We expect long weekends, consistent with the holiday economics of the previous administration, to be rare under the Aquino government. This is one of those rare long weekends — from 18 to 20 June 2011 (Saturday to Monday), as June 20 was declared a special non-working holiday to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. So, since we’re given this rare long weekend gift, perhaps it’s only right that we think of what Rizal means to each of us and to our country in general. Please use the comment section below.
Rizal’s birth day is actually June 19, a Sunday, but it was moved to a Monday, June 20, per Proclamation 154. The declared purpose? To give all Filipinos the opportunity to commemorate Rizal’s patriotic deeds and sacrifices for the country, rekindle their admiration and respect for him, and to celebrate this milestone with appropriate ceremonies. (Photo courtesy of the Executive Committee for the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, National Historical Commission of the Philippines.) Other places of interest: Rizal Park (Luneta), Rizal Shrine in Fort Santiago and Jose Rizal’s Birth Place (Calamba, Laguna)
Loading ...
The first thing I’ve noticed is the color of the logo. Green. It doesn’t appear to signify anything of importance. It’s not one of the colors of the Philippine flag. Blue is in the flag, and Rizal also went to Ateneo. Yellow is in the flag, and it’s the color of UST, where Rizal also studied (plus it’s the color of P-Noy). Rizal didn’t go to LaSalle, berde. I wonder if the committee is made up of Lasallites.
Why green…
There’s a similar discussion somewhere…
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=47261762634&topic=13573
Fellowmen,
The etymology of our national hero’s surname, Rizal, comes from the spanish word “ricial” meaning “green fields.” His family changed their surname Mercado by the order of then Gov. Gen. Narciso Claveria dated November 11, 1849 and stating that indios (our ancestors’ former status) should adopt a Spanish surname. By the advice of the provincial governor, Don Francisco adopted “ricial,” later “Rizal,” as the family’s second surname for he cannot choose a proper surname from the list given by the gobierno.
This is how NHI adopted the green color for the seal of Rizal @ 150 and the well-known GREEN Rizal Shrine.
Blue, interesting point you raised, although it has the undercurrent of being divisive. @Green Lantern, thanks for the link to Mr. Ocampo’s article. @Marvin, thanks for that information.