Saturday, May 17, 2008

JOSE RIZAL OUR HERITAGE

I heard during one seminar that Jose Rizal was not anymore considered the national hero anymore, said the speaker, because of his bourgeois quality and that It is already Andres Bonifacio who is treated as the great National hero.
I think this act is outright presumptuous. It nullifies the sacrifice done by Rizal. It only shows the whimsical attitude of people to just disregard what great values are embodied by this hero of all time.

He was an epitome of intellectual refinement and quiet courage shown during the seemingly insurmountable difficulties during the trying times under Spanish rule. I have nothing against those who had chosen to participate in the arena of war-mongering, but we should take into consideration the especially noteworthy preference of Rizal in choosing the road less-travelled, in that he waged war through the use of a pen. It should be thought provoking that his use of a seemingly harmless pen procures the ire of the mighty.Through his writings, he helped keep alive the ideals of ultimately having an independent nation free from unwanted intruders. It is through his fearless writings that kept the fires of nationalism burning. And wasn't he killed because the thoughts embodied in those writings struck at the very heart of those loathsome conquestadores? He held his peace in a most dignified matter, raising not a hand to strike at the enemy. It only showed the power he weld with the use of the mighty pen as a sword.

Believe it or not Rizal had greatly confounded the enemy without shedding blood. It was not enough to quell him because even in death his words remained to tell the truth.

It was then that the revolutionaries found courage and a common prupose to thwart the oppressive invaders. Upon his death, his writings and his heroism became a candle that lighted the way of the people in those dark and dreary days of the early revolution. Not even fear and hunger could make them stop to sacrifice their lives.

His death served as a catalyst. The revolution suddenly took on an uproarious vehemence which resulted eventually with the obtaining of the most coveted reward which is freedom from the oppressor which we now enjoy. Wouldn't you try to stop and think about it? Even at these times we loathe too much riot and chaos. We want a more intellectual approach in solving the delimma that haunt our country's governance. Rizal had shown us how to fight quietly. He had shown us the other alternative. It is not right therefore to oust Jose Rizal from the honor and let us put him back on the pedestal among great heroes. Let us be proud of him our heritage.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

TIME TO PERSEVERE

What is presently taking place in Philippines is making the people's lives more difficult each day. This crisis which currently engulfs us portends a gloomy future ahead. It is the greater masses of the poor population are the ones who are greatly affected. Practically everything in the market became too expensive for the ordinary people. Wages remain dormant at an all time low. This troubled everyone who has brain to weigh the consequences. It seems everyone now wants a way out. Out to where? Overseas.

I believe that this trial will soon be over like the others. Trials and testings come in batches, so I heard. Their torment severly tests what little faith we have. We need great faith in times like these. We have no other recourse except to put it in the hands of God. Have anyone ever heard that it was said "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." This little verse in James is inspiring to the point that it shows us trials are opportunities to prove our love and enhance our faith. With this perspective, life becomes inspiring-not in spite of the trials but because of them. Perseverance. We need lots of it.

Religion has much to offer to calm the minds of troubled human beings who are on the verge of cracking up. Others find it amusing especially those who don't believe. Such blind faith as this but it's no joke. If you would ask me, I'm not ashamed to say that I truly believe in the power of God to turn disaster into blessing and even in raising someone from the dead. The following verse puts my faith to rest in the mighty hands of the Almighty. It says "Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not." It can be found in Jeremiah 33:3. Great and powerful words of God. Sure I call God in times of distress. He never failed to show His mighty power. It never ceases to inspire me.

The soldier who is called to the front lines is stimulated at the chance to prove his skills. The officer who is given a position of higher responsibility is roused by the rugged demands of his task. You and I are soldiers in the same way. We need to remain faithful and not slack off from praying so that our faith develops perseverance. Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, we must start to think of others' needs. It refines character.

It takes God's power to be faithful. God has incomparably great power in store for those who believe, the same power He used in raising Jesus Christ from the dead. In other words, the sky is the limit when it comes to the display of God's mighty strength in our lives.

So, people, take courage. We may be in the hardest times of our lives but it's not the end yet. All is not lost when we have God. Scam after scam may shake the very foundations of our government system. There's a God in heaven who gives reward to those who persevere. And He sure exacts punishment to those who deserve it. Do not make the situation any more worst than it should be.This will last only for a moment. He will make good the damage that's been done and all our losses shall be repaired.