The Other Side on the Life of Dr. Jose Rizal

As we honor every December 30th the memory of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, the "Pride of the Malayan Race" on the occassion of his death anniversary; let us pause for a moment and seriously think for a while, as to the veracity of all that is attributed to this great man of many talents. -dinggol.d~~~ (Ilonggo National Global Federation)

Rizal: Undeserved Adjectives?

A radical historian who constantly challenges the status quo of historicity urged yesterday future writers on the life, works and heroism of Dr. Jose Rizal to refrain from further embarrassing him with undeserved adjectives that do not faithfully reflect his true being.

Rizal had never seen a corporate boardroom in his lifetime and therefore not a businessman as portrayed by Dr. Ernesto Sibal in his book, Rizal the Businesssman. He merely hawked farm products in the sidewalks of Dapitan, according to author, professor, newspaper columnist, magazine editor and historian Dr. Frank Grego.

The national hero is not a linguist as portrayed by historians Sofronio Alip and Gregorio Zaide. He had no formal studies in linguistics and dialectics who learned Japanese because of his pursuit for the love of O Sei San in Japan; French to communicate with Nely Buosted and Gertrude Becket whom he wooed in Paris; German for his unrelenting interest to his A las Flores de Heidelberg; and Spanish because of his education in Ateneo and Universitae de Sto. Tomae.

Dr. Grego stressed that Rizal indeed carved a head of a carabao during one of his depressive days but he was not a sculptor as historified by Teodoro Agoncillo. His carving was far beyond compare with those of the Igorots’s and the wood carvers in Paete.

The national hero was not an ophthalmologist as pictured by other historians when he checked the blurring eyes of his mother. He did not undergo any ophthalmic fellowship, for he obtained a mere licentiate and not a doctorate in medicine, Grego emphasized.

“Why do they have to embarrass Rizal with these inaccurate labels in their desperate efforts to justify his proclamation by the Philippine Commission as an American-made National Hero in 1902?” Dr. Grego asked.

(Source: "Ang Pungsod Ilonggo” - INM/INGF Blogspot 12-30-2007)

Addendum:

"Our educators today teach us that the meaning of Rizal’s death was that he sacrificed his life for our country’s freedom. That claim is incomplete if not downright inaccurate and preposterous. At the onset, Rizal NEVER wanted to die. That is why he wrote his “Defensa” with the help of his lawyer, Luis Taviel de Andrade. Nick Joaquín had this to say:

"Rizal’s trial, says (León Mª) Guerrero, presents us with a dilemma. Rizal passionately defended himself from the charge that he was involved in or even sympathized with the Revolution — hardly an attitude we would honor him for. “Was he innocent or guilty?” asks Guerrero. “If innocent, then why is he a hero? If guilty, how can he be a martyr?” 

(Source: Pepe at FILIPINO eSCRIBBLES Blog-12-30-2013)

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On December 19th, 2015 - the cozy "Carla's Cafe" at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, CA was venue of the Ilonggo Association of Southern California (IASC), Inc. annual Christmas Celebration.

Facilitated by President-Elect (2016-18) Maribelle Montilla, assisted by Boy and Ester Villarete-Salvilla and with full support of out-going IASC, Inc. President Freddie Abadiano, the X'mas party was a great success. Yes! with the sumptuous dinner-buffet, open (cash) bar, fine music of the yesteryears and of course dance, dance, dance till midnight.

The ever-smiling Fred and his partner-for-life Ma'am Hilda Akol-Yapjoco and my prima Yasmine Araneta with her jolly hubby Toto Castellano and Perla Torrecampo San Agustin led the group dancing participated by the young and young once.

At last, I personally met mutual FB friend namon ni DayGladys Longno, the pretty Evita Peron dlp who did not sing "Don't Cry for me Argentina" but danced the whole night through.

Third Alejandria who arrived solo joined us with a contented smile after he dropped off wifey Zeny in LAX for Pinas. Daw sa Ba-o nga ginhaboy sa tubig kuno! siling ni Jimboy Garcia who came with his fave spirit JW black.

Together   with us in the round table were immediate Past President Joevan and Nenita Panizales (his one & only first lady); Cezar Sam Canto with the love of his life who acted as our photo shooter; Rey Gayomali; Roeben Millan; Anwa Chua and Mando Buenaflor Abalos kag Prexy Freddie nga galumpat-lumpat lamesa.

Kudos! to former IASC first lady Evelyn Aldeguer (who came with past IASC  President Bhoy A.), Rosemarie Balsomo-Chua, Carmina Garcia, Leah Taleon-Edurese and Ms Bongie Sarmiento who led the reception and welcome committee at the entrance that registered about 70 in attendance.

Another former first lady Dr. Erlyn Rodriguez-Zaragoza came with family sans hubby past Prexy "Butch" but with special guest from Capiz, Corrie del Rosario-Miraflores, my new found kin, who I jokingly told not to call me "Tito" kundi Manong ukon Primo lamang! Harakhak!!! .

