Tabuk City, Kalinga – Kalinga Governor Tubban delivered a strong message on government and leadership during the commemoration of the 124th death anniversary of Jose Rizal at the City Hall Compound, Tabuk City this December 30, 2020 underscoring the significance of Rizal’s death and life as a symbol of prime example of martyrdom and love for one’s country.
In his message, he quoted Rizal's criticism against the situation of government during his time in which he read "I can concede that the government has no knowledge of the people, but I believe the people know less of the government. There are useless officials, evil, if you like, but there are also good ones, and these are not able to accomplish anything because they encounter an inert mass, the population that takes little part in matters that concern them."
Tubban went on urging fellow public servants to commit to the highest standards of public service, reminding them that great things happen because of great sacrifices.
Tubban highligted that the big lesson in Rizal’s life is the fact that his sacrifices did not die with him but brought changes that we in this present generation so now enjoy, saying the present generation have to understand that legacy and that in like manner they too shall leave a legacy.
“What we do now at present becomes a legacy for the future… a legacy whether good or bad. In the history of the country as in the history of our province and this City, we shall be remembered as whether heroes, villains or leaders in between. We shall either be remembered for the good things we have done or for the bad things we have stubbornly made,” said Tubban.
The commemoration ceremony was participated in by the Offices of the Congressman, the Office of the Provincial Governor, Mayors, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine national Police, Department of Interior and Local Government, the Masons, the Knights of Columbus, and other civic organizations.
After his speech, Tubban in an interview, mentioned about the need for older generation to remind their children of taking after the heroism and wisdom of the national hero, adding that it is the older generation’s responsibility to teach the young.
“Malagip koi di ubbing kami ket adda pay parade nu kastoy nga Rizal day, adda dagiti competitions embodying his teachings and good examples. Tatta medyo mapukpukaw dagidiay nga kaugalian. Mayat nu maiyistorya wennu maiyaramid manen ta isu dayta ti mangpalagip ken mangiturong kadagiti uubing iti nasayaat nga dalan,” said Tubban.
Here is the full excerpt of the message provided by the Kalinga PLGU information unit headed by Information Officer Dionica Legasi.
Rizal Day Governor’s Message
PERMIT me to thank the people who organized this event. The esteemed public servants, the members of Civic organizations who are here, fellow workers in government, the citizenry and all of Kalinga.
The anniversary of the death of Jose Rizal is indeed significant as it epitomizes the paragon of martyrdom and love for one’s country. For this we commemorate his death on December 30 of every year.
We commemorate this day to remind us of Rizal’s contribution to our being a Filipino and to the freedom of our country that we now so enjoy. It is a common knowledge that his life has been utilized as a constant reminder to all of us to fulfill our duties for a better tomorrow for the generations to come.
There are many things about Rizal that we can learn by reflection on his life even just on the tragedy and the glory of his death. We learned in school the life of this man from his younger days as an excellent student, his adventures in studying abroad, his writings “the famous Noli Me Tangere and El Felibusterismo”, his sacrifice and his Mi ultimo adios, inventions, creative arts, and engineering while exiled in Dapitan, his medical feats, and his being a polyglot or a multilingual able to speak more than 20 languages… with all these we can be proud we have an internationally known hero called Jose Rizal.
Of the many heroes who died for our country, what makes Jose Rizal special is that he fought the tyrants, the conquistadores, the oppressors of Las Islas de Felipinas with his pen. Unlike Bonifacio, Juan Luna, Aguinaldo and the rest who took the battle in the field of guns and canons, Rizal took a pen, a paper and an ink. And thus, the popularization of the famous line “the pen is mightier than the sword.’ He also made much emphasis on the importance of the younger generation. And so we all memorized “the youth is the future of the motherland” or as we say in our language “ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan.”
It the heroism of Rizal in the face of death that inspires us in the face of enemies, and it is his words full of wisdom which encourages us and guide us to the ultimate goals of public service and unwasted sacrifice.
Rizal once said… "I want to show to those who deprive people the right to love of country, that when we know how to sacrifice ourselves for our duties and convictions, death does not matter if one dies for those one loves—for his country and for others dear to him."
For us who are still alive, in the face of this great pandemic war, we can remind ourselves what Rizal did and what he offered. In this times of difficulties and uncertainties, we ought to serve the public putting their interest first and our personal wants last. Because it is in this kind of period in our history, that good brave men are scarce and are very much needed. It is also in this time that we have to sacrifice to ensure the future of the our youth, the younger generation by leading a life of example. For if we, the adult generation, show a bad example, we cannot exact or force our youth to be better, neither hope for obedience or respect. You cannot have a good fruit from a bad tree.
To the frontliners, health workers, barangay volunteers, and those who are always in the first row of fire against the Covid-19 virus, I commend you for not turning your back on your duties and responsibilities. I commend you even more for putting the safety of the public before yourself. Though I cannot name you, your contribution shall be part of a better tomorrow for the generations to come.
The big lesson in Rizal’s life is the fact that his sacrifices did not die with him but brought changes that we in this present generation are experiencing.
What we do now at present becomes a legacy for the future… a legacy whether good or bad. In the history of the country as in the history of our province and this City, we shall be remembered as whether heroes, villains or leaders in between. We shall either be remembered for the good things we have done or for the bad things we have stubbornly made.
Let us then encourage ourselves together to commit to the highest standards of public service. As they say, great things happen because of great sacrifices.
In closing… Let me leave you with what Rizal said about the government, the leaders and the people, and I quote.
"I can concede that the government has no knowledge of the people, but I believe the people know less of the government. There are useless officials, evil, if you like, but there are also good ones, and these are not able to accomplish anything because they encounter an inert mass, the population that takes little part in matters that concern them."
May statement leave us something to ponder upon and consider what and how we can better serve for the welfare of our community and the country as a whole.
I hope that this commemoration of Rizal’s 124th death and the significance of his life inspire us all to be fully determined in dedicating ourselves anew to love and to dignify our country as well as to serve without reservation for a better today and for a brighter tomorrow .
A dignified 124th Rizal day to one all.
.png)
..whats in a name? When we die,people will remember us,by our works.Just like Rizal,he is and will be remembered,his works thru his name.