Pastells, SJ
(Rado Gatchalian was born in Dagupan City, Philippines, and now based in Sydney, Australia. He
dedicates poems and essays every year on Rizal’s birthday and martyrdom. He is currently the
Archivist of the Knights of Rizal – Northern Sydney Chapter.)
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VIII
MAY AGIMAT
PA BA ANG
PANGALANG RIZAL?
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May Agimat pa ba ang Pangalang Rizal?
Ni Rado Gatchalian
Batid kong nangingibabaw ang kanyang pangalan sa bawat Pilipino — nasaan man tayo. Bahagi na ng
pagiging isang Pilipino ang makilala at parangalan ang ating bayani. Para sa iba — wala nang hihigit pa
sa napakarami na kanyang nagawa bilang isang tao. Matalino subalit praktikal. May angat sa buhay
subalit hindi nakalimot sa kapwa at sa bayan. Malalim ang pag-iisip subalit nagsumikap na inintindihin
ang kapwa Pilipino.
Marahil para sa inyo — si Rizal ay katangi-tangi. Marahil para sa iba — kulang ng tapang dahil naniwala
sa reporma at hindi sa rebolusyong hindi pa handa’t napapanahon. Marahil ang iba’y nag-iisip kung
akma pa ba ang pagkatao at naiambag ng ating bayaning si Gat Jose Rizal.
Sa kanyang panulat — ang Noli Me Tangere at El Filibusterismo — hindi ko alam kung nabasa ba o
binabasa pa ba ng mga Pilipino. Hindi ko alam kung ang kanyang pangalan ay nagmistulang dasal na
paulit-ulit na sinasambit subalit walang kahulugan.
May agimat pa ba ang pangalan ni Ibarra? Elias? Maria Clara? Sisa? Padre Damaso?
May agimat pa ba ang pangalang Jose Rizal?
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Muli nating bisitahin ang estatwa ni Rizal sa Luneta o sa kahit saang probinsya. Pagmasdan nating
mabuti ang kanyang anyo, ang kanyang mukha. Balikan nating muli ang kanyang buhay. Pagmunihan
ang lahat ng kanyang inalay para sa bayan.
Habang pinagmamasdan niyo ang kanyang anino at liwanag — nakikita niyo ba ang inyong sarili na
kawangis ng pagmamahal niya sa ating bayan? Bumabalik ba sa inyo ang alaala ng isang magiting na
Pilipino? Tumitibok ba ang pangalang Rizal sa inyong puso?
Marahil — sa bandang huli: ito lang ang nais iwan sa atin ng ating bayani — ang mabuhay nang
marangal, ibigin ang magulang at mga kapatid, pagsumikapang maging makubuluhan ang buhay, magaral nang mabuti, maging matulungin sa kapwa, at mahalin ang bayang Pilipinas.
Siguro sa yugtong ito — kasama niyo akong magpapatunay — na may agimat pa rin ang pangalang DR.
JOSE PROTACIO RIZAL!
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IX
RIZAL 102: JOSE RIZAL,
THE GREATEST FILIPINO,
IN THE MODERN AGE
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RIZAL 102: JOSE RIZAL, THE GREATEST FILIPINO,
IN THE MODERN AGE
by Rado Gatchalian, KR - Northern Sydney Chapter
Published in Rizaliana Corner: A Rizalist Reflection FB page. 29 December 2019.
In our global contemporary era — one can become great through the influence you impart in the social
media milieu. Either your act of heroism or cowardice can exponentially reach the entire hemisphere
in a snap of clicking the buttons. Likes. Shares. Then, it becomes viral.
Now: how can an ordinary Filipino impact change? Or how can a historical figure continue to inspire
the modern world?
Jose Rizal is a man of great talents and achievements. I cannot find another Filipino who can exceed,
or even match, what Rizal had accomplished in a very short period of time. He was shot in Bagumbayan
at a tender age of 35.
But as we try to ask the new Filipino generation: What do you know about Rizal? Why is he important?
What is his relevance in our modern age in the advent of immense innovation, unbelievable
technology, social media, and mass availability of information in the internet?
As humanity starts and continues to explore the Universe and in search of an alternative planet where
man can live — What is the practical value of knowing and understanding Rizal as a Filipino?
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Rizal is a thinker, scientist, creative and imaginative, a cosmopolitan citizen, seeker of great
knowledge, a teacher, poet and writer, and proponent of change.
As we live in a fluid world of social media and information explosion: one should become even more
inspired to study the life of this great man! As we become more connected to the world it is vital that
we retain the values of decency, tolerance, and reasons.
It is this same kind of reason that Rizal proposed that will save us from errors and dangers of shallow
online world. Courageous as he is, we shall all exercise prudence and responsible intelligence.
His letter to the women of Malolos:
“... And, why should you submit to another your thoughts, seeing that thought is noble and free?
It is cowardice and erroneous to believe that saintliness consists in blind obedience and that prudence
and the habit of thinking are presumptuous. Ignorance has ever been ignorance, and never prudence
and honor. God, the primal source of all wisdom, does not demand that man, created in his image and
likeness, allow himself to be deceived and hoodwinked, but wants us to use and let shine the light of
reason with which He has so mercifully endowed us ...”
When Rizal wrote this letter during his time he must have written it for everyone to reflect even after
his death. As we contemplate on the importance of reason — every Filipino shall evolve as human
beings with great respect and appreciation to knowledge and truth. This is the only reasonable path
where our country can prosper to become a respectable nation. As we cultivate our mind and soul as
Filipino — the Philippines will become a land of hope and joy. Rizal’s concept of a free country is a
land where liberty and reason prevail. We can only be ready as a free country when Filipinos are free
from ignorance and arrogance.
As we become active participants in this modern era of online world let us all reflect on what Rizal
advised to the women of Malolos. Let us retain our decency and respect as citizens of the world. Let
us aspire only for the truths to prosper. Let us be vigilant on what we read and share. Let us be
responsible to what we tweet. Let us fight fake news.
Rizal is a historical man whom we can emulate today.
When he was shot to death on 30th of December 1896 — our country was reborn and destined to
become a land where every Filipino can see the light: both that radiates in the field and in the hearts
of man.
Let us continue to find and share this light.
(Rado Gatchalian is now based in Sydney, Australia. In December 2018, he wrote in Philippine Daily
Inquirer his article RIZAL 101: Remembering the Man. He is the secretary of the Knights of Rizal
Northern Sydney Chapter.)
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X
A RIZALIAN BIRTH
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A RIZALIAN BIRTH
(Synopsis of the impromptu speech given as Testimonial during Initiation as Knight of Rizal)
by Rado Gatchalian
(18th August 2019, Hornsby, NSW, Australia)
To be knighted today as part of this Order of Rizal on my birthday — is such a memorable event for
me. I feel like this is my second birth: Now as a Rizalist. This day is the beginning of my “official and
formal” journey in my Rizalian quest.
My whole life has been a dedication to the life of our dear Jose Rizal. For many years I have tried to
follow his footsteps particularly his love for our country.
On behalf of my fellow Knights of Rizal who are initiated today — thank you very much to all of you:
for taking the time and effort to be with us in this special occasion.
I know as we wear this uniform (*referring to the iconic barong of Knights of Rizal) it makes us really
proud as a Filipino. Although we are already here in a foreign land — for us, to be part of this noble
brotherhood is such a great pride.
But as we wear this uniform may we all remember the most important thing: to be a true Rizalist in
our minds and in our hearts.
May we continue to love our Motherland. May we follow the suits of Rizal in excelling in what we do:
for our country and for humanity. May the spirit of patriotism be always alive in us.
Maraming salamat po at Mabuhay tayong lahat!
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XI
RIZALIST REFLECTIONS
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RIZALIANA CORNER:
A RIZALIST REFLECTION (No. 1)
by Rado Gatchalian
27 September 2019
MI ULTIMO ADIOS
I would like to imagine myself on that very last minute before our dear Jose Rizal was shot in
Bagumbayan. Historical writings glorify how calm he was as he confronted death. At the very last
minute — writers and historians portrayed him not just a hero but a superhero whose will and strength
are like Marvel superheroes.
But I would like to go back and hope to see how he was as a person, as a normal human being like me.
I can just imagine. I could not be factual, but I hope you can all come with me to share this journey
and wisdom: our man is still a man.
Imagine you are that Jose Rizal walking on the field and giving the last glimpse to people around you
and the country you love so dearly.
As you walk towards that unjust death: you remember your poor wife Josephine Bracken! You
remember your ailing mom too! And your dear loyal kind brother Paciano!
Just to think that you will no longer see the family you love so much — I am sure it will break your
heart.
You would probably cry in so much pain realising that you will never see your loved ones again!
Yes, you can cry.
BUT WE ARE NOT JOSE RIZAL.
Was he so great that even death cannot overpower him? Was he so composed that not a single bullet
could ruin his soul?
Perhaps we really don’t know what’s inside his mind on that last walk.
Perhaps we can just rely on the accounts of the witnesses.
Perhaps we just need to believe what’s written in the books.
PERHAPS I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT THIS MAN IS INDEED AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN.
Stronger than all the fictional superheroes like Superman, Thor, and Captain America!
But one thing I know: his last footsteps on earth inspired me for who I am today. I may not see his last
footprints at Bagumbayan — but I can feel in my heart the last breath he gave for me, for my country.
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I want to believe that his death was the birth of our country, the Philippines. And I want to believe
that his martyrdom moulded a piece of greatness and hope for each Filipino.
And I want to pray that every Filipino will not forget his martyrdom.
AND WHEN I IMAGINE IN MY MIND THE BLOOD THAT SPILLED FROM HIS BODY — I KNOW HE IS STILL
A MAN. MORTAL.
I see a man whose love and pain, dream, hopes, and faith, are all a product of what we call HUMANITY.
With his life and death — it has given me hope that our country will one day see her glory.
With his life and death — I became not just a man but a Filipino.
Adios patria adorada!
“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
NOM.
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RIZAL IN A FEW WORDS
(RIZALIANA CORNER: A RIZALIST REFLECTION NO. 2)
by Rado Gatchalian
30 September 2019
With the astronomical accomplishments of Dr. Jose Rizal in his thirty-five years of existence: How can
we describe his life and legacy in few words?
It will be difficult.
Rizal was a writer, poet, novelist, ophthalmologist, surveyor, teacher, sculptor, and painter. These
were just some of what he did. There are more.
But with all his contributions to our country and to humanity, as a whole, his legacy is more than his
academic achievements and talents. With all the credentials attached to his name: I believe, there is
one invisible medal more precious than all — the overflowing love emanating from his heart.
As a son, his love for his mother was exemplary! He studied Ophthalmology to perform surgery on
Teodora Alonso’s failing eyesight.
As a nationalist, he sacrificed enormous time and overcame hardship just to publish his two novels,
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
Here we could realise that it was not only because of what was in his brain that made him a great man.
He became a remarkable man because of the content of his heart.
Perhaps, it is true that we may have the faith and hope in life but if we fail to love — everything
becomes futile. Jose Rizal exemplified this. In spite of his mental excellence, he remained humble and
selfless to the extent of surrendering his life to one cause: to die for our country.
Rizal could have escaped death and ventured to a better prosperous life in other countries.
But he chose the narrow path. He chose the invisible greatness than the material rewards. He chose
to liberate the soul of his nation and die for her than to live longer.
This was his love. This was his sacrifice.
I know it will be a challenge to describe our hero in a few words.
But let me try:
Rizal was a man bigger than what he received and achieved in his life. He became a great man because
of what he gave for his family, for his country: his love and ultimately, his life. From his death, our
country was born with an eternal light that one day each of us can glimpse in our innermost dream.
I pray that we all find this flame, inspired by Jose Rizal, shining in our hearts!
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XII
RIZALIANA
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FINDING THE LIGHT OF A KNIGHT
June 2022 Rizaliana
By Rado Gatchalian, KOR
Archivist, KOR Northern Sydney Chapter
Deputy Area Commander, KOR Eastern Australia
(This is the 1st part of the Rizaliana given on 19 June 2022, Rooty Hill, NSW, Australia)
(This was published as well in The Philippine Community Herald Newspaper. June 2022 edition)
Last night I was thinking what to discuss. Shall I discuss about facts or knowledge about Rizal? But I
said to myself if tomorrow I will die, I have to say this now. And I thought you can always search about
Jose Rizal and you will know many things about him.
But today I feel that it is a necessity for me to share with you my sentiments and I hope you wouldn’t
mind if I will talk about Knights. I am not perfect. I am not a perfect Knight, but it will be a reminder
for all of us.