The low-profile first lady Jocelyn Abadiano of incumbent Prexy Freddie came with unica hija-heredera Marijo A. Bedro and bugtong nga apo Andre.

Migo Rene Toto Aaron, as usual came with the apple-of-his-eye, ang iya Apo the bedimpled "Baby Jaden".

Mimi Lavado was seen chit-chatting and enjoying the company of friends Helen Bernardo and Aimee Romare.

The group of Victoria Jiz Abantao came a little late but not too late

Surprisingly, many inactive members dala na si Raymund Avanceña, tumandok sang Villa, braved the inclement weather and came over with the assurance to be more visible in the forthcoming activities of our Ilonggo Association in sunny Californy! ...

"Malipayon nga Paskua kag Mahamungayaon nga Bag-ong Tuig sa tanan!  Padayon ang hublag Ilonggo!!! -dinggol.d~~~

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS! to Maribelle Adelantar Montilla-Saadnia (President-Elect of IASC, Inc. for 2016-2018).

In the home of our generous host and gracious hostess Boy and Ester Villarete-Salvilla last October 24th in LA, the formal Presidential Election of the Ilonggo Association of Southern California (IASC) Inc. for the next term was a close encounter between 1st VP Maribelle Montilla-Saadnia and 2nd VP Garry Oropel. Just like the worthy incumbent President Freddie Abadiano; both are highly qualified, having the moral integrity, physical capability and financial capacity but most of all, their sincere desire and firm commitment to lead the famed ilonggo group this side of the US west coast in the service to our less fortunate "Kasimanwas" back home.

The winner Maribelle will appoint the new set of IASC, Inc. Officers, while Garry automatically becomes the 1st Vice-President. Members of the Board shall compose of the Ex-Officio Presidentes.

Ang langas-langas sa long table sang mga "Boys" after election, while enjoying the "spirits" with sumsuman-con-todo was that the triumph of President-elect Maribelle was due to the following factors;

 

1. "Women's Power" -as usual, out-numbered ang mga boys.

2. "Seniority" -opsss! I don't mean in age, but in their present position in the association.

 

The affair coincided with the birthdate of the loyal Officer Rey Gayomali who received a "mini-cake" with very big lighted candle to blow from Prexy Freddie.

 

Conspicuously present, were Monette Torilla-Whitman, the active President of our affiliate -the Tigbauan Association of California (TAC) and my FB friend Mariz Miciano who was very eager to join the group. And of course, the officers and pillars of the Association; the Aaron’s & the Aldeguer’s; the Alejandria’s & the Arceo's; the Canto's & the Chuas; the Gayomali’s & the Gotico's; the Mella's & the Oropel's; the Sarmiento's & the Servando's; the Panizales', Zaragoza's & others..

 

Likewise, present were the young ones and the young once that included Jaden the "Apo" upod kay Lolo Rene "Toto" Aaron; the younger generation of the Montilla's in the Republic of California, the graceful dancer Caloy Trespeces with the ever-smiling Freddie & Ma'am Hilda Akol-Yapjoco together with Hermie a,ka. "Mimi" Lavado, etc., etc. kag etc pa!..

 

Surprisingly, my long lost close friends of the yesteryears attended, namely; Angel and Rose Pison-Piamonte; Tommy Alejandria upod kay Willie and Remy Morales. Also present were Alden Parreño, Mando Abalos, Nonoy Ecevedo, Anwa Chua, Wills Alejandria, Luing Servando, Cesar "Zambo" Canto, Binggot Herrera, Laurie Tagamolila, C Valencia kag iban pa! -Past President Butch Zaragoza nagpuli una kay may asikasuhon pa kuno!

Salamat! to our designated Driver Roben Millan a.k.a "Robin" who drove "Batman" meaning Freddie kag si akoh, the Joker back home to San Diego about 2-hours drive away in the wee hours na, morning na Sir!. . . hik! . . .Harakhak!!! -dinggol.d~~~

 

(In Photo Left to Right):

Front seated: Alden Parreno, Lady President-Elect Maribelle Montilla, Cesar “Sambo” Canto, Nonoy Ecevedo and Dinggol.D

 

Rear standing: Remy Morales, Rene “Toto Aaron” holding Ilonggo Baby Jaden, Luising “Ing” Servando, Prexy Freddie Abadiano, Mando Buenaflor Abalos, Rey Gayomali, Anwa Chua and past IASC, Inc. President Boy Aldeguer.

 

Addendum:

Ilonggo Nation Grupo (San Diego) headed by Leonor Delarmente Baldonado; (Panorama) by Patrick Contreras Erpe and (Escondido) by Franz Lopez Jereza, all in Southern California were invited but were not able to attend due to previous appointments. Basi sa madason ah! ~~~

 

(Nota bene: With apologies to those not mentioned due to lack of material information.)