Loren urges Filipinos to fulfill Rizal’s vision

SEN. LOREN LEGARDA URGED THE FILIPINOS “TO FULFILL THE VISION OF OUR NATIONAL HERO, DR. JOSE RIZAL,” ON THE OCCASION OF THE 113TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS MARTYRDOM.
Loren said that while the Filipinos “have honored Rizal since his execution by a foreign colonial power, establishing him as our foremost national hero, we still have to fulfill the vision for which he sacrificed his life.”
“This vision,” according to Loren, “is that of a united, strong, independent and progressive country, where justice, equality and harmony reigns, in which all citizens share in the bounty of its natural wealth, where its inhabitants do not have to leave for alien lands to seek opportunities and support their families, where there are no slums and there is food on every table, and where everyone is enlightened through education and receive medical care in ill health.”
Loren cited the vision of Rizal, expressed in his article, The Philippines a Century Hence, published in the journal, La Solidaridad, in which he described a Philippines that “will defend with indescribable ardor the liberty she has bought at so much blood and sacrifice.”
Rizal continued, “With the new men that will spring from her bosom … she will perhaps enter openly the wide road of progress and all will work jointly to strengthen the Mother Country at home as well as abroad … Then the mines – gold, iron, copper, lead, coal and others – will be worked again and will solve the problem of poverty… maritime and commercial activities (will be revived for which our people) have a natural aptitude.”
Loren said that Rizal is a paradigm that shows up the best of the Filipino, his intelligence, ability, capability and willingness to sacrifice himself for the good of the people.
An environmentalist, Loren also mentioned Rizal’s concern for the environment. During his exile in Dapitan, Rizal engaged in farming, planting trees and crops, and showing the local people how to improve their agricultural productivity through modern methods like irrigation and other scientific practices.
“To achieve the vision of Rizal, we must emulate him. Only then can we honor him to the full and real extent that he deserves.”