CEBU, Philippines - In commemoration of Jose Rizal's 150th birthday, Ayala Center Cebu, in partnership with the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) organized an exhibit entitled "Rizal Haligi ng Bayan." The opening ceremonies took place last June 17 at the Paseo Solana, 2nd level of Ayala Center Cebu.
The small gathering was welcomed by none other than Cebu's Vice Governor, Agnes Magpale. "This exhibit is a good way to let our young generation know how we got our independence," Magpale said in her rationale.
The exhibit showed replicas of Rizal's clothing. Rizal statues are also displayed in the exhibit, as well as a chronological timeline of Rizal's life. Looking at all the displays, one can't help but feel a sense of patriotism and pride for all the hardships our hero had gone through for our independence.
One of the organizers of the exhibit was Dr. Lourdes Jereza, USPF Vice President for External Affairs. According to Jereza, it was their first time to showcase the Rizal collection at a mall. She said that it is a good venue for the exhibit because their main target is the younger generation. "The young don't pay attention to our national heroes (anymore); they're more interested in cartoon heroes."
Jereza hopes to help fulfill Rizal's prophecy, 'The youth is the hope of the fatherland,' through these exhibits. With the rate they're going, this notion, for sure, is just within their reach.
The exhibit runs until today. Activities on the closing ceremonies will be a Rizal parade, wherein people will be sporting Rizal costumes and a concert, featuring songs of Rizal's time.
The Rizal Exhibit will soon be traveling to different places, at University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University and many more.