Last week I was watching an interview of our fellow knights with a foreigner, who is also a knight. But
I have to admit that I felt embarrassed because our fellow Filipinos who are knights — I didn’t see
them like a diginified knight. The guest who was a foreigner, he was so dignified, soft-spoken. My
fellow Filipinos — they were so loud. The way they talked, the way they laughed, was so loud.
And I said to myself our behaviour should reflect being a knight. Knight is an honorific title. We are
called Sir. FOR ME IT IS A BURDEN BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MUCH DUTY TO CARRY. When you call me
Sir I take it as a privilege, as an honor. And if I say Sir to you, it’s the same thing: I give you the highest
respect that I can give. And this is the challenge for all of us, as a knight. It requires the highest standard
of integrity, of ethics.
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But I say again who am I to speak about being a knight. I am not perfect. But here I am to speak just
to remind for all of us and especially for me to remind myself what is it to be a Knight of Rizal. I know
we have to differentiate between a private and a public life. But once we wear our uniform, once we
wear our regalia, we just don’t represent ourselves, but we represent the Order. We represent the
image of Dr. Jose Rizal who is the perfect image, not only as a knight, but the perfect image of a man.
He is a model man. A man I truly admire, and I know you also admire Dr. Jose Rizal for everything he
has done for his family, for his friends, and for his country.
Being a Knight is being a noble. It requires respect, dignity. But then I need to go back to that scenario
where I saw my fellow Knights who I thought didn’t act like Knights and then I said to myself:
Ultimately, the thing that will measure us is how we behave. The thing that will ultimately measure us
as a Knight is how we live our life. Our titles and our ranks will not matter at the end of the day.
Because what matters is how we deal with people. Our titles are just superficial. Take my clothes away,
take away my uniform, I will just be a simple man. But a Knight requires more than a medal. It requires
a strong heart and will.
And of course:
We don’t need to be Perfect, we just need to be Proper.
We don’t need to be so Intelligent, we just need to be Reasonable.
We don’t need to be Understanding to everyone, we just need to be Tolerant and Respectful.
A Knight is a person who exemplifies Virtues of Knights. When I see Knights, I see an image of
Respectful Person, Dignified, full of Respect and Dignity. And I hope all of us when we look at each
other what we see is Beauty, what we see is Respect.
Thank you very much.
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ANG KASAYSAYAN AY ISANG PAGHUHUKAY
(With Spoken Words at the end of the speech)
By Rado Gatchalian, KOR, Northern Sydney Chapter
On the 160th Birthday of Jose Rizal, 19 June 2021
Held at Rizal Park, Rooty Hill, NSW, Australia
(This was also published in The Philippine Community Herald Newspaper.
Good afternoon everyone. Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. With your indulgence I have to revise
my speech multiple times, trying to reflect what would be my talk because Jose Rizal is like a volume
of library. There are so many topics we can discuss, and I was struggling what topic should I discuss
about Rizal and changed from English to pure Filipino; then, I found out we have our guest (note: nonFilipinos), from English again, to Filipino, and I ended up, hopefully in Taglish. Hopefully, you will accept
my apology (note: looking at the Australian councilour). But I will still try to inculcate in English.
Before I was thinking to talk about Rizal “in Australia,” Rizal as a philosopher, si Rizal at ang Katigasan
ng Ulo ng mga Pilipino, si Rizal at ang Katamaran ng mga Pilipino, at si Rizal at ang Pagkakaisa ng mga
Pilipino. But unbelievably I think Rizal is always in my soul. I woke up this morning as early as 5:00 in
the morning. I dreamed about me digging. Digging. Then, I realised I have to completely revise all the
days of my mental outline for this Rizaliana.
Then, I have to talk about History or Kasaysayan. Ang kasaysayan ay isang paghahanap. History is like
searching; is like digging. Ang paghuhukay sa malalim na kasaysayan natin. Alam niyo po ba ang history
ay nanggaling sa salitang Griyego “historia.” Ang ibig sabihin ay seeking, paghahanap, finding out. Isa
ring taguri sa Griyego ay “histor” na ang ibig sabihin ay learned o wise man.
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Subalit mas malalim sa Pilipino ang kahulugan ng History sapagkat ito ay tinatawag na Kasaysayan, sa
salitang “SAYSAY.” Ang pinag-uusapan dito ay meron bang saysay.
Ngayon pumapasok tayo sa sitwasyon na may saysay pa ba si Gat. Jose Rizal?
Rizal is everywhere but nowhere.
Rizal is so popular that every Filipino knows about him. But unfortunately, the misfortunes of Jose
Rizal was that he has written volumes of literary works and letters to a nation who doesn’t read.
In that context sabi ni Prof. Ambeth Ocampo: “No one reads about Rizal now in the original
manuscripts in Spanish because we don’t speak Spanish anymore.”
The father of History is Herodotus. Herodotus is the father of history coined by Cicero, a Roman orator.
The irony of this is that Herodotus is the father of history, yet he is also called the father of lies. Because
history is also written with so many lies.
At ito ang hamon sa atin sa pagbabasa, sa paghuhukay. Huhukayin natin si Rizal pero hindi natin alam
kung ang ating nababasa ba ay tama o hindi. Marami ring kasinungalingan siguro sa ating binabasa
pero mas mabuti na ang magbasa kesa hindi magbasa.
Sabi ni Ambeth Ocampo iyong tulang “Sa Aking Kababata” ay di pala sinulat ni Rizal. Even iyong
kasabihang “Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay daig pa ng mas malansang isda.” Ang
sabi ni Ambeth Ocampo sa kanyang pananaliksik there is no original manuscript na talagang galing nga
ito kay Jose Rizal.
So, lumalabas po rito na sa ating kasaysayan isang hamon sa atin na hukayin. Ang paghahanap natin
ng kasaysayan ay isang paghuhukay. Kailangan tayong magpagod. Kailangan tayong magsumikap.
Kailangan tayong magsunog ng kilay. We need to study every night. We need to study history.
This is the challenge for all of us. As we study and read about Jose Rizal — gaya nga ng sinabi maging
ni Ambeth Ocampo, Rizal is everywhere but nowhere. I hope at this point in time we will see the
relevance of Jose Rizal. Why? Because we commit the same mistakes.
History is only relevant because we repeat the same mistakes. If we do not commit the same mistakes
we can move on and just put aside the teachings of Rizal because we have reached the pinnacle of
greatness of nation.
Subalit even in his writing, in Noli Me Tangere, we have these characters Sisa, Crispin, and Basilio.
Many Filipinos still suffer the abuses, the corruption of our leaders, of our fellow Filipinos. Noli Me
Tangere was written in 1887 and yet now in 2021 many Filipinos are still suffering from poverty.
That’s why history is relevant because we haven’t learned. So, we have to keep digging and learning
from the teachings of Rizal.
That’s why even Renato Constantino said in his pamphlet we venerate Rizal, veneration without
understanding. Renato Constantino is a historian, a UP professor. He was trying to say that we Filipinos
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somehow worship Rizal. But actually not. So, that’s why it is a challenge even for the Knights of Rizal
to continue studying the life of Rizal.
And sa aking paghuhukay po, para hindi na po humaba ang aking speech, gustong-gusto ko pa pong
magsalita but it’s raining, babasahin ko po ang isang liham ni Rizal kay Blumentritt and then tatapusin
ko po ito sa Spoken Words but I will speak it in Tagalog.
Sa aking paghuhukay, malalim kasi kung tayo’y maghukay, nakita ko ang isang sulat ni Jose Rizal kay
Blumentritt. Babasahin ko po sa Tagalog para mas manamnam po natin ang gustong sabihin ni Rizal.
Alam niyo po ba ang ating bayani ay napapagod din? Nagsawa rin? Nagsimula po siya sa Madrid at
nakita niya ang di pagkakaisa ng mga Pilipino. May pag-aaway sa La Solidaridad na grupo sa pagitan ni
Marcelo H. Del Pilar at Jose Rizal. Para bang sa kanya pagod na pagod na siya. Hindi niya makamtan
ang inaasam niyang pagkakaisa ng mga Pilipino.
At, I think, relevant nga hanggang ngayon ang sinabi ni Jose Rizal kay Blumentritt sapagkat hamon sa
ating lahat kahit sa anumang lupalop ng mundo ang pagkakaisa ng Pilipino ay hindi matupad.
Pakinggan natin si Jose Rizal. Ito’y sinulat niya noong 1891 bago siya umalis sa Madrid pabalik sa
Pilipinas sana. Namnamin po natin ang bawat salita na sinabi ni Rizal. Sabi niya kay Blumentritt:
“Kailangan kong bumalik sa Pilipinas. Nagiging pasanin na ang buhay. Kailangan kong ipakita ang
halimbawa, ang kawalang-takot sa kamatayan, nakagigimbal man ito. At saka ang dami nang bulungbulungan, sinasabing kung ano-ano ang ginagawa ko sa mga Pilipino. Mayroon akong mga lihim na
kaaway, at nais kong pumunta roon sa hindi ko na sila maririnig pa. Tapos na ako sa mga kaaway ko
sa politika; ayaw ko nang makialam pa. Katatagpuin ko na ang aking tadhana. Kung mamatay ako,
nariyan ka naman. Pero imposible na sa akin ang buhay rito sa Europa. Mabuti nang mamatay kaysa
mabuhay nang kahabag-habag.”
(Sa salin ni Nilo S. Ocampo)
Napakalalim po at napakainit ng hugot ng ating bayani sa sabi niya mas mabuti na, it’s better to die in
peace than to live with so many social illness in our sorroundings. I hope nanamnam po natin ang
sinulat ni Jose Rizal kay Blumentritt at alam ko po na ang sulat na iyon ay sulat din niya para sa ating
mga Pilipino ngayon na nabubuhay.
At bilang panwakas nais kong ihandog ang isang Spoken Words and hopefully spontaneous,
maipagkaloob natin kay Gat Jose Rizal. Ito po ang isang maikling tula.
Oh Jose, Oh Jose, kung ang bawat Pilipino
ay katulad lamang ng rebultong ito
Siguro, siguro, matatag, malakas, matibay ang ating pagkatao.
Oh Jose, Oh Jose, kung ang bawat Pilipino
ay kawangis lamang ng rebultong ito
Siguro, siguro, may luha sa ating mga mata
para sa mga inaapi at walang kasama.
Oh Jose, Oh Jose, kung ang bawat Pilipino
ay kawangis lamang ng rebultong ito
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Siguro, siguro may ngiti sa ating mga mukha
sa tagumpay ng ating kapwa.
Oh Jose, oh Jose, kung ang bawat Pilipino
ay katulad lamang ng rebultong ito
Siguro ang Pilipinas
masagana, payapa, at dakila.
Oh Jose, Oh Jose, kung ang bawat Pilipino
ay katulad lamang ng rebultong ito
Siguro ang ating bayan
sisikat sa isang umaga na may kinang.
Oh Jose, Oh Jose, bilang panwakas,
Bakit kailangan pang ipaalala ng rebultong ito
Na ang pagkabayani ay hindi tulad ng bato,
Walang saysay, walang buhay, walang puso.
Maraming salamat po. Happy birthday Jose Rizal!
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MI ULTIMO ADIOS
By Rado Gatchalian
KR, Pursuivant, Northern Sydney Chapter
30 December 2019
Ashfield, Sydney
Adiós, Patria adorada, región del sol querida,
Perla del mar de oriente, nuestro perdido Edén!
A darte voy alegre la triste mustia vida,
Y fuera más brillante, más fresca, más florida,
También por ti la diera, la diera por tu bien.
Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed,
Pearl of the Orient Sea, our Eden lost,
With gladness I give you my life, sad and repressed;
And were it more brilliant, more fresh and at its best,
I would still give it to you for your welfare at most.
Pinipintuho kong Bayan ay paalam,
lupang iniirog ñg sikat ñg araw,
mutiang mahalaga sa dagat Silañgan,
kalualhatiang sa ami'y pumanaw.
Masayang sa iyo'y aking idudulot
ang lanta kong buhay na lubhang malungkot;
maging mariñgal man at labis alindog
sa kagaliñgan mo ay akin ding handog.
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If I could just imagine that quiet eerie night when Jose Rizal wrote this very last poem before he was
shot to death on the 30th December 1896: perhaps, I could see his loneliness yet with peace on his
eyes. Perhaps, as he was scribbling his pen: he was giving his whole life in every letter and word to the
Land he loved so much... Adios, Patria adorada! Farewell, my adored Land!
