A reader of this blog suggested that I write more about Jose Rizal and I think it is fitting to pay tribute to our national hero on his birthday.

As a child, my imagination was was fueled by the stories and anecdotes about Jose Rizal. I borrowed practically all of the books about Rizal in our Elementary library and I still couldn’t get enough of them. I read and reread them with enthusiasm since they made me feel like I could achieve anything even at a young age.

Reading about Rizal’s life made me aspire for greater things, more noble pursuits beyond the mindset of a typical student today. Instead of just studying to pass, he studied to pass on his knowledge to others. Not only did he risk his freedom by returning to the his homeland, he calmly gave up his life just as "tints on the sky b’gin to show." [Excerpt from the last peom of Dr. Jose Rizal, Mi Ultimo Adios*]

All of these he did in the name of his love for the Philippines, the land of his birth.

What am I willing to do in the name of my love for this Southeast Asian archipelago? Do I take pride in being a Filipino or am I just like the Indios of long ago who looked down their fellow countrymen and acted as mestizos/mestizas?

* The original poem was in Spanish but English, Tagalog, Japanese and two German versions are available here.

On June 19, the country will celebrate a historical event that changed the course of Philippine history — the birth of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

On this day, I also celebrate a significant event in my life — my birthday. Those who know me are familiar with my affinity for Rizal and his works, as well as the reason why my parents decided to name me Jocelyn, in honor of having the same birthday as this famous Filipino.

I have always taken pride in this fact and I was very enthusiastic about studying Rizal’s life in PI 100 in UP and even managed to get top marks in this class. Learning about Rizal’s life is truly inspiring — at the age of 24, he finished his course in Philosophy and Letters with a grade of "excellent." As I turn 24 this month, I can’t help but compare my achievements with what he had done at around this age. I suppose I got his same wanderlust since I’m always itching to go on my next excursion just as he was traveled extensively to Europe, America and Asia in his day. I also have the same passion for languages although my knowledge of Spanish, French and Latin pales in comparison with his mastery of 22 different languages and other native dialects.

Jose Rizal at age 25.