Rizal's social cancer still lingers today

Today is the 125th death anniversary of Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, the greatest Malayan who ever lived, and proclaimed as the Philippines' national hero. His achievements in the academe and in the arts, sciences and letters have not been equaled, much less surpassed by any other Filipino. But to me, his greatest work was the novel Noli Me Tangere or the Social Cancer.

Rizal's description of the social, economic, political and cultural realities during his times, unexpectedly by most ordinary people, proved to be far-reaching and are still valid, relevant and even more compelling today. His characters like that of Capitan Tiago personifies the traditional politicians who are not just around but are on top and well-entrenched today. He is the power-hungry influence-peddler, greedy for material possessions and lacking in the character of statesmen. He is without vision for the country and people, and always treats others with patronizing condescension and even contempt. He is arrogant, bossy and exceedingly zealous of his power to control the lives of others.

Capitan Tiago's notorious lack of respect for human life was illustrated by his propensity to eliminate threats to his powers. He did not hesitate to kill as he caused the summary execution of Crisostomo's father, had his underlings throw away his body and the grave diggers had to bury it in shallow graves. Padre Damaso was the perfect illustration of the most unchristian representative of Christ, profligate, maniacal, and aristocrat, using religion as a means to subjugate the native and even to gain sexual favors from women. He was the perennial rival of Capitan Tiago in their insatiable race to gain favor from Spain.

Today, there are religious men, not necessarily Catholics, who use religion to play politics, and use political influence to gain money, power and influence. There are religious men who claim they are appointed by God, as if being a religious leader is a post that requires the approval of the Commission on Appointments. There are some who are being charged of making young girls their virtual sex slaves, and there are many who amass fortunes out of church contributions. They do give to Caesar what does not belong to Caesar and refuse to give to God what belongs to God. There are many so-called impostors who use their sects to run for senators and even for president.

Then there are social climbers like Dona Victorina who use their womanhood to gain wealth and fame, to be accepted by a society of false elites and pretentious social castes claimers. And there are also well-educated ilustrados, like Crisostomo Ibarra whose dream is to educate the Indios so that they could discern the fundamental cancers of their society. But education and reforms are too slow, and there are always Filipinos who are like Elias who want immediate changes even by the power of the swords or the armalites.

The character I am fascinated with is Pilosopo Tasyo who can rise even in the midst of poverty and oppression, social injustice and corruption, to understand the higher meaning of man's struggles. I also like Padre Florentino, the saving grace of the Christian faith, and the good side of religion. Rizal's social cancer was not COVID-19 or malaria or flu. It is the behavioral aberrations and incongruities that reside in the very hearts and souls of Filipinos. Rizal was a genius who understood the essence of human imperfections at an era where man's inhumanity to men was at its worst stage of aggravation.

Rizal saw what Bonfiacio failed to see. He understood what all others did not comprehend at all. In remembering him today, we should reflect on our own flaws and imperfections. And perchance, resolve to become better.