Today is Jose Rizal’s 163rd birthday. I wonder what he would do in the West Philippine Sea Conflict with China.
Jose Rizal, known for his advocacy of peaceful reforms would likely take a diplomatic and intellectual approach regarding the West Philippine Sea issue if he were alive today.
He would probably write about the Philippines’ rights either as an Opinion Writer in a popular newspaper or a blogger. ( I don’t see him as a vlogger) If he’s not a columnist/writer he will flood newspapers with commentaries on the issue.
He would organize groups mainly for information/education. Rizal was a teacher and a writer who believed in the power of education to enlighten people. He might advocate for educating the Filipino populace about their rights, the historical context of the West Philippine Sea issue, and the importance of national unity in addressing such challenges.
Overall, he would advocate a peaceful approach in handling the West Philippine Sea Conflict.
Every May 15 is the Feast of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of the farmers. In thanksgiving for rich harvests and productivity of the town folks, a procession is done to honor San Isidro.
From Licas News Philippines
Different activities are also done which vary according to the custom or produce of a province or locality.
One of the most popular celebrations is Pahiyas in Lucban, Quezon. The houses along the prespecified route of the procession after the Holy Mass and the afternoon civic parade are decorated with chandeliers and garlands of KIPING, colored rice wafers, and creative arrangements of farm produce, fruits, vegetables and other products.
From Travel Philippines
From Travel Philippines
Another popular celebration is the one in Pulilan , Bulacan where carabaos kneel in front of San Isidro.
From Philstar
In other towns in Quezon, Agawan is practiced. The main feature of the fiesta procession[4] as the parade winds its way through the streets, people snatch the goodies and other produce hanging on the houses they pass by or on a pabitin, specially made for the parade. At the same time, people in the houses throw food, fruits and money into the parade. Before the parade, nearby residents decorate the outside of their homes. Colorful buntal hats are festooned all over the façade of houses. String beans are draped on windows to make curtains and banana trees are used to adorn fences. The primary, and most traditional, element in the decoration was the bagakay, or young bamboo branches from which junk food, native delicacies such as the kiping, fruits, candies and money were hung for people to snatch as they pass by. The term agawan, which is based on the Tagalog word for “snatch”,also pertains for the passerby’s scramble to get these goods from the bagakay. [Wikipedia]
From Hello Travel
From Hello Travel
The Agawan or Pabitin was the one I grew up with in our town Calauag, Quezon. I remember one house hanging baby clothes , a variation from farm produce, because these are the fruits of their labor, a fitting offering to San Isidro Labrador ( Saint Isidore, The Farmer or Saint Isidore , The Worker)
Bayan Ko was composed in 1928 when Filipinos were campaigning for independence from America under the leadership of President Manuel Quezon. The lyrics are based on a poem by Jose Corazon de Jesus. Enmeshed in the song are the yearnings of a people colonized for over 400 years, first as a colony of Spain and then as a colony of the United States. De Guzman talked of the beauty of the the Philippines which attracted foreigners who conquered and plunged the country into despair. He likened the Motherland to a bird which is caged and is wanting to be set free. His steadfast wish was to set it free.
The Spanish lyrics of Bayan Ko were originally written for the Severino Reyes zarzuela, Walang Sugat (“No Wound”). Attributed to the propagandista, General José Alejandrino, the song expressed opposition to the ongoing American Occupation.The current and more popular Tagalog version is attributed to José Corazón de Jesús, and the music to Constancio de Guzmán.
Bayan Ko (My Country)
Ang bayan kong Pilipinas (My country the Philippines) Lupain ng ginto’t bulaklak (Land of gold and flowers) Pag-ibig na sa kanyang palad (With love in her palm) Nag-alay ng ganda’t dilag (Offered beauty and charm) At sa kanyang yumi at ganda (And with her modest charm and beauty) Dayuhan ay nahalina (Foreigners were attracted) Bayan ko, binihag ka (My country, they conquered you) Nasadlak sa dusa ( And you were plunged into despair)
Chorus:
Ibon mang may layang lumipad (Even a bird that is free to fly) Kulungin mo at umiiyak (Cries when put in a cage) bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag (What more a beautiful country) Ang di magnasang makaalpas (Won’t desire to break free) Pilipinas kong minumutya (Philippines my beloved) Pugad ng luha ko’t dalita (Nest of my tears and suffering) Aking adhika, makita kang sakdal laya (My desire is to see you perfectly free)
The song is a song of love for the country, of anguish because of the colonizers, of a fervent hope to set the Mother land free. However, there’s no inciting to anger. Or probably, the anguish expressed was meant to enrage , to awaken the fervor of the Filipinos. There’s no call for uprising. Or maybe, the writer by writing about the beauty of the country and love for it, meant to awaken the patriotism of the people subtly.
The melody is haunting, melancholic. There’s no build up in sound or tempo to indicate restlessness or anger.
During the ’70s , at the height of student activism, some few lines were added in the version of Lolita Carbon, a member of “Asin” (Salt) which used to write about the country and the environment.
Kay sarap mabuhay ( It’s wonderful to live) Sa sariling bayan ( in one’s country) Kung walang alipin (where there are no slaves) At may kalayaan (and there is freedom) Ang bayang sinisiil (an oppressed country) Bukas ay babangon din (tomorrow/in the future will rise eventually ) Ang silanga’y pupula (the East will become red) Sa timyas ng paglaya! (for sweet/genuine independence)
The additional lyrics with reference to (up) rising and red (color of blood) carried more aggression.
In the ’80s Bayan Ko returned to the old version and became the protest song of the peaceful People Power Revolution.
The song has been with us in our struggles to keep our independence. Today as we commemorate the 125th Independence Day of the Philippines, the song is still being sung to remind us to remain mindful and protective of the independence that we now have.
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