Message of Senator Loren Legarda | Launch of the German Versions of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo | 15 October 2025

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, fellow Filipinos, friends of the Philippines:

As we close this meaningful gathering, allow me to express my profound gratitude to everyone who made possible the rebirth of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in the German language – to Suhrkamp Verlag, Morio Verlag, the translators and scholars who labored tremendously and with love, for ensuring that Rizal continues to speak to the world.

There is deep symbolism in being here in Frankfurt, not far from Berlin and Ghent, where Noli and El Fili first saw print more than a century ago. And here we have come full circle: the works that once challenged the conscience of an empire are now returning to Europe, not as cries of the oppressed, but as invitations to dialogue – between past and present, between nations, and between cultures that continue to the common good.

Rizal believed that the path to nationhood began with enlightenment. He taught us that reform must begin with the mind, and that knowledge is the first act of resistance. In Noli and El Fili, he revealed not only the struggles of his time but the moral challenges that still face us today. The abuse of power by global hegemons, the silence of the educated, and the indifference of the privileged – these are not relics of the past. They remain as lessons for our age.

And as we confront the crises of the time – the climate emergency, the loss of precolonial heritage, and the erosion of truth – Rizal’s wisdom offers both a mirror and a map. In Noli, we find the belief that the enlightenment of the nation is borne out of empathy and compassion; in El Fili, we fathom the pain that follows disillusionment, yet also the moral courage to demand change. Together, they remind us that Filipino nationhood requires more than patriotism and shared identity. It requires heart and courage: the heart to feel the suffering of others, and the courage to act on it.

As someone who has spent much of my public life championing education, the arts, and the preservation of our cultural memory, I see this launch more than a literary event. I see this launch as an act of renewal, of a promise that our stories, when told and retold, when shared beyond our own borders, can still change lives and nations.

To our German friends, may these translations open new paths of understanding between our nations. Rizal’s writings remind us that the pursuit of knowledge and compassion is a shared human endeavor that transcends geography and time.

To our fellow Filipinos abroad, may this remind us that we are heirs to a rich tradition of thought and conscience. Wherever we go, the wisdom of Rizal’s words can guide us toward the heart and courage necessary for our national survival.

As we close, let us remember what the words of the young Crisostomo Ibarra, who is Rizal’s reflection of his own ideals in Noli Me Tangere:
“I seek truth by means of study, for I wish to be human.”

May this remind us that to learn is to live with purpose, and that our shared humanity is strengthened each time we seek truth, justice, and compassion.

Maraming salamat. Danke schön. Thank you very much, and may Rizal’s light continue to guide us all.