December 30, 2008 marked the 112th death anniversary of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, and once again, one of the pivotal events in Philippine history was commemorated by millions of Filipinos.
His death, summed up his life, held the record of what he had become and defined its meaning. In the words of the man known to many as “The Great Malayan”, written in his immortal farewell piece “Mi Ultimo Adios”, “We only die once” and “What an exceptional death it was!”
In his dreams, Rizal had taken the executioner’s bullet many times, moving him to write of his wish to show by example how to die for duty and principles. In death, he showed the world that the Filipino knows how to die gloriously for his country. Although scholars may question the real motives of Rizal, whether his fight was for assimilation or independence, it is an undoubted fact that he inspired the first revolution in Southeast Asia. In the words of the great freedom fighters, such as Andres Bonifacio, Rizal truly embodied the dream of a Filipino nation and his martyrdom served to unite a nation, once taunted a cauldron of races, to fight for its freedom.
In the early hours of December 30, 1896, the Death Valley that was known as Bagumbayan was thronged with people announcing clearly not only the execution to occur, but, that a turning point in history was to take place. When the fateful moment finally arrived, Rizal was more than ready. He declined the blindfold and chose to be shot on his feet, standing with his head held high. He wanted to die facing the firing squad, reasoning that only traitors deserved to be shot in the back and he was no traitor. Rizal was denied that wish, so, when the order to fire came, he swung around with all his might and died facing the bright sun. Instead of falling on his face, he fell on his back, “the sightless eyes staring at the sun.” His last cry was “Consummatum est.” (It is finished.)
Our yearly tradition of honoring Rizal on his death anniversary goes back to a presidential decree issued by former President Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898, one of the first acts of the First Philippine Republic. This beautiful tradition has endured the test of time, and although there have been clamors to switch the celebration to Rizal’s birthday (June 19), to stop it is to misplace our values. Rizal’s birth marked the beginning of his mission, but, his death marked its accomplishment. The national hero’s death as a martyr wielded his fractured nation for the first time in its history, and convinced his people that the Spanish conquerors’ time was finished.
It’s the least we, Filipinos could do to thank an exemplary man, who according to Leon Ma. Guerrero’s reckoning, had chosen to fall so that our nation may rise, truly earning the honor of being “The First Filipino”.
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