As Filipinos and brother knights who reside now in a foreign land: have we also uttered the same
sentiments and words that Rizal gave? “Adios, Patria adorada...”
As we live in a foreign land: there must be a small kind of bitterness in our hearts. I know. I feel.
We said farewell to the Land we were born... But as we said goodbye — with the literal departing of
our body from our roots: there is one thing that will always be part of who we are — the Filipino soul.
Though there will always be sadness in our hearts as we now live in a foreign land: our identity as
Filipinos can never be taken away. “Adarte voy alegre la triste mustia vida...” “With gladness I gave
you my life, sad and repressed...”
We pray that wherever we are, in whatever time, with gladness we can still offer our lives for a greater
cause, for our Motherland, for humanity, for our fellow Filipinos, for our fellow brother knights...
“Tambien por ti la diera, la diera por tu bien...” “I will still give it to you for your welfare at most...”
My dear brothers, my fellow Filipinos: how will we write our own version of Mi Ultimo Adios? Will we
depart this world without regrets? What are the treasures we will pass on to our children? Will our
friends remember us for the goodness and charity of our hearts? Will our Mi Ultimo Adios summarise
our love for the Philippines?
Will we remember Rizal as we write our own last will for our country?
I pray our words will echo the murmuring cry, dream, and joy of a child. Sons and daughters of the
Philippines. We are the children of our beloved Land.
I beseech you my Rizalian brothers: gather your pens and write your Mi Ultimo Adios. But may we
scribble it meaningfully as we meet and encounter Filipinos, as we help one another. We write through
the righteousness of our lives. Our lives are our stories.
The noblest poetry, meaningful last will, is the life we give:
to our family,
to our children,
to our friends,
to our fellow human beings especially those who are in need,
to our work,
to the youth of today,
to our community,
to our fellow Filipinos,
to our fellow knights,
to the land where we live now,
to our Motherland — the Philippines,
to Rizal’s legacy,
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to a higher and greater purpose,
to our dear Creator, our God...
Adios Patria Adorada.
Non Omnis Moriar.
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MORE THAN A STONE, WE NEED LOVE
By Rado Gatchalian, KR
* This is the RIZALIANA given on the 124th Death Anniversary, 30 December 2020, of Dr. Jose Rizal
held at the Rizal Park, Rooty Hill, NSW, Australia hosted by the Knights of Rizal Northern Sydney
Chapter
Last night I was trying to start writing my speech for Rizaliana but somehow with my reflection and
prayer and looking at the image of Jose Rizal in my book I suddenly stopped and said to myself I think
this time I do not need to prepare a Rizaliana because in this pandemic period, a very tragic and
saddest moment in our history – a wisdom came into my mind:
More than knowledge, we need wisdom.
More than information, we need inspiration.
More than facts, we need values.
More than a stone, we need love.
More than words, we need service.
As I was looking again at the book of Jose Rizal in front of me; somehow, I felt a sense of guilt,
somehow, I felt a sense of shame. Because I am about to talk about patriotism. I always promote Dr
Jose Rizal. I always advocate love for our country. And yet here I am in a foreign land, Australia.
But somehow the image of Jose Rizal also taught me something. Another wisdom came into my mind:
Jose Rizal, our national hero, is more than a Filipino.
Jose Rizal is a universal human being.
Jose Rizal is a cosmopolitan citizen.
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Then this image of Rizal in front of me, and now at my back (referring to the bust of Rizal at Rizal Park,
Rooty Hill), trying to remind me that:
Even though we are here in a foreign land we can still be a Filipino.
And then with my prayer, with a comfort in my heart, I realise that:
Being a Filipino, like Jose Rizal, is more than a piece of paper, is more than a piece of citizenship, is
more than a passport.
Jose Rizal is a man of virtue. Jose Rizal is a Filipino not only because he has a “citizenship of being a
Filipino”. Remember during that time, on his period, we are still technically not called “Filipino,” we
are still part of Spain.
But still with these teachings, with the noble philosophy of Jose Rizal, I have this wisdom last night
that says, as I have said a while ago: More than information, in this CoVid period, we need inspiration.
And I hope each of us will continue to emulate Jose Rizal not just by words, not just in lips, but in every
movement that we do in our daily lives.
The most amazing thing about Jose Rizal is this: whenever, wherever he went, he made himself
practical, purposeful, productive, and meaningful. And this is a challenge for all of us, even though we
are here in a foreign land, Australia, which we love. A beautiful country! We are blessed! We should
be like Jose Rizal. That even though he went to Europe, he went to America, he went to Asia, he made
himself practical, purposeful, productive.
This is a challenge for all us as Filipinos here in Sydney. As a Filipino community, we hope to become
a race, a heritage, full of purposeful activity as one race, as one Filipino.
As we face in front of us the image of Dr Jose Rizal may we remember not just a stone but love. Being
a Filipino is more than the word “Filipino.” It is in our hearts and minds. And I hope as I finish this
Rizaliana, we will all go back to our home full of inspiration that we will be truthfully and honestly a
follower of Jose Rizal.
And quickly I would like to share with you one quick story. I always love to mingle with Filipinos and I
always love to have this conversation. But somehow, not just one instance but many instances, that
whenever I speak to our kababayan, our fellow Filipinos, you won’t believe some of them would say
“There is no point of becoming fully socially aware of what’s happening in the Philippines. What is the
point? We are already in Australia. What is the point? We are no longer a Filipino citizen. What is the
point of becoming attached to what is happening in our Motherland, the Philippines?”
It saddens me, truthfully, that Filipinos, my own fellow Filipinos could easily say that without even
thinking that they would say what is the point of being socially aware, attached, in what is happening
in the Philippines.
And the question is this: If Jose Rizal can hear that sentiment of our fellow Filipinos, what would he
feel? What will he feel? I do not want to answer that question. I would like to leave that to you to
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answer that question: What would Rizal feel if our fellow Filipinos would say, without even thinking
and with conviction, that there is no point of having this attachment to Philippines.
It saddens me.
I hope as followers of Rizal it is a challenge for all of us to break this thinking of our fellow Filipinos;
that even though we are here in Australia we should remain, truthfully, as Filipinos in our hearts and
minds.
And to end, with your indulgence, as I said I hope I will bring inspiration, I would like to deliver the first
stanza of Rizal’s last poem, originally in Spanish, and hopefully I can translate, without losing memory,
in English and Tagalog, with my own translation.
As you listen to each word and as you search and look for Jose Rizal, we can find him in his words. Let
us read and study his works: nandoon po si Jose Rizal. More than a stone, the challenge is for us to
study and read his works.
Adios patria adorada, region del sol querida,
Perla del mar de oriente, nuestro perdido Eden!
A darte voy alegre la triste mustia vida,
Y fuera mas brillante, mas fresca, mas florida.
Tambien por ti la diera, la diera por tu bien.
Farewell, my Fatherland that I adore, the region of sun caressed,
Pearl of the Orient Sea, the lost Eden!
With gladness, I will give my life to you even though full of sadness and repressed.
Though it might be brighter, though it might be fresher, or more blooming like flowers,
Still, I will continue to give my life to your best.
O, Paalam aking Lupang Sinilangan aking sinisinta, maging ang haring araw ay niyayakap ka,
Perlas ng Dagat Silangan, maging ang Paraisong Eden ay naglahong parang bula.
May kagalakan sa aking puso, ibibigay ko ang aking buhay kahit na ito man ay malungkot at kaawaawa,
Kung ito man ay maging mas matinag, mas makinang, o kaya ay mas sariwa, o kaya naman ay mas
namumukadkad na parang bulaklak,
Muli, muli, aking ihahandog ang aking buhay para sa iyong kadakilaan, aking Inang Bayan.
Muchas gracias! Thank you very much! Maraming salamat po!
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XIII
WRITINGS PUBLISHED
IN THE
PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
AND OTHER NEWSPAPERS
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Rizal lives on in every Filipino
Philippine Daily Inquirer
June 21, 2022
Jose P. Rizal, born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, is one great Filipino who exemplifies the ideal
man with a sense of purpose and meaning. With great multitudes of his achievements in life, he serves
as a perfect model for a life well-lived, not just for Filipinos but for all nationalities. The Filipino race
must be so proud of producing a man like Rizal when the country was oppressed and abused by
colonizer Spain.
His life reminds us of how we should live as Filipinos. His death reminds us of how our country was
born out of love and sacrifices.
When I gaze at his statues, I look at his eyes and wonder: Is he happy now? Is he happy about what is
happening to our country? Does he still believe that the youth is the hope of our motherland? Does
he think he died in vain?
I look at my country and fellowmen and see Rizal in every Filipino who was abused and put to death.
I see him in every poor people because of corruption from our leaders. I see his eyes in every youth
wanting change for our country. I see him in every Filipino who moves to another country looking for
a better future and opportunity. I see him in all the anguishes and fears of our people. But, ultimately,
I wish to see him in every Filipino who wants to dedicate their life to our country.
Rizal has lived a life worth remembering because he lived not just for himself but others and for our
country. And that made him different from the rest of us because he lived and died for this great idea
called “love.”
And because of this love, a Filipino was born, a country was born.
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If Jose Rizal did not die on Dec. 30, 1896…
Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 30, 2021
With the advent of historical revisionism, Filipinos are confronted with so many doubts and questions.
Generations new and old are in constant struggle as to who holds the truth. Every historical fact
becomes a matter of debate.
Today, as we commemorate his death anniversary, let us reflect on the following what-ifs and
questions about Jose Rizal.
If Rizal did not die for our country on Dec. 30, 1896, and he succeeded as a volunteer doctor in Cuba,
would the Philippines still have gained independence from Spain?
If Rizal agreed to the Katipunan’s plan to rescue him from execution, would he have become a key
figure in Philippine history?
If Rizal’s son survived, what could have happened both to father and son?
If Rizal did not die early, would he have become the President of the Philippines?
Rizal’s retraction is still a matter of debate. If it’s true that he retracted, does that mean Rizal has no
intellectual integrity?
Rizal’s marriage to Josephine Bracken is still in question. Their marriage certificate was never
produced. If they were indeed married, does that mean Rizal re-embraced his Catholic faith?
Many Filipinos believe that Rizal wanted the Philippines to remain a province of Mother Spain. If he
didn’t die in 1896, would he have supported Philippine independence in 1898?
If Rizal is still alive today, do you think he can win as the president of the Republic of the Philippines?
Lastly, if we fulfill Rizal’s request that we don’t celebrate his death anniversary, how can we promote
the life and legacy of the country’s foremost hero?
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Rizal or Bonifacio? There should be no competition
Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 30, 2020
It has always been a point of argument among Filipinos as to who should be our national hero: Jose
Rizal or Andres Bonifacio? This has stirred a virtual schism, in which we have to identify ourselves
either as a reformist or a revolutionary and choose between an intellectual and a rebel, the elite versus
the masses. This Filipino split personality has caused a huge identity crisis in us. But this should not be
the case.
In fact, it is unfair that as we celebrate Bonifacio Day every Nov. 30, we continue to subconsciously
think about Rizal in the background — as if Bonifacio does not have an equal claim and place in our
history. Bonifacio’s legacy should stand on its own. It is my dream that one day we will also have
monuments of Bonifacio around the country and the globe, like Rizal.
There should be no competition as to who is better or greater between the two heroes. They chose
different paths, but both genuinely dedicated their lives to our country. The Philippines would not be
the same without these two great men. Rizal’s weapon was the pen, Bonifacio’s the bolo. Whether
the pen is indeed mightier than the sword, what is essential is that both men fought for the country
with all their capabilities and skills.
Bonifacio was born on Nov. 30, 1863, in Tondo, Manila. Unlike Rizal, Bonifacio did not finish his
education. However, despite this limitation and condition, he exhibited a natural intelligence and
sense of leadership. He sought to improve himself by reading books, among them Rizal’s two novels
“Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo.” The lack of adequate education did not hinder him from
becoming the Father of the Philippine Revolution. Bonifacio’s life proves that patriotism requires two
essential ingredients: true love of country, and bravery. Alas, he was murdered by fellow Filipinos
under the order of Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the Republic of the Philippines. In fact, both
Bonifacio and Aguinaldo were Masons, but this did not prevent the latter from ordering the death of
the Katipunan’s founder.
My hope for all the new generations to come is to never forget how Bonifacio was killed by fellow
Filipinos. This is a reminder that our own countrymen can be our worst enemies—and that we always
need to be prepared and cautious.
