How well do we know Rizal?

Today is another holiday. Malacañang declared it to be a special non-working holiday to commemorate the 150th birthday of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. I don’t want to appear like I don’t love holidays, who doesn’t? But what will majority of the students do today? Where will they go? I’m pretty sure if they were in school, they would have been able to learn more about the life and works of Rizal. But since today has already been declared a holiday, I am sure we will see many of our youth scattered around the different malls (instead of museums or parks), hanging out with their friends and probably watching movies (which have nothing to do with Rizal).

Anyway, just the same, we seem to be so used to declaring holidays that we ignore the effect it has on our economy. But that is another topic all together.

How well do we really know Rizal? My late grandfather Benito T. Soliven won in an essay writing contest about Rizal. He was a student at the College of Law in the University of the Philippines (circa 1919). It is entitled, Rizal as a Scientist. Here are some highlights of it:

A patriot, an artist, and a man of science: these constitute, if the expression may be allowed, the triune individuality of our national hero. We love him as the fearless, martyred champion of our country’s cause. We recognize in him the gifted lover of beauty and the fine arts. But do we as fully appreciate the fact that he was a scientist who would have given credit to any race, a scientist, whose penetrating mind and profound intellect, was not content with any superficial view?

His love of science showed itself at an early age. Rizal distinguished himself not only in literature, but also, and with equal success, in science, especially in chemistry. His proficiency in science was simply amazing, making him well known among the famous scientists of Europe.

Rizal as a Doctor of Medicine and Ophthalmologist: Rizal followed the sound advice of Father Burgos (of UST) to study abroad. He continued his medical studies in the Central University of Madrid. He was an exceedingly methodical student, and as fruits of the labor, his well written “Apuntes de Obstetrica” and his “Apuntes Clinicos” are an eloquent proof of his application and diligence.

After graduating with the degree of Licentiate in Medicine, he gave special attention to ophthalmology (in Paris) with a desire to improve the increasing blindness of his mother. He showed masterful grasp of the matter and gained the respect of leading doctors in the field (from France, Leipzig to Berlin). Upon his return to the Philippines, he relieved his mother’s blindness and ventured to giving his professional service treating his countrymen. His repeated success in the treatment of eye troubles acquired for him in the Far East the reputation of a skillful oculist. More than his share, he contributed to the relief of suffering humanity.

Rizal as an Ethnologist: After extensive studies in ethnology in famous universities in France, Germany and England, Rizal concluded that: (1) The psychology of all human races is essentially the same; (2) Nations rise to a higher social strata. This rising depends not only on the inherent ability of a nation, but also on the favorableness of circumstances; (3) There are men who are rich because they inherit the riches acquired by their parents. The present European nations are intellectually rich but they cannot assert that they have always been so since their formation. The ancient Romans had no better opinion of the Germans than the Spaniards have of the Filipinos. The intellectual wealth of Europe is the result of many centuries of intellectual evolution; (4) The colored races have been unjustly criticized. Only energetic men wander to exotic lands, with the firm belief that they are destined to rule over the natives, and with strong prejudices against them; (5) The skin of the colored man exposes him to the prejudices of Europeans, and in that consists misfortune. His slightest defects are the ones noticed. If he is a perfect gentleman and is really talented, he may be admired as a well trained circus poodle, but never as an equal being.

Rizal as a Philologist: The linguistic versatility of Rizal was really marvelous. Not only did he use Spanish, French, German and English perfectly, but also spoke Latin, Greek, Arab, Sanskrit, Hebrew, Swede, Dutch, Catalan, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, Visayan, and the Moro dialect of Mindanao. It is indeed to be deplored that a great scholar - for such he was regarded was prevented by his death from giving us the full benefit of his genius and learning.

Rizal as a Naturalist: As a boy, Rizal spent a large part of his time wandering in the forest and among the hills, or along the beach hunting for specimens of flowers, shells, insects and reptiles. He worked with the then Governor of Dapitan classifying medicinal plants, different kinds of wood and even metals.

Serving to perpetuate his name in scientific nomenclature, he discovered three rare specimens of animal life as yet unclassified by science. The first was a frog completely unknown to zoologists - named “Rhacopherus Rizali.” The second was a species of coleopter - called “Apogonia Rizali.” The third was a dragon of rare kind - named “Draco Rizali.”

Rizal’s many-sided and powerful mind also displayed itself in other fields: engineering, land surveyor and agricultural expert; military fortification (in Spain); graduated Licentiate Philosophy and Literature (in Madrid);

Rizal always had in view as the principal object of his studies the improvement of existing conditions in his country. He had taken up his life labor to uplift of an oppressed people, and valiantly, nobly, persistently put forth all the energies of his soul, all the strength of his great mind, in order that the end might be attained, and finally with heroic abnegation and joy, he poured out his blood in the hope that the cause might triumph.

His death was not only a terrible blow to his country. The loss was also felt by the scientific world and all humanity at large. While the newspapers of three continents sent forth an energetic protest against that unwarranted act of tyranny and cruelty, scientists of the world-wide fame expressed their deep condolences for the death of a martyr.

Rizal’s life has come to pass but his spirit lingers within our soul. History has taught us many lessons. Rizal’s works are a part of that history but more important, his words, ideas and sentiments continue to echo in our hearts and mind.