Minor offenders get lecture about Rizal

CEBU, Philippines - More than 200 juvenile delinquents at the Cebu City Operations Second Chance were given a commemorative lecture and film showing on the life of Dr. Jose Rizal in celebration of the birthday of the national hero.

The activity was organized by the Knights of Rizal in cooperation with the Cebu City government thru its Cultural and Historical Affairs Office.

A documentary entitled “Rizal sa Landas sa Paglaya” was shown to the minor offenders currently undergoing rehabilitation program at the CCOSC in Barangay Kalunasan.

Balbino “Ka Bino” Guerrero, member of the Knights of Rizal, conducted the lecture.

Guerrero said they chose to hold a commemorative lecture at the jail facility for minors believing that the youth are the future of the country.

Guerrero said that they are hoping that the youth would also have Rizal’s ideals and desires to gain freedom.

“Gipaghimog-atan nato na in aspiring freedom. Hopefully nga ang ideals ni Rizal ma-internalize nila. Naa man silay kaparehaan ni Rizal, nga bilanggo, dili lang si Rizal, ang tibuok nasud nga Pilipinas, bilanggo. Rizal was able to free not just himself but the country,” Guerrero said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said that Rizal should be hailed for his defiance without the use of violence.

“He stood up. A man who is not violent in character, stood up against a very powerful establishment, which is the Spanish hierarchy,” Osmeña said.

The mayor led the celebration of Rizal’s birthday at the City Hall yesterday.

“So let’s celebrate his defiance instead of singing happy birthday… Let us just celebrate by telling Dr. Jose Rizal, daghan kaayong salamat, because he set a model for all of us,” he added.

Rizal was executed by the Spanish colonizers because of his defiance against Spain through his writings.

An exhibit featuring artifacts and other memorabilia about the life and times of Rizal is currently on display at the Cebu City Museum. — Charlene Cobol and Frazene Dolly E. Alterado (FREEMAN)