As we celebrate Bonifacio Day, may it become our mission to educate the youth about this sad part of
our history—and to learn from it.
RADO GATCHALIAN
Sydney, Australia
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For a more enlightened nation, let’s read Rizal
Philippine Daily Inquirer
June 24, 2021
Rizal’s misfortune is that he left great volumes of literary works and letters to a nation that does not
read. Because Filipinos do not read, our country does not progress as a reflective society.
Rizal’s writings will help us to know who we are as Filipinos. It is only through knowledge and education
that we can be free as a nation.
By reading his works and the many books about him, we are reminded why Rizal was against
Bonifacio’s revolution. He wanted our country to be free, but he knew that we were not yet ready at
that time. Rizal wrote: “Countrymen, I have given proofs, as much as any one else, of desiring liberties
for our country, and I still desire them. But I made them conditional on the education of the people so
that by means of learning and work they would have their own personality and make themselves
worthy of such liberties.”
It is only through freedom from ignorance that we can truly be free. Rizal affirmed in “Noli” that liberty
is useless “when the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow.” Thus, Rizal as a reformist wanted
a “reformation” in the values and hearts of the Filipino people. Because when Filipinos are corrupt,
our country suffers the same fate of slavery. We become slaves to the powerful elite and corrupt
politicians in our country. We are slaves no longer to foreigners, but to our own brothers.
As we look at the statue of Rizal, may it give us precious moments to think deeply about our nation
through history and reading. Rizal is a great thinker and voracious reader. He is the model of an
enlightened being. The only way to escape from the shadow and chain of poverty and injustice is
through education. We are only free when our minds are free.
Unfortunately, Rizal is irrelevant today because many people remain ignorant. But Rizal is more than
relevant, because he is the soul of our nation. When we know him, perhaps we will learn to know who
we are.
RADO GATCHALIAN
Sydney, Australia
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Rizal 101: Remembering the man
By: Rado Gatchalian
Philippine Daily Inquirer
June 19, 2019
Today’s generation may see Rizal as an idea, a symbol, an epitome of national pride, excellence and
patriotism. But this idea may either prosper or die in vain.
As we move to a sophisticated, more technologically advanced time, everything changes. Every
teaching is ultimately tested by a criterion known as pragmatism. An idea can only survive the
challenges of time if its concept can be translated into actions, result-driven and predictable.
So, how about Rizal and his teachings? How can they prosper and last? How can they influence the
fate of our nation? How can we ensure that his legacy is remembered?
As we commemorate and celebrate his birthday every June 19 and his martyrdom every Dec. 30, we
need to ask: Have we turned into blind followers or, worse, ignorant followers? Do we celebrate
because we understand his writings and teachings? Do we commemorate because we emulate him?
Or do we admire the man just because it feels good to be part of this national consciousness?
Has Rizal Day become just a day of ritual wreath-offering?
Does Renato Constantino’s “Veneration without Understanding” ring true in our case?
How many of us have read his novels “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”? How many Filipinos
have dissected the meaning of his last poem, “Mi Ultimo Adios”? Have we really understood what he
fought for through his works and writings? Some will even argue that he never “fought,” as he was
not a revolutionary man like Bonifacio but a reformist.
Do we really know him? And if we know him, do we follow him?
Knowing Rizal is different from “doing” Rizal. Knowledge may blossom, but wisdom is rare.
It is time to examine our national consciousness, particularly how we identify ourselves and our sense
of nationhood with this man we profess to admire.
There is no harm in admiring this hero. But the challenge is to live as Filipinos according to Rizal’s
teachings.
Who really is Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal? This is the question every Filipino should seek and understand.
How we see him is how we see our country.
Rizal was rational. A man of intellect and high integrity.
He was a seeker of knowledge. Rizal was prepared to question authority and the Church.
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Rizal was a reflective man. He translated his ideas into voluminous words and writings.
Rizal was an action man. He was not idle. Wherever he went, he achieved great things.
We Filipinos who say we admire him and take pride as the heirs of his heroism: Do we seek knowledge?
Do we question authority, even that of the Church? Do we love to read and write? Do we help our
fellow Filipinos and contribute to our society?
We need to be truthful to the Rizalian cause. It is a challenge. It is a must that we read his works. For
how can we know him if we haven’t read any of his writings?
Thus, a pragmatic issue is at hand. Will his works become obsolete? Will the new generation find joy
reading his novels amid the onslaught of technology? Rizal’s life and teachings will fade if we will fail
to commit to study and follow him.
Rizal’s love for his country was eternal and sublime. Let this legacy remain vibrant in each Filipino.
A challenge, then, for all of us: Before we pay our respects to him and offer flowers at his statue, let
us nurture the hunger to seek out and learn from his writings and ideas. Then, let us strive to follow
his example, in words and in deeds.
May his ideas become alive in all of us. Let them not die in vain.
***
Rado Gatchalian is from Dagupan City, Pangasinan. He moved to Sydney, Australia, in 2006. He is
currently the vice president of the Philippine Community Council of New South Wales, the peak body
of Filipino groups in NSW. He writes poetry and regularly contributes to The Philippine Community
Herald Newspaper, a Sydney-based newspaper. He is an ardent admirer of Rizal.
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XIII
MGA TULA
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HINDI LAHAT SA IYO’Y PAPANAW
(Ang Lampara ni Rizal)
20 October 2022
Habang pinipiga mo ang nababad
na pawis sa iyong panaginip,
maya-maya’y ginigising ka ng ‘yong diwang
nagpapatiwakal sa magdamag na pag-ibig;
Subalit walang bubungad sa umaga
maliban ang hiningang malalim,
kasing lalim ng lupang tinabunan
ng mga alaalang nakalimutan;
Puspos ng biyayang hindi mabilang-bilang
subalit walang katapusang paglalakbay.
Aling pangarap ang sasadyain sa daigdig
kung ‘yong pananampalataya’y balakid?
Walang makikipagdigma sa labang
sa una pa lang ay sawi’t kabiguan;
Gumising ka sa gabing hikahos sa liwanag,
hanapin mo ang lamparang umaakay
sa kasaysayang nalimot ng kabataan,
at muli mong subukang lumaban kahit di magtagumpay.
Lumaban ka hindi dahil ika’y matapang,
lumaban ka dahil ito lang ang paraan —
Upang mabuhay nang walang kamatayan,
Isang pangarap na tatanglaw sa kalawakan!
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SPOKEN WORDS: KUNG ANG BAWAT PILIPINO AY KATULAD
LAMANG NG REBULTONG ITO
19 June 2021
Oh Jose, Oh Jose, kung ang bawat Pilipino
ay katulad lamang ng rebultong ito
Siguro, siguro, matatag, malakas, matibay ang ating pagkatao.
Oh Jose, Oh Jose, kung ang bawat Pilipino
ay kawangis lamang ng rebultong ito
Siguro, siguro, may luha sa ating mga mata
para sa mga inaapi at walang kasama.
Oh Jose, Oh Jose, kung ang bawat Pilipino
ay kawangis lamang ng rebultong ito
Siguro, siguro may ngiti sa ating mga mukha
sa tagumpay ng ating kapwa.
Oh Jose, oh Jose, kung ang bawat Pilipino
ay katulad lamang ng rebultong ito
Siguro ang Pilipinas
masagana, payapa, at dakila.
Oh Jose, Oh Jose, kung ang bawat Pilipino
ay katulad lamang ng rebultong ito
Siguro ang ating bayan
sisikat sa isang umaga na may kinang.
Oh Jose, Oh Jose, bilang panwakas,
Bakit kailangan pang ipaalala ng rebultong ito
Na ang pagkabayani ay hindi tulad ng bato,
Walang saysay, walang buhay, walang puso.
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RIZAL
20 June 2022
(Ang tulang ito ay binasa ng mga Kabataang Pilipino sa Pilipinas)
Rizal, turuan mo akong lingunin
Ang kahapon kahit masakit tanggapin,
Sabihin mo sa akin ano ba ang dapat kong gawin,
Bagama’t kulang ang aking kaalaman
Kaya ko bang matutunan
Ang isang kasaysayan na sa akin ay parang hangin na lamang?
Magagalit ka ba sa akin
Kung tila ba’y hindi ko binigyang pansin
Ang pinaglaban mo para sa bayan namin?
Lumuluha ka ba ngayon kung nasaan ka man
Dahil napag-iwanan na ang lupang iyong ikinamatay
Para sa akin at sa aming lahat na Pilipino, ngayon at bukas?
Rizal, mapapatawad mo ba ako
Kung hindi ko minahal ang Lupang Pangako
Gaya ng pag-ibig na inalay mo?
Rizal, sadya bang nananalig ka sa aming kabataan
Na kami ang pag-asa ng bayan
Kahit na ang aming iniisip ay para sa sarili lamang?
Rizal, may kabuluhan pa ba
Ang iyong kamatayan habang kaming nabubuhay
Ay katulad ng batong walang pagmamahal?
Rizal, meron pa bang katuparan
Ang iyong matamis na pangarap
Kung ako ay sumuko na sa iyong pinaglaban?
Rizal, galit ka ba kung maging ang tatlong martir
Ay tinawag na MaJoHa sa halip na GomBurZa?
Ako ba’y mangmang o sadyang walang pakialam?
Oh aking Bayang Pilipinas, patawad, patawad sa iyo,
Oh aking bayaning Doctor Jose Rizal, patawad, patawad po,
Hilumin mo ako gaya ng paghilom mo sa Bayan Ko.
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LUWALHATI
Para kay Paciano Rizal
23 February 2020
baybayin mo ang luwalhating
katulad ng humihingang pag-ibig:
huwag mo nang alamin
kung ito ay mababaw o malalim.
hanapin mo ang panatang tapat
na ang hangad ay maging malaya lang —
wala nang hihigit pa sa kalayaang
ang pinagmulan ay kaluluwang naghahanap.
sa tuwing kausap mo ang buwan:
tanungin mo kung bakit ang kanyang liwanag
ay kailangang ipagkaloob ng haring araw —
nasaan ang sa iyo’y pinagkait na kinang?
kung malimot man ng kasaysayan
baybayin mo pa rin ang luwalhating
hinahanap ang tunay na kapayapaan:
dito sa lupa at maging sa abang langit.
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LIHAM PARA SA KABABAIHANG PILIPINA
(Inspirasyon mula sa Liham ni Rizal para sa mga Kababaihan ng Malolos)
24 February 2021
Ito rin ay nailimbag sa Australian Filipina. 01 August 2022.
1.
Kung di kalabisan: matutong lumaban nang patas,
hindi lang sa paghugot ng damdamin at salita;
Maging matapang dahil pinaglalaban ang tama
at gamit ang inyong talino at isip na matalas.
2.
Mag-ingat sa inyong matamis na pananalita,
Itiklop ang bibig sa mga paninira sa kapwa;
Pagsumikapang baguhin ang imaheng Pilipina,
may paggalang sa sarili at sa iba.
3.
Pagsumikapang matuto at magbasa ng libro,
ang kaalaman pa rin ang magliligtas sa inyo;
Ang tunay na kalayaan ay makakamtan lamang
kung ang karunungan ang inyong sandalan.
4.
Huwag paaapi, huwag susuko sa diablo ng lipunan,
maging matapang dahil ito ang kailangan;
Huwag magpakamartir sa taong di marunong magmahal,
nararapat lamang na ibigay sa inyo ang dangal.
5.
Pag-isipang mabuti kung ano ang mas nararapat:
ang kagandahang-panloob ang mas nakaaangat;
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Hindi ang palamuting kumikinang sa labas,
kundi ang kabutihan ng pusong marangal.
6.
Hanapin niyo ang pinakaiingatang yaman
sa tagumpay at ligaya ng inyong mga anak;
Subalit huwag malumbay sa pagkabigo,
ang mahalaga ay panatag, may buhay, at buo.
7.
Manalangin dahil napupuspos ng pag-ibig,
nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa;
Pasasalamat at kabanalan ang inyong pananalig,
maging panatag subalit mapagkumbaba.
8.
Umiyak at ibuhos ang lahat ng hinagpis,
babaeng may kirot at naghahanap ng lambing;
Subalit huwag susuko sa anumang pagsubok,
bumangong muli at huwag maging marupok.
9.
Ang mundo sa inyo ay nagbibigay-pugay!
Pilipinang may dangal at lubos na nagmamahal:
sa pamilya, anak, kaibigan, at Inang Bayan.
Ang Pilipinas ay binigyan niyo ng natatanging buhay!
