By Zen Trinidad
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna June 19 (PNA) — Thousands of Rizal followers in groups, organizations, Indigenous People and the Local government of Calamba unite and launch the 1st Fiesta Rizalista on June 18, 2015 in this city, the birthplace of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine National Hero.
The Fiesta Rizalista was a one day event highlighted by various booths, traditional Filipino games dubbed as “Palaro ng Lahi” administered by the Knights of Rizal (KOR) Calamba Chapter led by Sir Edu Junio, commander. This was followed by a formal program of tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal as a reformist, historical and mystical figure through speeches, songs, tribal dances, and the ritual of unity by Reyna Yolanda Manalo and the lighting of torches while Joey Ayala provided the background of his original songs.
Peter Capitan, head of the city’s Information, Investment Promotion and Employment Services Office (IIPESO said that as early as January this year together with Vice Mayor Roseller Ross Rizal, Sir Edu Junio, commander of the Knights of Rizal (KOR) Calamba Chapter; and Reyna Yolanda Manalo of CELYO Rizal, Inc. asked the approval of Mayor Justin Marc Chipeco to hold a gathering of believers of Rizal’s life and works and to incorporate it with the city’s Buhayan Festival in time with the birth anniversary celebration of Dr. Jose P. Rizal every June 19 each year.
Vice Mayor Ross Rizal , also a descendant of the Rizal family, expressed in his speech the gladness in his heart that for the first time various sectors in the society who are followers of Rizal’s life, works, and teachings converged and united in the historical City of Calamba.
”I am glad to see that various sectors of the society including our tribal brothers and sisters in the indigenous community as far as Cagayan province in the north to Davao City and Zamboanga del Norte in the south are gathered here in the historical city of Calamba, the birthplace of our National Hero,” he said.
The vice mayor likewise mentioned that the Fiesta Rizalista will now become an institution to be celebrated every 18th of June as part of the Buhayani Festival celebration from June 12-19 each year by virtue of the an ordinance which was passed in May and signed by Mayor Chipeco on June 12 this year.>Sir Junio lamented that at first it was impossible to gather various groups. “It seemed impossible in the early stage. We went as far as Cagayan province, Ilocos Norte to visit the different tribes and Rizalista groups. And here it is at last.”
Sir Attorney Celso B. Hilbero of the Dr. J.P. Rizal (Calamba) Lodge Number 270 of the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines welcomed the development however, different non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs) and other sectors should be invited and taught on the relevant teachings of Dr. Jose Rizal in their lives.
Engineer Joey Mosqueda, Jr. of the Tutupad Ka Patriot, a youth organization who celebrates every 18th of June with lighting of torch symbolizing knowledge after darkness for the past 12 years commented, “The idea of unity is great and we have the common denominator, the youth.”
Reyna Yolanda Manalo of the CELYO Rizal said ,”People did not realize that Rizal represents three aspects: the reformist aspect, the historical aspect as revealed in the written records and the mystical aspect which is rarely revealed.” “This gathering may lead to deeper understanding of Rizal’s mystical aspect for he is the father of cooperative, the father of nature as represented by air, water, fire and earth,” she added.
Reyna Yolanda was responsible in bringing members of Agta tribe of Cagayan Valley, Isneg tribe of Ilocos Norte, Ayangan tribe of Ifugao, Igorot tribe of Mountain province, Itawes tribe of Cagayan Valley and delegations from Visayas to the event.
Other Rizal followers who attended the event belong to the Cadena de amor, Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi, Universal Rizalista Brotherhood Assn. Inc. (URBAI), Kababaihang Rizalista, Iglesia ng Lipi ni Gat Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Iglesia Pilipina, Royal Maharlika, Kapatirang Ang Litaw Na Katalinuhan, Supreme Student Government-Calamba City; Squires and Sweethearts of Dr. Jose Rizal and guests.
These same groups will also join the Annual Grand Parade on June 19 for the culmination of the Buhayani Festival. (PNA)