Living the modern hero’s life

MANILA, Philippines - “It’s good. It means new perspective, new thinking, new idealism,” replies Calamba City Mayor Justin Marc “Timmy” SB Chipeco when asked about the emergence and presence of young leaders in the public service. “I think it’s also about time to have a generational change of leadership. It’s not that we’re taking for granted the old ones. Of course, we need their wisdom. It’s different when you’re younger. You can do a lot of things. It’s good there’s a generational mixture of makabago at makaluma.”

Living up to the ideas of marrying the old and the new and bridging the past and the present is the Buhayani Festival (Buhay ng Bayani, Buhay na Bayani!), which is being spearheaded by the city mayor. The event, also known as Rizal Day, is a week-long celebration which kicked off on June 12 (Philippine Independence Day) and culminates tomorrow, June 19 (the actual date of Rizal Day and Laguna Day).   

“The concept is (putting together) the old and the new,” says Chipeco. “Parang buhay na bayani (a living hero). While we recognize Rizal as our national hero because of the things he has done during his time, it doesn’t mean that we have to stop from there. We can move on and see if we are heroes in our own right.”

The Buhayani Festival is the city government’s effort to remind everyone that knowing one’s roots and heritage is important. “We have to look at how Rizal has become (from his childhood days to school days and writing days),” says Chipeco. It challenges Filipinos to redefine the word “hero” like someone who doesn’t need to sacrifice one’s life and who simply does the right thing. The thrust of the festival is also about aspiring to become a good person and a good citizen.

Located south of Metro Manila, Calamba City expects tourists and delegates (such as tribal groups and Rizalistas from different provinces) to participate in the event aside from the contingents representing its 54 barangays. These people will get a peek into the life Calambeños enjoy. There are industries that they can engage in. Tourism and historical areas such as The Rizal Monument at The Plaza, The Banga, St. John the Baptist Church, the National Historical Institute-managed The Rizal Shrine and hot springs abound. Commercial and residential areas are in place, so are health and educational facilities. Calamba City is bustling but the laid-back atmosphere remains.

“It’s (about) harmony in growing,” says Chipeco. “You can’t just be busy doing infrastructure projects and you forget your people. Or you just do projects for a particular sector, and then you neglect the other sector. I believe in striking a balance in everything.”

Proof to that is the twice-a-month Serbisyo Caravan in Calamba where barangays can have medical and dental mission; individuals can secure birth certificates and avail of legal and business services. Senior citizens are entitled to two movies a month, plus birthday and Christmas gifts. There are tree-planting and nutrition efforts. All this is done in the spirit of living the bayani life or the buhayani lifestyle.

Last week saw residents of Calamba participating and witnessing such activities as Larong Pinoy sa Dambanang Rizal, Pagtatanghal Martsa de Rizal, Hawig Rizal, Saranggolahan ni Pepe and Calambike ng Pepedals. Early this week had Talinong Rizal and Buhayani Short Film Festival. Upcoming events are Pagtatanghal Kultura (today) and Float Parade Competition, the 153rd birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal and Buhayani Sayawindak Street Dancing Competition (tomorrow). 

“We want to impart (Rizal’s) life,” concludes Mayor Chipeco. “There’s a (call) for the preservation of culture because we might forget our roots and we might make the same mistakes again.”

Buhayani Festival will never fail to remind us of this.