10.
Sa bawat ate, binibini, guro, lola, at ina, maraming salamat
sa inyong sakripisyo, pagtitiis, at paghihirap —
Binigyan niyo ng pangarap at kinabukasan
ang kabataang uhaw sa pagmamahal subalit pag-asa ng bayan!
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ANG PAG-IIBIGAN NINA JOSE RIZAL AT O-SEI-SAN
ANG PALITANG LIHAM AT TULA NINA RIZAL AT O-SEI-SAN
RIZAL POETRY PROJECT 2022
A collaboration of
Tula’t Panulat Para kay Rizal
and
Musing of A Knights of Rizal by ABG, KGOR
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MINAMAHAL KONG O-SEI-SAN
Ni Rado Gatchalian, KOR
12 February 2022
Minamahal kong O-Sei-San,
Ang aking puso’t alaala ay iiwan sa iyong bayang Japan;
Batid kong iniwan ko rin sa iyo ang isang mabigat na kalungkutan,
Ang iyong pagtangis sa gabi at araw,
Hindi ko kayang pagbayaran,
Walang kapatawaran ang aking paglisan…
Minamahal kita nang lubusan,
Totoo ito aking mahal na O-Sei-San;
Subalit ang kapalaran ay sadyang mapaglaro,
Kailangang pumili sa pagitan ng bayan at puso;
Ayaw kitang iwan kung maaari lang
Subalit naghihintay sa akin ang Inang Bayan.
Masakit man sa akin ang ikaw ay iwan,
Pipilitin kong tiisin, kahit na anong hirap,
Ang pag-ibig sa aking lupang sinilangan
Ay hindi ko kayang talikuran;
Patawad mahal kong O-Sei-San,
Subalit tandaan mong hindi kita malilimutan.
Ang iyong ganda’y kawangis ng pulang araw,
May init sa damdamin, may kakaibang kapangyarihan,
Ang iyong ngiti’y bulaklak na aking hahalikan,
Sa aking puso’y may halimuyak hanggang kamatayan;
Paalam sinisinta kong O-Sei-San,
Sayonara, sayonara, aking minamahal.
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O SEI SAN, IISANG BUWAN
Ni Alwyn Baltazar Galela, KGOR
Sa pagbasa ni Hedda Tady (Rise Pilipino)
Salamat Dr. Rizal, salamat matipuno kong kawal
Salamat at ngayon ako’y hihimlay
Na may ngiti ng iyong alaala
Kahit sadlit man lang…
Lumipas ang humigit na limampung taon
Di pa rin malimot ang magandang kahapon
Umibig sa isang dayuhan
Puno ng pangarap at kasiyahan
Unang pag-ibig sa isang dayuhan
Mahirap isipin kung paano namulatan
Dakila at dalisay na pag-iibigan
Na namuo’t natapos sa iisang buwan
Simula’t sapul maraming pinagkaiba
Ngunit sa tadhana ay walang makahuhusga
Parehong puso ay sapat na
Pag-iibigan dulo’t ng kapalaran na sa akin ay kasinta-sinta
Lumayo ka man akin mahal
Upang ang iyong bansa’y paglinkuran
Kapiraso ng aking puso
Sa iyo’y nakalaan
Ngayon buhay ko’y malapit nang umidlip
Ala-ala mo’y kasama sa aking nalalaang panaginip
Sa nakaraang pag-iibigan
Na namuo’t natapos ng iisang buwan
Salamat matipuno kong Dr. Rizal
Kahit man lang sa kahulihulihan
Aking babalik-balikan ang ating ngitian
Na dulot ng ating pag-iibig na namuo’t natapos ng iisang Buwan
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SA AKING MGA KABABATA
09 January 2022
Makinig aking mga kabataan
Narito ang isang hamon sa inyong lahat:
Hanapin mo ang turo ng nakaraan,
Sikapin mong yakapin ang katotohanan.
Subalit kung ano man ang totoo
Matutong makinig sa lahat ng kwento,
Kung ano man ang ipinaglalaban mo
Maging bukas sa pananaw ng ibang tao.
Mahal kong mga kapatid,
Batid kong ang katotohanan ay may balakid:
Ang ating limitado at marupok na pag-iisip
At maging ang ating mapusok na damdamin.
Maging mahinahon at matiisin,
Kung isang araw ay makamit mo ang karunungan
Huwag mong hayaang maging alipin
Sa inaakala mong ikaw at ikaw ang tama lamang.
Bagama’t tungkulin mo ang alamin ang tama,
Isa ring banal ang matuto sa iyong pagkakamali;
Huwag kang matakot na yumapak sa lupa
Dahil maging ang langit ay may luha at hikbi.
Kung ang iyong katapangan ang iyong lakas
Huwag mong kalimutan ang pag-ibig ay banal;
Ang katotohanan ay kailangang ipaglaban
Subalit mabuhay pa rin nang mapayapa’t payak.
Aking minamahal na kababayan,
Marahil hindi magtatagpo ang ating landas
Subalit huwag mong kalimutan
Na iisang lupa ang ating pinagmulan.
Kung bukas ay malimot tayo ng ating mga anak,
Maging matatag at patuloy na mabuhay;
Ang ating iiwang alaala ang yaman ng hinaharap,
Ang ating kamatayan ang naghihintay na alamat.
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Kung Paanong ang Pag-ibig ay Muling Sumibol
(Para kay Gat Jose Rizal)
30 December 2021
Kung paanong ang aking daing
Ay hikbi ng kahapong alipin
Ako ngayo’y nagsusumamo sa bawat kabataan:
Matuto at huwag makalimot sa nakaraan.
Kung ang bawat langit
Ay karugtong ng aking panulat
Alalahanin niyong sa buhos ng ulan
Naroon akong inyong kapiling.
Makulay ang rosas at gumamela sa hardin
Subalit naninilim pa rin ang paningin,
Minumutawing lagi ang aking pangalan
Subalit ang kaluluwa ay ligaw sa kalawakan.
Kung paanong ang pag-ibig ay muling sumibol
Sa kamatayang ang tanging pangarap ay lumaya,
Hayaan mong hanapin kita nang buong-puso ngayon,
At kung di man maligaya, dalangin nawang ang baya’y masagana.
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Aming Dakilang Bayani
30 December 2021
Oh aming bayaning hindi mapigil
Sa pag-ibig na dalisay sa Bayang Magiliw
Ang buhay na pinagkaloob
Sa lupang naghihimutok
Oh Dakilang Jose na namatay para sa bayan
Narito kami ngayon at ginugunita ang iyong kabayanihan
Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo,
May halaga pa ba sa bawat Pilipino?
Ibarra, Maria Clara, Kawawang Sisa, Crispin, at Basilio,
May puwang pa ba pangalan nila sa ating puso?
Oh aming Dakilang Bayani
Ang puso nami’y nagdadalamhati
Ang Inang Bayang Pilipinas na iyong minamahal
Sabik sa yakap at halik sa aming nakalimot na Anak.
Subalit salamat oh salamat Gat Jose Rizal —
Sa iyong kamatayan ang Bayan ay muling nabuhay…
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Isang Piso
(Para kay Pepe)
Rizal Day 2018
(Ito ay binasa sa Konsulado Heneral ng Pilipinas – Sydney noong Hunyo 19, 2021)
Katulad ng isang pirasong pilak
Ang kinang ba’y kusang kumukupas?
Ang pagkabayani ba’y naglahong bula
At walang natatanging alaala?
Wala na bang halaga ang bawat luha
At tapang ay unti-unting nanghihina?
Kanino ba hahanapin ang pag-asa
Ang bantayog ba’y may handog na himala?
Malimot man ng mga bagong nilalang
Ang iyong puso’y tumitibok sa Lupang Hinirang.
Hindi man mabigyan ng tunay na parangal
Ang iyong kamatayan ang siyang tagumpay.
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Ang Larawan ni Pepe
30 December 2016
(Ito ay binasa sa Konsulado Heneral ng Pilipinas – Sydney noong Hunyo 19, 2021)
Isa ka lang bang larawan
Sa pusong naghahanap ng kasagutan?
Isang rebultong maghapong nakababad
Sa init ng araw?
Habang tinititigan ang hulma at kulay
Hinahanap ang iyong kaluluwa
Sa isang pirasong papel at panulat.
Wala pala roon ang aking hinahanap.
Sa pusong manlalakbay
May sampagitang iaalay.
Dala-dala ko ang iyong larawan
Malayo o malapit man sa bayan:
Nakalamina sa isang sulok, sa pusong tumitibok tibok...
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ADIOS PATRIA ADORADA
(Para kay Dr. Jose Rizal. Rizal Day 2020)
Sa iyong kamatayan
Binuhay mo ang Lupang Nahimlay;
May dilim na tinago ng mapait na kasaysayan
Subalit ang pag-ibig ay kusang nagliyab
Sa panaghoy ng balang kumitil sa iyong buhay.
Paalam sa Bayang iyong minamahal
Ang ganda ma’y hindi mo na muling masisilayan,
Ang iyong pagsinta’y patuloy sa iyong panulat
Muli at mananatili kang buhay.
Paalam sa Bayang hindi mo kinalimutan
Sa iyong kamatayan
May liwanag na naghihintay
Para sa kinabukasan, para sa kabataan.
Paalam Bayang sinisintang tunay
Ang iyong buhay at kamatayan
Ang buod ay pag-ibig na dalisay.
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Pitasin Mo Ang Aking Pag-ibig
(Para kay Gat Jose Rizal at Josephine Bracken)
14 December 2021
May isang bulaklak na ang tanging amoy
ay palamuti sa dambanang walang
krus o maging larawan
Hinahanap ang kagandahan
na kung tutuusin ay hindi na kailangan
sapagkat ang bawat pitas ay buhay
Tanggapin mo ang bulaklak na ito
kung ang kulay man ay langit at batis
hayaan mong malantang kusa na parang pag-ibig
At kung malimot mo man ang halimuyak
hanapin mong muli ang dambana
kung saan nangakong magsasama sa hirap at ginhawa
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LIGA PAGKAKAISA
(Para sa ika-129 anibersaryo ng La Liga Filipina)
Pangarap ni Pepe ang pagmamahalan
At pagkakaisa ng sambayanang Pilipino;
Libo-libong pulo subalit iisang bayan,
Iba-ibang salita subalit iisang dugo.
Mula noon hanggang ngayon nananatiling bigo,
Isang pangarap na lamang na maglalaho;
Subalit habang kaisa sa pangarap si Gat Jose Rizal
Tayo’y manalig na masilayan ang nagkakaisang bayan.
Oh, aming dakilang bayani, salamat sa panalangin!
Nawa’y patuloy ang makabayang mithiin.
La Liga Filipina: tayo ay magkaisa!
Lahing Pilipino: isang pangarap para sa Inang Lupa.
Halina mga kapatid, ipagdiwang ang kapatiran!
Hindi para sa sarili, sa halip ay para sa minamahal na bayan.
Damhin natin ang pagkakaisa sa halimuyak ng sampagita,
Hindi man nakikita ang amoy, alam nating may pag-asa pa.
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ANG HULING HABILIN
(Ika-160 Kaarawan ni Dr. Jose P. Rizal. 19 June 2021)
Hinihiling ko na ihabilin mo ang pinakahuli
mong pag-ibig para sa lupang iyong hinagkan
nang higit pa sa iyong kasintahan,
o mas higit pa sa iyong sarili.
Kung itinakda lang sana ng kapalaran
na humaba pa ang iyong buhay:
sana marami ka pang naibigay sa bayan.
Subalit kailangang magpaalam
sa bayang iyong pinagkalooban
ng lahat-lahat ng iyong galing.
Sa iyong kamatayan
nabuhay ang nakahimlay na bayan.
Sa iyong kamatayan
ipinanganak na muli ang bayani.
Sa iyong kamatayan
sumibol ang walang kamatayang alamat.
Hiling ko lang na sana ay
masabi mo sa aking pandinig
ang bulong at sigaw
kung gaano mo kamahal ang Pilipinas:
“Minamahal kita. Minamahal kita!”
Subalit wala na, wala na.
Sa tunog ng bala:
hindi ko lang narinig ang iyong habilin —
Tumagos sa aking puso
ang pinakatibok ng iyong damdamin…
“Pilipinas, Pilipinas, ikaw lang, ikaw lang
ang tanging pinakamamahal…”
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PANAGHOY NG TATLONG PILIPINO
(Crispin-Basilio-Sisa Series. Ang mga tulang ito ay unang lumabas sa The FILOsopher)
ANG PAGHAHANAP KAY CRISPIN
(Unang serye)
08 June 2021
Oras na, ng pakikipagtunggali
sa isang labang walang magwawagi
kundi ang alaalang “natapos din.”
