Rizal’s 153rd Birth Anniversary Celebrated

Rizal’s 153rd Birth Anniversary Celebrated

On June 26, 2014, the Philippine Folklife Museum Foundation, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Filipino history and culture, in cooperation with the Office of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and the Philippine Center Management Board, commemorated the 153rd birth anniversary of Dr. José Rizal, the Philippine national hero, at the Social Hall of the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco, California.

Danny de la Cruz, President of the Philippine Folklife Museum Foundation, gave the opening remarks and a brief history and purpose of the museum. The inspirational talk for the evening was given by Consul Reginald Bernabe who gave a simple, heartwarming and rousing message inspired by the quote he shared from Rizal: “To foretell the destiny of a nation, it is necessary to open the book that tells of her past.” He went on to say that he was very pleased to witness how members of the Filipino American community continue to give thought, time and selfless effort to organize a tribute to Dr. Rizal, while at the same time continuing to enhance and celebrate their linkages to their cultural and historical heritage. The evening was also graced by the presence of Consul Reichel Quiñones.

The welcome remarks were given by Lydia de la Cruz, Chairperson, Museum Operations and Development. She said that on this occasion she wanted to present a more personal side of Dr. José Rizal: Rizal as a man in love, challenged and patient, as captured in his love affair with Leonor Rivera. She also gave a short biography of Leonor Rivera. She explained that the main program was taken from an article titled “A Kiss from the Philippines,” published on July 15, 1890, in La Solidaridad under the pen name Taga-Ilog. La Solidaridad was a newspaper named after the organization that created it, made up of Filipino liberals and students attending Europe’s universities. The material was provided by Dr. Penelope V. Flores.

The reading was aptly called “A Kiss from Loleng,” a romantic reminiscence of the evening Rizal bid farewell to Leonor Rivera (Loleng), who was very close to his heart.

It started with Rizal meeting his friend Silverio at the Atocha Mediodía train station in Madrid; Silverio brought him news from the Philippines and, of course, from Loleng. At Rizal’s residence, the reading concentrated on Rizal’s memories of Loleng filled with love and affection. His thoughts were on the last evening he spent with her in the Philippines. Rizal tried to persuade her to give him a kiss and promised everything he could possibly think of for it, but to his dismay he never got the kiss.

On this trip, his friend Silverio brought him a rose from Loleng. This rose was very special because Loleng kissed the rose for Rizal. Rizal felt elated and wonderfully happy, and of course wanted to kiss the rose in return for the kiss Loleng finally gave him, through this rose. But not for long: Silverio had to admit that he, too, had kissed the rose. He could not resist kissing it, knowing that her lips had touched it, and now, after 40 days of travel, Rizal finally had the rose. It was a big disappointment for Rizal, but nevertheless, Rizal was thankful the rose was given to him with a kiss from Loleng. He finally realized and accepted the disadvantage of distance from a loved one.

Dody Garcia played Rizal, reading with emotion, enthusiasm, and exuberance, and captivated the audience. His friend Silverio was played by Leon Palad, and Lydia de la Cruz played Loleng. The entire cast gave life to the article, keeping the audience in quiet anticipation, at times laughing, until the end.

Michael Gonzalez, Ed.D. capped the evening with his classical guitar solo renditions of “Kundiman ng Lahi,” also known as “Joselinang Baliwag,” and “Tango ni Rizal.” Both songs were popular during Rizal’s time. Michael Gonzalez, Ed.D., is a faculty member of City College of San Francisco.

The evening ended with a sumptuous snack prepared by Lydia de la Cruz, courtesy of the Foundation and the Philippine Consulate. The guests mingled and lingered to enjoy the rest of the evening.

The Philippine Consulate’s Social Hall features the Philippine Folklife Museum Foundation’s permanent exhibit. You will find a series of 15 bas-relief wooden sculptures highlighting events throughout Philippine history carved by the well-known Philippine sculptor Luisito Ac-ac. Also on display are pineapple (piña) cloth items, including three elegant gowns from about 1936, gifts from First Lady Aurora Quezon, wife of President Manuel L. Quezon, to her friend, the late Mrs. Ann Schinazi.

The Philippine Folklife Museum Foundation constantly updates and expands its exhibits. In 2012, a permanent exhibit on Dr. José Rizal was inaugurated. The Rizaliana exhibit features the hand-carved bust of Dr. José Rizal by Luis Ac-Ac on a pedestal stand. Also on display are Rizal’s family tree, with individual photos of Rizal’s parents and his ten siblings in Demure Damask mini black frames, and the women who made a difference in Rizal’s life with each photo in a vintage jeweled ornate frame. Copies of the manuscripts of Rizal’s two novels, “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo,” and of his last poem, “Mi Ultimo Adios,” in Spanish, English, and Tagalog, are printed on canvas and displayed as banners.

The latest addition is a statue of Andrés Bonifacio in marble dust and resin with a bronze finish, an 18-inch replica of the Bonifacio Monument at Pugad Lawin by Anastacio Caedo, one of the Philippines’ greatest sculptors, together with a black-and-white portrait of Andrés Bonifacio beautifully framed in wood and glass and centered with his biography.

Also available for viewing are the beautiful photos on canvas by photographer David Fabros. These are the “Cry of Balintawak” or “Cry of Pugad Lawin,” depicting the beginning of the Philippine Revolution against Spain in 1896 led by Andrés Bonifacio, and “The Martyrdom of Rizal,” depicting his execution at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) on December 30, 1896. Both photos were based on the original mural of Botong Francisco, Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts in 1973. Also displayed is a photo of Dr. José Rizal based on the original wood sculpture by Isabelo Tampico.

“It is an opportunity to view works of art by famous Philippine sculptors and painters and learn the history of the Philippines right here in the City of San Francisco,” says Museum Operations & Development Chair Lydia S. de la Cruz. She invites the public to visit and make the museum a destination with friends and families. The museum is open Monday–Friday 10:00AM – 4:00PM.