LIHU‘E — Marites Cruzada, vice principal for St. Anthony’s School on O‘ahu, said Dr. Jose Rizal fought with words, and his words found their target, directly and indirectly. Cruzada, the eldest daughter of Virgie Cruzada of Kaua‘i, was the keynote
LIHU‘E — Marites Cruzada, vice principal for St. Anthony’s School on O‘ahu, said Dr. Jose Rizal fought with words, and his words found their target, directly and indirectly.
Cruzada, the eldest daughter of Virgie Cruzada of Kaua‘i, was the keynote speaker for the Rizal Day gathering Sunday at the statue of Dr. Jose Rizal y Mercado on the corner of Umi and Rice Streets. She outlined the extensive 35-year life of the martyr who was executed by a firing squad in the Philippines on Dec. 30, 106 years ago.
“Dr. Rizal made a remarkable impact on his country,” said Ernie Pasion, the Kaua‘i county auditor and emcee of the gathering, in explaining why Filipino people, both in the Philippines and internationally, celebrate the anniversary of the death of Rizal.
“I consider him the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. of his time,” Pasion said. “He championed and demanded equal rights for every citizen of the Philippines, and hence, they refer to him as the country’s hero.”
Attorney Michael Dahilig, representing Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., congratulated the Kaua‘i Community Filipino Council and the leaders and representatives of the numerous community Filipino groups on observing the event.
“Mayor Carvalho sends his thanks for celebrating those famous people who define who you are as a people,” said Dahilig, the county planning director. “It took me a trip to the Philippines to find out more about who this person who used the power of the pen to make people secure their own freedoms and continue to fight if those freedoms are threatened.”
Pasion and Evelyn Basnillo, first vice president of the Kaua‘i Visayan Club, said Rizal Day is a significant day for Filipinos and having the celebration at the statue is a way of making other people aware of Rizal’s contribution to the Filipino people.
During the 300-year reign of the Spaniards in the Philippines, from 1565 to 1898, Rizal’s pursuit of higher education brought him to Europe where he realized a double standard practiced by the Spaniards existed — a democracy in Spain and tyranny in the Philippines — a situation he sought to change.
Stirring the ire of the Spaniards, Rizal was linked with the 1896 Philippine Revolution, and while in prison awaiting his execution, penned “Mi Ultimo Adios,” a romantic rendering of his execution. Excerpts of the book were read by a group of Filipino leaders, including Charlmaine Bulosan, Domie Bucasas, Annabelle Clark, Doods Sario, Sandra Estenzo and Aida Pascual.
Rizal’s life, along with other Philippine heroes, will be featured in a special display Saturday at the Kaua‘i Museum as part of the Filipino Fiesta, coinciding with ‘Ohana Day at the museum.
Deanna Rapozo, who was paying her tribute at the statue of Dr. Jose Rizal Sunday along with other representatives of Filipino community groups, will be on hand at the Kaua‘i Museum when doors to the Filipino Fiesta open at 10 a.m.
Dancers from the Kasibulan Filipino Folk Dance Company, led by Allan Villaflor, will be garbed in the clothing of the different ethnic groups, said La‘amea Almeida, the museum’s education and docent coordinator.
Filipino food demonstrations and food will be available through the efforts of the Filipino Club at St. Raphael Church in Koloa.
Call 245-6931 for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