Subalit unti-unting pipitasin
ng mga guni-guning nakaipit
sa mga tinuping damit na nakatago sa dilim.
Ang kahapon ay muling nabuhay,
katulad ng isang kabuteng kumakaway
sa harding di nasisinagan ng araw.
Ang madilim na nakaraan
ay kumukurot at pasulyap-sulyap,
nagpaparamdam sa lagusan ng kawalan.
Subalit oras na ng pakikipaglaban
hindi sa mga akala nating kaaway
kundi sa sariling nawalan ng malay.
Sino ka? Sino ka nga ba talaga?
isang anghel na walang diyos,
isang paganong nagmamahal.
ANG PAGHAHANAP KAY BASILIO
(Ikalawang serye)
09 June 2021
Sabihin mo naman kung saan kita hahanapin,
at kung hindi man, hayaan mong
ang mga anito sa Banaue ay aking kausapin,
May paraan pa bang maidugtong
ang talata ng aking pangungulila
sa iyong tulang ang tugma’y kalawang.
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Sinilip ko maging ang butas ng karayom
wala, wala, wala ka roon,
at maging ang lubid ay nagmamaktol.
Di bale nang hindi kita makita
sabihin mo lang kung nasaan ka,
sabihin mo lang na ligtas ka.
Subalit titingala na lang ako sa langit
maghihintay ng kahit anong sambit
marinig ko lang ang salitang “paalam.”
ANG PAGHAHANAP KAY SISA
(Ikatlong serye)
10 June 2021
Halos isang dosenang pangungumpisal
at dalawang buwang pagluhod
ang kailangang tapatan
Upang ang kinatatakutan, maging pagkukulang
at anumang kabaliwan
ay kusang magpaalam.
Kung paanong tumitig sa iyong mata
ang imaheng nakatago nang mahabang panahon
sa loob ng iyong lumang aparador,
Hayaan mong ibuhos ang lahat ng iyong himutok,
ang lahat-lahat at bawat paghampas sa iyong likod
upang makamit lang ang patawad.
Hinahanap mo ang nawawala mong anak,
paano pa muling mahahawakan ang kanilang palad
at masabing “ikaw ay pinakamamahal.”
Patawad na lamang ba ang ugat ng paglaya,
maging sa pangungulila ng isang ina
ang tanging pag-asa ay bulong ng “halika.”
102 | P a g e
ANG PAGKIKITA NINA SISA, BASILIO, AT CRISPIN
(Ika-apat na bahagi ng series ng Paghahanap kina Basilio, Crispin, at Sisa. Ito ang pagtatapos ng series
na ito bilang pag-alaala sa ating Araw ng Kalayaan tuwing a-dose ng Hunyo)
12 June 2021
Katulad ng walang kamatayang dusa
nakikiusap pa rin ang panaghoy
ng mga inapi’t nalimot ng tadhana.
Kung ang pagwagayway lamang ng bandila
ang sukatan ng tunay na kalayaan
marahil hindi na kailangan pang makibaka.
Nang ang bayan ay nabihag sa sariling pagkukunwari
wala ni isa man ang kayang lumaya
kundi ang kausapin ang aninong bulag sa dilim.
Sumisigaw ng katarungan ang bawat Sisa,
ang patak ng kanyang luha ay pakikiramay
sa mga nagkukunwaring makabayan.
Maging ngayon ay nawawala ang mga supling,
nilisan ang lupang tinamnan ng ating kaluluwa,
umaasang magbabalik sina Basilio at Crispin.
Kung may lungkot man ang pagsikat ng araw
Kung ang pula, bughaw, at puti ay mawalan ng kulay
ang kayumanggi ang handang mamatay para sa bayan.
103 | P a g e
SA DAPITAN
(Para kay Gat. Jose Rizal. Para sa gabing nangungulila’t may hinahanap)
Sa pinagsamang kolaborasyon ng TulaMusika, kasama ang ating musikero na si Rene Tinapay, at ng
Tula’t Panulat Para Kay Rizal, narito ang ating tula “Sa Dapitan” na sinulat ni Rado Gatchalian noong
28 Sept 2019 at ngayo’y nilapatan ng musika.
Sa Dapitan hinahanap ko ang larawan
Kung saan naglaho ang kalungkutan
Na parang hindi man lang nagdaan.
Maging hawla’y naging hardin ng Eden
May mga naglalarong kerubin
At may liwanag sa gabing madilim.
Kung ang lamig ay parang dampi at yakap
Mistulang hikbi ng inang naghahanap
Hayaan mo’t ang bituin ang karamay.
Malalim man ang hinahanap na yaman
Ang puso at isip ay nagbigay ng ugat
Na ang bunga ay pag-ibig na tapat.
______________
Si RENE TINAPAY ay tubong Davao at ngayon ay nakatira na sa Sydney, Australia. Isang composer at singer ng
ilang original songs at covers. Ang kanyang mga musika at performances ay makikita sa kanyang Facebook pages
na ENERSONGS at BreadLight. Siya ay naimbitahan sa SBS Filipino Radio upang itanghal sa ilan niyang mga awitin.
Si Kuya Rene ay nagpasimula ng tambalang TULAMUSIKA kasama si Rado Gatchalian kung saan ang mga tula ni
Rado ay kanyang nilapatan ng musika. Si Rene Tinapay: tunay na Pilipino, may pagmamahal sa Inang Bayan,
gitarista, alagad ng sining, at higit sa lahat, mapagkumbabang tao at tapat na kaibigan.
Si RADO GATCHALIAN ay tubong Dagupan City, Pangasinan na ngayon ay nasa Sydney, Australia. Dating guro sa
kolehiyo sa Pilipinas. Mula’t sapol ay nahilig sa pagsusulat lalo na sa tula. Naging abala sa pagsusuri lalo na sa
larangan ng pilosopiya, kasaysayan, relihiyon, at kulturang Pilipino. Si Rado ngayon ay bahagi ng kanyang mga
adbokasiya at platforms sa Facebook gaya ng The FILOsopher, TulaMusika, TuLarawan, Kapihan at Aklatan ni
Pilosopo Tasyo, Tula’t Panulat Para Kay Rizal, abpa. Sa kanyang blogs ay lumabas ang kanyang mga panayam
kina National Artist for Literature F Sionil Jose at Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales. Si Rado ay isang
community leader at volunteer din. Naging VP External ng the Philippine Community Council of New South
Wales. Sa kasalukuyan ay acting President ng One Pangasinan Association of Australia. Archivist ng Knights of
Rizal Northern Sydney Chapter. Contributor ng pahayagang The Philippine Community Herald Newspaper at
Bayanihan News. Ilan sa kanyang panulat ay lumabas sa Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper, isang pang-national
na pahayagan sa Pilipinas. Si Rado Gatchalian: isang makata, pilosopo, makabayan, guro, at higit sa lahat, isang
kaibigan para sa karamihan.
104 | P a g e
105 | P a g e
PAALAM AKING SINTA
(Mula kay Pepe, para kay Josefina)
13 February 2021
Sa Dapitan hinubog natin ang kabuuan ng ating pag-iibigan
At sa Bagumbayan ay iniwan ang pusong sugatan.
Isang natuyong batis sa iyong matang luhaan,
Kung ang kapalaran man ay may pagkukulang —
Lilisanin kitang may labis na kalungkutan.
Oh Josefina, aking pinakamamahal,
Maging matatag sa aking paglisan.
Ang aking kamatayang hindi kayang mapigilan —
Iyong alalahaning minahal kita nang lubusan.
Oh Josefina, kaawa-awa kong sinta,
Yakapin mo ako nang mahigpit sa huling gunita.
May hapdi at kirot sa aking pagwawakas —
Sana mapatawad mo ako sa aking tinahak.
Sa umagang di mo na ako makikita pa,
Mananatili ako sa puso mong nagdurusa.
Kung papayagan man ng Dakilang Maykapal —
Makapiling kang muli sa susunod na paglalakbay.
Minamahal kita, minamahal kita aking Josefina,
Paalam, paalam, hanggang sa muli nating pagkikita!
106 | P a g e
ANG PALITANG-TULA NINA PEPE AT LEONOR
ANG AKING MARIA CLARA
(Para kay Leonor Rivera)
ni Rado Gatchalian, KR
Oh sinisinta kong Leonor, ang aking Maria Clara,
Ang puso kong sa iyo’y naghihintay tuwina,
Ikaw ang tinitibok ng aking puso mula noon pa,
Ako man ay lumisan papuntang Europa —
Ang iyong haplos at yakap ay aking kasama.
Maging liham ko’y sa hangin lang ang punta,
Walang kasagutan, nilimot ng sawing alaala.
Ikaw ang aking minamahal, ganap at walang duda,
Sampong taon tayong dalawa’y katuwang ng tadhana,
Subalit ang tadhana rin pala ang magwawakas na kusa.
Ibibigay ko ang rosas at sampaguita,
Ang halimuyak ay mga halik ng aking pangungulila,
Itago mo ito sa tahanan ng iyong kaluluwa,
Sa pagsapit ng gabi, susungkitin natin ang bawat tala.
Oh Leonor, nagdurugo man ang aking puso,
Hindi para sa atin ang sinumpaang pangako,
Maghihintay pa rin kahit sa kabilang buhay,
Ang pag-ibig ay hindi mahihimlay,
Magmamahal at muling magmamahal
Kung di man ngayon, ang bukas ay naghihintay.
107 | P a g e
SAAN KA AKING MAHAL
(Para kay Pepe)
ni Alwyn Galela, KGOR
Pepe asan ka ba’t di ka man lang nagpakita?
Huling liham mo sa akin ay kay tagal na
Ako ba’y nalimot at di man lamang naala-ala
Irog ko nasaan ka?
Tinadhana ba ni Bathala na tayo tuluyang mawalay
Pag-iibigan ba wala ng saysay?
Ngayon sa napakatagal na panahon tayo ay magkawalay
Makasal sa iba ang ibig ni Inay
Hindi ako nagkulang at laging umasa
Na kahit sa huling pagkakataon maala-ala
Ating Dalisay na pag-ibig
Na tila ba’y limot mo na
Oh Pepe, nagdurugo man ang aking puso
Iibigin ko pang hininga’y mawala
Kung iyong pag-mamahal ay di madarama
Oh Pepe, irog ko nasaan ka?
Huling ala-ala na dulot ng iyon liham
Sana sa aking pag-walay, abo nito’y makasama
Upang kahit sa libingan tayo’y magkaisa
Paalam Taymis, mahal na kaisa-isa
——————————
Unang nailimbag sa Munting Nayon website:
http://muntingnayon.com/105/105893/index.php...
——————————“Ang Muling Pagkabuhay ng Walang Kamatayang Pag-iibigan nina Pepe at Leonor”
A Special Valentine’s Day Presentation
13 February 2021
Launched at Musings of a Knights of Rizal (Youtube channel)
108 | P a g e
109 | P a g e
110 | P a g e
Bagong Bayani
(Para kay Gat Jose Rizal)
09 February 2018
Kung mabubuhay ngang muli
Ang ating pambansang bayani —
Yayakapin ba ng sariling lahi
At iibigin nang walang pagkukunwari?
Makisig na susuriin ang bayang pinaglaban
May bunga ba ang kanyang kamatayan?
Sa kanyang muling paglalakbay
Hahanapin ang kalayaang tunay —
Ang bawat Pilipino may ligaya sa puso,
Matatag, at taas-noo bilang isang tao.
Hindi kailangang maging bayaning muli
Para ipakita na ikaw ay katangi-tangi.
Hanapin mo lang ang iyong halaga
At ialay ito sa ating pinakamamahal na bansa.
111 | P a g e
Lumang Pahina
(Para kay Pepe)
30 December 2016
Para kanino ba ang panulat
Kundi sa bagong kabataang
Magsisimula pa lang maglayag.
Hindi lang sa lakas ng bisig
Lulusong ang bangkang namamahinga
Kundi sa dunong na namulat
Sa pag-aaral ng buhay at kasaysayan.
Totoong ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan.
At umaasa na sana ang isip at diwa
Ay nahulma sa bawat pahina:
Ang kanyang salita'y kaluluwa ng lupang minamahal.
