Remembering Rizal: A Hero, Our New Hope

"The youth is the hope of our future."

Do you know who Jose Rizal is? Yes, he is the national hero of the Philippines. He was born on June 19, 1861 in the town of Calamba, Laguna. His fearless acts upon the Spaniards and his great love to our country are what he is known until now.  Doubtless, he is indeed a hero. But, what is so good about him that we still remember all the deeds and things he has done to us? That is he truly believes that our youth is the hope of our future.  In the present time, we celebrate his birthday and important events that happened in the past that is connected to him. There are also movies, programs and plays that show his dauntlessness and affection to his homeland. One play that I have seen about him is the “Batang Rizal”. Its focus is on how he can be a great hero even to us teenagers.

Last 18^th of January this year, we went to Assumption Theater in Antipolo to witness a play that is about the childhood of Rizal. I was so giddy at that time because before we went to the said place, I managed to be a comelec on the election of our school. The student’s had lunch and time to prepare ourselves. We used jeepnies on our way to Antipolo. It was quite a good ride because I had fun with my gal classmates. We arrived at the place early and we waited for almost two hours outside. Not mentioning that it's in the afternoon and the sun's at its peak. At last, we entered the theater and I gasped in amazement. Yes, the theater was quite adequate except for one tiny detail, the seats. It was slanted. The unfortunate audience like me was partly annoyed because we can’t see the stage clearly.  The actors gave us reminders of what we have to behave while the show is running. After that, the lights went off and we awed in the sight. It started with Pepito, who was playing around with his classmates. Suddenly, they broke the head of the statue the mayor has given to them. Pepito was all to blame. While thinking of how he can fix it, he found an enchanted book that is about the life of Rizal. That’s the part where the play really started.

Reading the book, Pepito went back to the time of Rizal. It was chaotic for him that he doesn't recognize where he is. He met Rizal’s sisters and thought that he was Pepe. They teased and fooled him but he insist that he wasn't Pepe, but Pepito. He also taught them new words, including the ‘weh’ part. They sang the “Weh Song” which is so humorous. Pepito and Pepe became friends throughout the play and decided to go  to the present time. He was going to help Pepito on his problem about the broken statue. Pepe met Pepito’s classmates and the three bullies who intimidate him a lot. The two boys had a hard time with the three bullies, of course, they always tease Pepito. It was a very amusing and hilarious play. I laughed about a million times. Eventually, the students cooperate with Pepe and Pepito because the mayor threatened them. All of them had united to fix the statue. That’s the pleasurable part. I was delightful to see the youth helping each other for the satisfaction not only for themselves, but for others as well.

The whole play is impressive. The actors and actress were all good and entertaining. But the story is not just for pleasure and amusement. It teaches us lessons and scenes that will reflect to us. We, the Filipinos, should be filled with pride and stand proudly to present our national hero, Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal. It’s not about being a hero to do good things. It’s all about teaching our hearts to be true and pure like Jose Rizal. It’s up to the youth of what the future is waiting for us. If you haven’t chance to see the play, then you missed a part of your life.