December 30, 2012, the Philippines celebrated the 116th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, our national hero. Flags and tarpaulins had been visible in the major areas in Metro Manila since the beginning of December. There are also other significant activities but the highlight of course happened at the Rizal Monument at Rizal Park in Manila.
Honestly, I was only at home that day because unfortunately I was sick. I didn’t personally experience the celebration. I only referred to the stories of my classmates who went there and of course in news. According to my classmates, they really had fun. I really wanted to go but for some reasons I can’t.
Anyway, there are different ways Rizal day was celebrated. In Gubat, Sorsogon, there were marathon reading of the two novels of Jose Rizal, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo while wearing barong and filipiniana. In Sarat, Ilocos Norte, the Rizalistas offered a prayer and sang different versions of Lupang Hinirang.
While in Luneta Park, procession of the replica of the urn of Rizal was put in the karosa directed by the Knights of Rizal, MMDA, and the National Historical Council of the Philippines The parade started from Binondo in Manila to his monument in Luneta with the accompaniment of Rizal’s grandchildren. In front of his monument, the Philippine was raised which was lead by our president, Noynoy Aquino after that offering of flowers with 21 guns salute was done.
