127 years ago, what was Rizal thinking?

By Juan Mariano Magdaraog

Knight of Rizal, New York Chapter

One hundred twenty-seven years ago, the man whose life and legacy we celebrate and emulate paid the ultimate price for his convictions. 127 years.

Can you imagine how far we’ve come? Close your eyes for a few seconds, briefly paint the picture in your mind of life for our people back then. Feel the salt in the eyes of the indios, unable to set their gaze to higher aspirations with their backs bent low by heavy burdens, the labors and laments of life under exclusion and exploitation.

Imagine, if you will, Dr. Jose Rizal in his last days and moments, contemplating the dreams, of his own dreaming and of others, dreams that he would die for. Imagine him doing what we just did a minute ago, imagining a distant day but in the opposite direction. Imagine that, in Rizal’s mind’s eye he happened to see us, see you.

And here and now you stand, eyes open, Filipinos. Capable, confident, courageous in each one’s manner. Rizal sees us. Sees you. Would he feel pride? Hope? Relief that he will not have lived in vain? Perhaps in this glimpse of the future, would he see a reflection of his past? The few, the favored, the fortunate modern-day ilustrados to be sure. 

But if Rizal sees the ilustrados in you, then that would beg the question: What about the folks back home? Have they been uplifted? Are they able to take time and lift their gaze from the mud to the stars? Or are they still weighed down by the whims of uncaring lords?

Rizal stood for the rights of our people. He believed in our potential, believed that we could stand among the giants of the world and look them in the eye with confidence. Rizal strived to live a life that stood as proof of this belief, and each and all present here reinforce this idea. 

But for all his accolades and accomplishments Rizal did not see his hopes realized in his lifetime. It takes more than one person, even the most exceptional, to awaken and inspire a nation. It takes the combined and sustained belief of many to bring a dream so grand into the fullness of reality, and with any and every effort we make, great or small, we can do our part to kindle the spark of greatness Rizal believed lies at the core of the Filipino.

Now is not a time for closed eyes. We must remember to see with the same keen vision of Rizal. Reflective of the past, perceptive of the present, and determined to build a better future.

Juan Mariano ‘Jiano’ Magdaraog is a newly admitted member of the Knights of Rizal New York Chapter. A lifelong lover of stories, he developed an appreciation for history as a child, and a passion for performance arts as a young man. Jiano has taken the stage in musicals, straight plays, and improvised theatre shows on several occasions in three different countries. He spent nine years as an analyst for leading financial institution S&P Global.