LIHU‘E — Filipinos on Kaua‘i paused in their holiday revelry to reflect on the contributions of Dr. Jose Rizal, a Philippines national hero, during a brief Rizal Day service, Sunday. “Today, it’s not ‘Liza,’ it’s ‘Estalita,’” said Liza Trinidad, president
LIHU‘E — Filipinos on Kaua‘i paused in their holiday revelry to reflect on the contributions of Dr. Jose Rizal, a Philippines national hero, during a brief Rizal Day service, Sunday.
“Today, it’s not ‘Liza,’ it’s ‘Estalita,’” said Liza Trinidad, president of the Kaua‘i Community Filipino Council, during her remarks at the annual tribute service. “We celebrate the 113th anniversary of the taking of his life by the colonizers. He wanted independence, not by violence, but by his writings.”
Trinidad said the statue of Rizal located on the lawn of the Historic County Building is in need of repair, the victim of weathering. The KCFC will be soliciting help from the community to restore and maintain the statue.
Rizal was a brilliant man, said Dr. Arnulfo Dias of the Kaua‘i Pangasinan Association, outlining the many literary, artistic and political achievements of the hero who was born in 1861 and executed by musketry on Dec. 30, 1896.
Of his numerous writings, many utilizing the interchange of different languages throughout, several angered the Spaniards and inspired dissent.
“We had to study him for a whole semester and I still don’t know all about him,” said Luz Dias, vice president for membership of Laoag Saranay, the organization coordinating the annual service.
Dr. Arnulfo Dias agreed, noting that one of the requirements for graduation out of a Filipino university was the study of Rizal.
“If Rizal were alive today, he would be proud of the accomplishments of Filipinos, not only on Kaua‘i, but throughout the state,” said Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. in his remarks. “You share your leader’s strength and courage as you look for good things in the community.”
Carvalho said the Filipinos bring to the community strong leadership, a strong work ethic, family traditions, along with food, song and dance.
He noted that education was the way out for Filipinos and the need to instill the thirst for knowledge among the young people in the community.
Among those making the presentations, Jason Iloreta, who earlier in the day had accompanied a group of fire fighters who helped his brother Josh ascend the Sleeping Giant, read the English translation of one of Rizal’s works, “Ultimo Adios,” a final farewell poem while Rizal was awaiting execution.
“Men can be killed,” Dias said. “But ideas cannot.”
• Dennis Fujimoto can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
