More than 111 years ago, Spanish authorities shot a man in the grounds of Luneta Manila. That moment was about to change the course of Philippine history. The man who was shot during that time was Jose Rizal. Every year we continue to remember and commemorate the death anniversary of this great man.
What was Jose Rizal's greatest legacy? Why was he chosen to become our national hero ? For most people they believe that Jose Rizal was rightly chosen to become a national hero because he influenced most of our revolutionary leaders through his writings and example although other people believe that he should only be declared a hero not "The national hero." Most people believed that Rizal's greatest legacy is his love for his country as embodied in his writings and the actions that he took.
When I took the required "Rizal" course during my undergraduate studies, I was so intrigued by his life story that I read the book authored by Zaide in just one day. I have probably done that because I consider Jose Rizal as one of my "Role models." During the time that I was in Manila, I made sure that I could visit the actual grounds where Rizal was shot. Contrary to what most Filipinos believe, Jose Rizal was not executed in the spot where his shrine in Luneta stands right now. The actual grounds where Jose Rizal was shot is several meters away from where his shrine is located. Before you enter the area there is a sign that says that the place is "hollowed ground" and it truly is for me. I also had a chance to visit his house at Calamba Laguna. Perhaps someday I could also visit his place of exile in Dapitan. Knowing so much about Jose Rizal, I just cannot help but ask myself how could this man who only lived for a short period of time be so much of an influence even until now, not only here but abroad as well ?
For me personally, Jose Rizal's greatest legacy was that he lived a full and meaningful life. It did not matter that he lived for only 34 years. He accomplished so much in such a short period of time because he had a vision in his mind and a mission in his heart. The intensity of such mission and vision translated into action that enabled him not to waste time in any trivial matters but rather devote all of his time to the accomplishment of the mission and vision that he believed was given to him.
The question right now that I should be asking myself or you should be asking yourself is when the time comes for us to leave this earth, will our lives matter? Can we truly say that we have lived a full and meaningful life? If we cannot answer this question positively, than we must ask God to grant us a personal vision and a mission for our lives in order that we might not waste our time on things that does not matter at all. In so doing we might be able to live a life just like Jose Rizal did and leave a legacy for others to follow. Leaving a legacy as Rizal did is what I believe as my "higher calling."
What was Jose Rizal's greatest legacy? Why was he chosen to become our national hero ? For most people they believe that Jose Rizal was rightly chosen to become a national hero because he influenced most of our revolutionary leaders through his writings and example although other people believe that he should only be declared a hero not "The national hero." Most people believed that Rizal's greatest legacy is his love for his country as embodied in his writings and the actions that he took.
When I took the required "Rizal" course during my undergraduate studies, I was so intrigued by his life story that I read the book authored by Zaide in just one day. I have probably done that because I consider Jose Rizal as one of my "Role models." During the time that I was in Manila, I made sure that I could visit the actual grounds where Rizal was shot. Contrary to what most Filipinos believe, Jose Rizal was not executed in the spot where his shrine in Luneta stands right now. The actual grounds where Jose Rizal was shot is several meters away from where his shrine is located. Before you enter the area there is a sign that says that the place is "hollowed ground" and it truly is for me. I also had a chance to visit his house at Calamba Laguna. Perhaps someday I could also visit his place of exile in Dapitan. Knowing so much about Jose Rizal, I just cannot help but ask myself how could this man who only lived for a short period of time be so much of an influence even until now, not only here but abroad as well ?
For me personally, Jose Rizal's greatest legacy was that he lived a full and meaningful life. It did not matter that he lived for only 34 years. He accomplished so much in such a short period of time because he had a vision in his mind and a mission in his heart. The intensity of such mission and vision translated into action that enabled him not to waste time in any trivial matters but rather devote all of his time to the accomplishment of the mission and vision that he believed was given to him.
The question right now that I should be asking myself or you should be asking yourself is when the time comes for us to leave this earth, will our lives matter? Can we truly say that we have lived a full and meaningful life? If we cannot answer this question positively, than we must ask God to grant us a personal vision and a mission for our lives in order that we might not waste our time on things that does not matter at all. In so doing we might be able to live a life just like Jose Rizal did and leave a legacy for others to follow. Leaving a legacy as Rizal did is what I believe as my "higher calling."
About the Author:
Zigfred Diaz is Vice president for operations for a group of family owned corporations. He is also a Financial & Real estate broker, lawyer, law professor & writer. He may not regularly blog about Jose Rizal but he blogs on other interesting subjects. Check out his blog today. You are welcome to reprint this article - but get your own unique content version here.
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