112 | P a g e
Ang Lampara
(Para kay Gat Jose Rizal)
Rizal Day 2017
Kung ang pakay ng bawat anak ng bayan
Ay ang wakasan ang kahirapan
At hanapin nang lubusan ang katotohanan —
Hindi ba’t gaya rin ng isang munting mariposa
Na nahumaling sa ganda ng ilaw sa lampara
Mayakap mo ang liwanag at ang buhay ay mawawala.
Hindi sukat akalaing ang buhay ay ialay
Upang ang baya’y makapiling man lang ang liwanag na hinahanap
Hindi man para sa iyo — nais mong makita ito ng mga Pilipino.
Alin ba ang mas mahalaga:
Ang mabuhay subalit walang laya
O ang mamatay para ito ay matamasa?
Kung kami man ay makalimot sa iyong handog
Kami’y patawarin at nawa’y ang pagmamahal ay ipagkaloob
Sa bayang iyong inibig nang walang alinlangan at pagod.
At habang amin ding hinahanap ang liwanag
Masulyapan lang sana namin ang bunga ng iyong pinaglaban
Gaya ng isang mariposa — kami ay lilipad upang hanapin ang nawawalang kislap...
113 | P a g e
BAGUMBAYAN
30 December 2019
Kung malaya ang bandila
Gaya ng ibong agila
At ang bantayog ng kadakilaan
Ay isang palamuti sa Perlas ng Silangan —
May halimuyak ang dugong handog
Sa bayang inalipin ng kahapon.
Ang hikbi ng simoy ng hangin
Maging ang langit ay kusang nagdilim
Sa Bagumbayan nahimlay ang bayani
Bansang malaya ang tanging mithi.
Ang iyong iniwang alaala
Sa kabataa’y puno ng pag-asa,
At kung ang bayan ay nakalimot
Ang umaga’y nagpapahiwatig ng kirot —
Ang iyong kamatayang sadyang inalay
Nagbigay buhay sa lupang nahimlay.
114 | P a g e
ESTATWA
(Isang Palangin Para Kay Rizal)
30 December 2019
Kung di man maaninag ang kinang ng kanyang pluma
At ang rebulto’y nagmistulang bato na pangarap
At kung malimot ng panahon ang kanyang alaala
Nasaan ang ganda at kapayapaan na hinahanap.
Kung ang puso ay may himutok at luha
Sa paggunita ng kanyang kamatayan —
Ang aking usal at panalangin sa Maykapal
Ang kanyang pinaglaban ay wag mahimlay.
At kung ang bayan man ay mawalan ng pag-asa
Aking susuyuin ang bawat kabataan —
Kami’y bigyan ng lakas at maging panatag
May liwanag na naghihintay sa darating na umaga.
At kung sa akin ay nananalaytay
Ang isang dugong Pilipino:
Ang hibla ng aking kaluluwa at pagkatao
Para sa iyo aming pinakamamahal Gat Jose Rizal!
115 | P a g e
BAYANI
12 October 2020
Ang iyong kayamanan ay namunga
Sa bawat binhing iniwan sa lupa;
Hindi man muling makikita pa,
Sa halimuyak ng bulaklak naroon ang alaala.
Ang iyong kamatayang inalay na kusa
May langit na walang hanggang magluluksa;
At sa tuwing sasapit ang tag-ulan
Maaalala ang iyong kabayanihan.
Sa dapithapon ay nanunuyo ang damdamin
Ipaglalaban ang inalay mong pag-ibig.
Kung ang bagong kabataan
Malimot ang iyong kadakilaan,
Sa bandila’y may kislap ng bituin at araw
Ang magpapaalala sa iyong handog na buhay.
116 | P a g e
UNANG PILIPINO
24 June 2020
May isang binhing sumibol sa puso ng Kalamba
At dito nabuo ang isang matipunong hibla,
Sa tag-ulan at tag-araw, matatag at masikap,
Di naglaon namunga ang taimtim na pangarap.
Itinaguyod ang lahing kayumanggi,
Lumaban sa Kastilang mapang-api.
Ang obrang di saklaw ng kulay ng balat,
Talino’t galing ang tanging panukat.
Sa takipsilim, naroon ang pananampalataya,
Sa bukang-liwayway, naghihintay ang pag-asa,
At sa lupang tinamnan ng wagas na pagmamahal
May isang Pilipinong inalay ang buhay at kamatayan.
117 | P a g e
FRANCISCO
(Tula para sa Ama ni Gat Jose Rizal)
21 June 2020
Bagama’t napakaikli ng panayam ng kasaysayan
Ukol sa buhay ng ama ni Doktor Jose Rizal —
Gaya ng isang batis na dalisay at tahimik
Kadalasan ang hiwaga ay di kayang mabanggit.
Kung anuman ang naging pagsubok—
Binuhay ang pamilya nang malugod.
Ang amang nangulila sa anak na pinagpala,
Palagiang malayo sa tabi at nasa ibang bansa.
Ang sinapit ni Jose sa kamay ng Kastila,
Napakasakit sa damdamin ng isang ama.
Kung napapaos man ang natitirang lakas
At ang anak ay di na masisilayan bukas —
Anong hikbi pa ang kayang ibigay
Ng amang naghihintay sa bukang-liwayway?
May hinagpis at hapdi ang pusong banal,
May alay na bulaklak at isang dasal.
Marahil hindi na sapat pang mapagtanto
Kung sino ba talaga si Francisco Mercado,
Sapat na ang pasakit at pangungulila
At pag-ibig na hinandog ng isang ulirang ama.
118 | P a g e
Awit ng Makata
(Para kay Gat Jose Rizal)
Sa dalampasigan naroon ang daloy ng tubig
Kung saan ang pangarap ay naging pag-ibig,
Malalim man ang hugot ng dagat
Pipilitin kong suyurin ang marilag niyang yaman.
At habang sinusulat ang aking huling habilin
Maging ang saknong na ito’y may panalangin —
Huwag malimot ang bayang pinakamamahal
At ipaglaban ang kanyang dangal.
Kung ako man ay malimot ng kabataan:
Nawa’y maging matagumpay pa rin ang kinabukasan.
Batid kong lilisanin niyo rin ang bayang nakikiusap,
Kung hindi man ngayon, marahil ay bukas.
At sa iyong paglisan — iwan mo ang mapait na nakaraan,
Subalit, subalit, huwag mong kalimutan ang bayang pinagmulan.
Kung ang iyong buhay man ay maging sawi,
Hayaan mo’t may lupang naghihintay sa iyong pag-uwi.
Huwag kang bibitaw sa bandilang iyong karamay,
Huwag kang susuko para sa Lupang Hinirang.
Ang isang Pilipino’y lubos ang pagpapala —
Hindi lang sa salita kundi sa gawa.
At sa iyong pagbabalik sa lupang sinisinta
Pakinggan mo ang bulong ng araw at bituin:
May himig at pakiusap ng pagkakaisa,
Maligaya at banal kung ang lahat ay kapiling...
119 | P a g e
ISANG PISO
(Para kay Gat Jose Rizal)
19 June 2020
Sa dapit-hapon nakita ko roon
Ang sinag ng araw na may binubulong;
Kausap ang banal na langit
At may handog na panalangin.
Hindi ko man kailanman malalaman
Ang inalay na dasal –
Batid kong ang pakiusap
Ay para sa bayang minamahal.
At sa pagsapit ng gabi
Maging ang halimuyak ay may hikbi;
Kung ang aking pangalan man ay nasasambit
Hindi ko batid kung ito ay tapat o pilit.
Hindi ko malaman kung ako ay may kapangyarihan
O nagmistulang alamat sa aking mga kabataan.
Sa aking paghimlay
Dinig ko ang mga inang nagsusumigaw –
Nangangarap ng isang bayang marangal,
Mapayapa at may tunay na kalayaan.
Pinakamamahal kong kabataan,
Ako man ay nakaukit sa inyong puso
Ang tangi kong pangarap –
Hindi sana ito para lang kalansing ng isang piso.
Maging tapat sa pinangako –
Mapagmahal, matapang, at tapat na Pilipino!
120 | P a g e
Para kay Pepe
19 June 2016
Para saan ba at buhay mo'y binigay sa bayan?
Nasayang ba o nag-iwan ng kinang sa madla?
Sinilang kang may natatanging talino,
Higit sa lahat para sa baya'y may wagas na puso.
Sa iyong mga panulat
ang bayan ay namulat.
Tama ka yata sa pagsabing hindi pa tayo handa:
Ang pagiging malaya ay nagsisimula
sa paghahanda ng ating kamalayan:
Edukasiyon ang ating sandata.
Huwag sanang masayang ang sinapit mo sa Bagumbayan:
Ang baya'y muling nabuhay sa yong kamatayan.
Nawa'y di malimot na para lamang guhit sa piso:
Ang iyong pinaglaban para sa bawat Pilipino!
121 | P a g e
Muli, Para Sa Iyo
(Para kay Gat. Jose Rizal)
18 August 2019
Sa dapit-hapon, kulimlim
Man ang langit
At nanlalamig ang yakap ng hangin:
Sa wari ko’y hinahaplos
Ng iyong pluma
Ang naninikip kong dibbdib:
May hinahanap,
May katanungan,
May pangarap.
Kung bayan man ay nalimot
At kusang nalusaw na kandila —
Alalahaning may isang bayaning
Nagbuwis ng buhay
Para ako at ikaw
Ay may masilayang Pilipinas.
Kung ang kulay man ng bandila
Ay puti, dilaw, asul, at pula —
Huwag kalimutang ang bayan ay iisa.
Muli, para sa iyo
Aming Gat. Jose Rizal!
Hindi kailanman makakalimutan
Noon, ngayon, at sa hinaharap!
122 | P a g e
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
WHO IS RADO GATCHALIAN?
Prepared by Hedda Tady (based in Bangkok, Thailand)
and Sandy Lalata (based in California, USA)
Rado Gatchalian is an active Filipino community leader in Australia.
Nation-building is at the core of his passion, projects, and
movements. Rado marries his background in Philosophy and
Psychology and his previous career in Education, Community
Outreach Program, and Counselling to promote a stronger love for
the country and to call to action his fellow Filipinos for nationbuilding. His love for the Arts is evidenced through his poems,
essays, music and photography that continually inspire budding
artists not only in Australia but across the globe.
In 2019, Rado was the Vice-President External of the Philippine
Community Council of New South Wales. Currently, he is the
President of the One Pangasinan Association of Australia, VP
External of Tagalog Association of Australia, and the Deputy Area
Commander of Eastern Australia - KOR ANZO Region and the
Archivist of the Order of the Knights of Rizal, Northern Sydney
Chapter. He is a columnist of the Philippine Community Herald
Newspaper and a regular contributor to the Bayanihan News and
the Philippine Times in Australia. He has published articles in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, a leading
newspaper in the Philippines. He has recently joined Radio Tagumpay as a co-host.
As a blogger and social media influencer, he maintains Facebook social pages promoting poetry and
Filipino culture and values namely TulaMusika, TuLarawan, Poetography, Let’s Read Project, Tula’t
Panulat Para Kay Rizal, and The FILOsopher. He has interviewed some personalities such as the late F.
Sionil Jose, National Artist for Literature, Pilita Corrales, Asia’s Queen of Songs, and Senator Alan Peter
Cayetano, formerly the Speaker of the Upper and Lower Houses.
In February 2019, Rado was given a special commendation award by the Urdaneta City University,
Pangasinan, Philippines for his literacy advocacy and philanthropy. In April 2019, together with other
OFW leaders from different countries, Rado had a special audience with President Rodrigo Roa
Duterte held at the Malacañang Palace.
Recently on 19 July 2022 he was invited as one of the panel members, together with other noted
academicians with PhDs based in the Philippines and Australia, via webinar of the University of
Sydney’s Sydney Southeast Asia Centre’s Roundtable on the 2022 Philippine Presidential Election.
He was dubbed as a “modern commentator” by Philip Bowring in his book, The Making of the Modern
Philippines. Rado continues to focus his poems, essays, speeches, talks and content creation in social
media to shine more light on the works and life of Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines.
123 | P a g e
DISSECTING RADO GATCHALIAN
By Mars Cavestany, PhD
First published in The Philippine Community Herald Newspaper
November 2022 Edition
1. You are definitely a name to
reckon with
in
our
immediate
community now. As the saying goes,
you're here there and everywhere--are
practically dipped your fingers in every
pie. I am not saying this as a general
criticism but as an observation. My
question is where lies all that energy,
boundless enthusiasm and peoplecenteredness that seem to punctuate
your involvements not to mention your
obvious dedication and commitment to
your fellow kababayan migrants?
