COLUMNS

                                 Heroes' Hall

by Sir Manny Bade, KCR

The Making of Heroes

We live in a rather unusual world.  The mass media, particularly the television have warped the sense of value of our children.  What makes me particularly sad is that they now emulate a different set of heroes.  As a member of the Knights of Rizal Scarborough Chapter's team that went around heritage classes in Ontario to teach children, I would often asked them who were their heroes.  Their answer invariably narrows down to sports and entertainment personalities: Joe Carter, Roberto Alomar, Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson.  Michael Jackson!

But though they admire these personalities, children still have the basic instinct to distinguish real heroes.  I told them about an incident that happened in Toronto a few years back when a passing motorist was flagged
down by a screaming woman.  She told the motorist that her house was on fire and her baby was inside.  The man did not even think twice, he jumped right
into the house braving intense heat and thick smoke.  Minutes later he emerged with the baby in his arms.

I then asked them, would they consider this man a hero?  They all answered yes.  Would they admire him more than Vince Carter, or Doug Gilmore?  The answer was a resounding yes.  So not all is lost.  As usual, it all boils down to educating our children.  

That's why I have started this column.  This is not about heroes of the past. This is about modern day heroes, who risked their lives to save others.  These are people whose unselfishness makes others live, who by their action create a better world, and who give others in the grip of despair the sense that after all life is still worth living.  Here I will extol the values of people who had been recognized as heroes.  As an
example, just last week, two teenage students both aged 13 received the Crossing Guard Award for saving the life of a school bus driver who suffered
 a severe allergic reaction.  Without the pair's quick action, the victim would have died.  That's why they are now hailed as heroes.

My main sources would be the newspapers.  But, I would also need the input of the readers particularly the Knights and Ladies.  Please send your nominations to me via email at emmanuelbade@rogers.com

At the end of the year, we will give these heroes the Order of the Knights of Rizal heroism award.  We will invite them and their friends and relatives to our Christmas party and give them each a plaque or a statuette signifying our recognition of their heroic deeds.

But most importantly, their deeds will be extolled in our web site, such that others would continue to read them and be inspired by their actions, their heroism forever instilled in the hearts and minds of others.

by Sir Jun Zerrudo, KOR

Rizalism As A Way of Life?

The theme in the Order’s 14^th International Assembly that will be held in Vernon, Connecticut in September is “Embrace Rizalism As A Way Of Life”. One would assume that the objective is to adopt Rizalism, just as the phrase says, as “a way of life”. My question is, just exactly how does one do that?

The way I see it, it is not possible to live like Rizal if that is what Rizalism means. Indeed, what does Rizalism mean? In a world full of “isms” – capitalism, Hinduism, etc. – where would Rizal’s ism fit or what category will it fall under? Is it an ideology? A philosophy? A religion?

In the Philippines a number of people venerate Rizal as if he were deity. Whether they look up to him as someone who had supernatural attributes and hence worthy of praise and adoration I’m not sure. As followers, whether they live like Rizal would live or would have wanted them to live is even more doubtful. So, if there’s a group of people who could apply Rizalism as a way of life it would be these Rizalistas. Interestingly, because of the existence of the cult and the confusion the term generates, I refuse to be called a "Rizalista". More about this next issue.

When I think of Rizal I think of what the hero did and what he desired for his country and people. We all know he wanted freedom, justice and respect. He also wanted his people to be progressive intellectually, economically, socially. When I think of him I also think of how he actually lived. He lived like any normal human being would. He enjoyed life as much as his circumstances allowed him to enjoy and he suffered as much pain and angst as his conditions made him so.

So, what makes Rizal so special for any one to emulate him and call the practice Rizalism? Or is that, after all, how one would define Rizalism?  I am tempted to submit my own answers but I’d rather that you share yours. Please email them to me. A brief comment would be welcome, an essay even more so.

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I would like to thank those who sent congratulatory messages on the launching of this website. I would also like to explain that although this belongs to the Scarborough Chapter, it caters to all Chapters of the Order and to its affiliate organizations all over the world. Just send any announcement or article that is newsworthy or significant enough for international consumption. Even non-members are welcome to contribute. 

(Sir Jun Zerrudo is the manager and editor of this website.)