Looking at my life, I have been so
enthusiastic with many things since my
college days. What you see in me is what
I am. My life is not artificially scripted
where I deliberately do this and that for
my own sake. I do because I do. This is
what I believe, this is what I feel. It is difficult for me to say this here – as I do not normally want to talk
about what I do. But my life has been a life advocating a passionate and meaningful life. This passion
emanates from my philosophical and personal dictum of “Duty to Beauty.” My energy comes from this
duty – a duty to art, literature, culture, humanity, history. To Life itself. I want to believe that what I do
is for a higher purpose and reason. There is a higher purpose than my own life. I know this sounds too
deep and utopian for other people but sincerely this is the very ingredient that makes me alive – every
day. For me, every day is a new day, an opportunity to live and learn and be part of a creative existence.
What will be the meaning of life if not for something greater than who we are?
I am not sure as well why I am really like this – as I have said, it’s not like a script. It is who I am – inside
and outside. My mind explodes everyday with many projects I would like to do – not for myself but for
my fellow beings especially the youth and the Filipino people. To inspire others – in one way or another.
Looking back, I became a student leader as President of Students’ Council, a youth leader representing
Pangasinan province during the 4th National Youth Parliament, a student community volunteer, a
campus journalist as a literary editor for two years, and a working student at the same time; then, I
became college instructor, guidance counsellor, and Head/Coordinator of Community Outreach
Program Office both of University of Luzon and Urdaneta City University, at a very young age; and
ultimately, here I am now in Australia – doing this and that. As you can see my life has been so dynamic
and fluid. It was and it is - because my life is a life dedicated to Inspiration, Beauty, Humanity, Poetry,
People, and Meaning – and all integrated in the life and teachings of Dr Jose P. Rizal.
All my experiences in my life, from childhood to now – exposed to poverty, suffering, and injustices,
have made me so patriotic, empathetic, humble, yet brave and mature in how I look at things.
124 | P a g e
2. Very well. Let's roll back the time quickly. In a nutshell tell me when and how you migrated here
and what initiated your “entanglement" with the community. Personally, I remember discovering
you in a DU30 Sydney gathering, heard you recite a poem and found you interesting to enjoy in
PCHN. The rest is of course history. But surprisingly from PCHN, you spread your wings even more
so you’re with the Rizal group, became an active voice with the Tagalog Association, got involved
with PCC at one time or another, and now hosting a radio community program as well. I'm sure I
forgot others but now is your chance to put everything in context. Just answer this. WHAT IS
YOUR PERSONAL GAME PLAN?
With the list you have enumerated – it is fascinating, so fascinating, and this is true whether you believe
it or not, that all those involvements you mentioned came to me not from my own volition or plan. I
never wanted to become a leader or become a key figure in different groups – I did not plan the game
at all. It was given to me by accident, by mission, by the call of time. I am usually not superstitious but
somehow there is an Invisible Force that pushed me to become part of these groups and activities.
To be specific in this context: my leadership in DU30 groups (in Sydney, whole Australia, and global) –
I never imagined and intended that I would have critical and significant roles. In fact, I remember I only
wanted to become a participant; thus, I asked one FB DDS group if there would be a political rally in
Sydney. Many wanted to have one – but no one was willing to initiate; then, I felt I had no choice but
to start it. Same thing: not for myself but for others, for a higher purpose. And the rest, as you said, is
history.
The same thing with my involvements with our newspaper The Philippine Community Herald
Newspaper and the radio Radio Tagumpay. I did not apply for it; I was asked. I could have said no. My
mind would like to say no but it this Duty to Beauty that made all these things possible. And they are
all the same stories with the groups I am now part of.
Therefore, this makes me more resilient and strong – and authentic and honest – I can look at the eyes
of any individuals without fear and doubt because I know what I do is sincere. No personal game plan
and agenda. To add: I can even say goodbye to all these groups and activities one day, if only I want,
without a problem. People might misjudge me for doing this and that – but I only do what I have to do
– and I leave everything to the Wind. The Wind will take me to here and there and everywhere whether
people will misjudge me or not. The higher purpose is higher than the misjudgement and criticism of
people. But ultimately, if I can answer if there is a personal game plan – then, it would be my personal
love, deepest love, for our Motherland The Philippines. This is the ultimate plan.
3. Follow up question to that, where do you see yourself in the next ten years?
I am not really sure, to be honest. Because as you can see – my life for twenty years – was a life I didn’t
foresee. It just came to me. But of course, all those things probably happened to me because it so
happened that I was so passionate with what I do.
But if I have to answer this question: perhaps, I would like to see myself in the next ten years travelling
all over Asia and the world, writing more poems, speaking to the Youth, listening to the stories of our
Elders. I don’t know but I could be a Buddhist monk as well.
But as I have said before – every day is a new day, a new opportunity. I stopped wanting to look what
will happen in the future; I just want to look and enjoy at the present, the now.
But of course, practically, in the next ten years I hope to see myself with my children Jostein Emmanuel
and Ayn Rand Shanti living a wonderful, meaningful, happy life.
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4. If given a chance to choose and concentrate and put all your eggs in one basket, which
organization would you like to head and pour out your everything there?
Let me think… This is hard for me to answer as I don’t want social expectations and norms to define
me and put me inside a box. It is hard too because my energies and passion are so eclectic and dynamic.
I equally love arts, music, poetry, literature, history, philosophy, culture, religions, humanity, and
nature. This enables me to work among different groups that encapsulate my interest whether it be
the Knights of Rizal, Pangasinan Association, Tagalog Association, radios and newspapers, etc.
But I think if I really have to concentrate my energy and focus – it will not be those groups but to my
own personal advocacy activities: my writings, blogs, poetry. But obviously as I do this it will benefit all
the groups that I am part of.
5. As a leader, what qualities don't you like about yourself that you are constantly improving on and
perpetually conscious of?
I wish I will have enough courage to say no. This is my greatest challenge. As much as I want to
accommodate everyone – I cannot do everything, but it makes me sad to say no to many as I know
they really want me to be part of their activities and events. When people ask for help, it is hard for me
to say no.
The side-effect of saying yes to many is that my body will collapse one day. That’s why after a week or
two of exhaustion, I need to recharge.
Secondly, I always look at myself as insignificant, a dust. Not that I hate this attitude – but because of
this I always have to consider other people even though they are bad. Worse, I have to apologise for
things that are not my faults. This makes me look so weak as a leader but at the same time I value
humility. But I think I am where I am now because I put my feet on the ground.
6. Can you answer my recent editorials? Are you pathetic or apathetic? Do you easily forgive and
forget?
I have read your October 2022 editorial in which the concept of “forgive and forget” was in the context
of politics and history.
If I have to examine myself, objectively, I can say that the way I look at things is more wholistic,
comprehensive. Apathy or Sympathy, forgive and forget or being vengeful and critical – have all
functions to play in different situations, historical/political or personal. Everything, though, is a matter
of perspectives. We have to use it well. But the challenge is that we use different lenses – and there is
nothing wrong with that. That is why some Filipinos are Pro-Marcos, Anti-Marcos, Pro-Aquino, AntiDuterte, etc. And that is fine with me. I respect your belief and I hope that you will respect mine as well.
There really is no monopoly to patriotism.
But as you have known in my answers to other questions – I have learned now to live in the present.
Yes, we learn from the Past. We have to. But it is also equally important to live in the present – and
focus on what is needed today. This is the way to the Future. Otherwise, if we will keep dwelling in the
past, nothing good will happen today. If we dwell on bitterness, our daily lives will just be bitter. It is
good to be aware of the past, to learn from history – but life moves on. And we only have one life, a
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short life. In our deathbed, we will not savour what happened before our existence, but we will cherish
the life “we have” and the life we have now. History is history so as life is life.
Politically, we should also reflect the impacts we create. If we are the type of a person who only
complains and criticises the government, whoever the President is, and if we have been doing this for
almost all our lifetime – the question: what have we done significantly and practically to our people
and our community? If the only thing we contribute is to criticise and to be so loud and angry – I think
we need to re-examine ourselves. We should not just be a critique but become part of the solution. This
is the new positive activism.
7. This issue I editorialize about the so-called sycophants and the narcissists in our community?
What are your thoughts on these and feel free to make a general commentary on the kind and
quality of leadership that have come and gone in our midst?
I know that it is irritating and disappointing to see many people who are narcissists and who have
personal and hidden agenda – but the way I see it, philosophically and psychologically, is that everyone
of us has a role to play: either you’re a bida or kontrabida, supportive or nega.
Everyone is an actor. We choose to play our roles.
And that is the hardest part to swallow because we know that people can be so evil. But what can we
do?
I don’t know but this is what I do: I focus on what I do. I work passionately in things that I believe. If
some people are bad – that is their choice! Can I change them? No. But I can change myself? Yes. I can
make myself more productive and positive. I can only control my own behaviour, thinking, feeling, and
decision. Things that I cannot control like how the other people behave – I just need to deepen my
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understanding and focus on what is more essential. People who are toxic are just a waste of our time.
It’s not worth it to put our energies on them. We should create our own positive and creative energies.
But of course, I do critical assessments of our Filipino traits and behaviors in my writings – and the only
reason is to hope that I can help them to re-examine their lives. I have seen many leaders who are
incompetent – yet they think they are good, so good, who are arrogant, disrespectful, and unfair to
people, who think they are superior than the rest, mayayabang!
What can we do? We just need to become a better person than them. It will be hard to change them –
but we can start with ourselves. This is the only Way – the middle way where the centre is our own
heart.
8. Somehow, I see the younger me in you, but I have always been focused on what I love and do
best almost without question in competition inter-related fields of education, arts, culture, research
and scholastic advocacies? In your case, you wear so many hats and quite amazingly shine in
everything that you do. The question is, if you were just to focus on one expertise or field alone for
the rest of your adult life, what would it be?
I would probably like to focus on my advocacy in promoting our love for our Motherland and our
language Filipino encapsulating my passion on poetry, Rizal’s teachings, and public speaking and
inspirational talks.
I can see myself – travelling the Philippines and the world doing my poetry-reading and simultaneously
encouraging our fellow Filipinos to love our language, culture, and our Motherland. Likewise, I would
like to endeavour in philosophical quest in search of Filipino Wisdom.
9. Be frank and straightforward. Tell me about all the "irritants" that somehow affect or get into
your work, you know, cramp your style, or often hamper your creativity and somehow dampen your
spirits and enthusiasm?
People generally see me as an extrovert and a person who is here and there. However, if only you know,
I would rather choose peace and quietness, alone in nature, immersed in books and writings. So, what
“irritates” me most really is the noise and my endless community activities. That’s why I try to pause
and stop for a while after too many activities – as I need to reflect, read, and write. My ultimate joy
are these things. Therefore, social functions, especially those events which are boring and mundane,
hamper my creativity. However, as an existentialist I can still generate positive things from these
painful events. We create meaning. We choose the way we feel.
But for me to recover my spirit and energy, I will need to rest in the dark and talk to the stars, to
embrace the trees and plants and create poetry. I can only give what I have. Thus, I need to reinvigorate
myself with beauty and poetry so that I can give the same beauty and poetry to other people.
10. MY standard ending will of course be your own parting words and message to our readers the
world over...Many thanks and mabuhay ka kaibigan...
I would like to end by believing that there is Hope – to everyone and for everyone. I pray that as people
read this interview that they will get inspiration, in one way or another. This is my hope. That through
my humble passionate life – my friends, the youth, my people, will be inspired to live a meaningful life
dedicated to the same “Duty to Beauty.” This metaphorical concept – which is so dear to my heart –
has guided me the way I live. It has influenced the way I think and behave.
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The motto of the Order of the Knights of Rizal is “Non Omnis Moriar,” which means “Not everything in
me will die.” It is my dearest hope that those who have come to this point of reading this word will
realise that life is more than the material things and money. Of course, being rich is good and can make
us happy. But this is not the ultimate purpose of existence. The question is: what will people remember
us when we die? Did we leave some treasures that will not perish? What good things have we done for
our people and our country? These are the questions that we shall ask ourselves.
I am ending with the words of my favorite philosopher Bertrand Russell:
“Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the
search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.”
These words summarise the very essence of my passionate, energetic, meaningful life: Amor et Vita.
Love and Life. Live to love and love to live.
I wish everyone of you to live a wonderful remarkable life. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang
Pilipino! Pagpalain tayong lahat!
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