THE recent Gomburza film by Jesuit Communications directed by Pepe Diokno (an unexpected hit!) and an earlier documentary by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) with the same name of which I was a historical consultant underscored the link between the events of 1872 and the martyrdom of the Filipino priests Mariano Gomes, José Burgos and Jacinto Zamora, and what eventually would become the birth of the Filipino nation. This was achieved through José Rizal, who dedicated his second novel El Filibusterismo to the three priests, and Andres Bonifacio s revolutionary movement, the Katipunan, which used what was believed to be a piece of clothing from the priests execution in their rituals, sort of a talisman, and vowed in their writings to avenge them.
On the 30th day of December yearly, the whole nation observes the death anniversary of our great national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. This is to commemorate the nationalism and martyrdom of Rizal which is highlighted by the raising of the Philippine flag and wreath laying-ceremonies at the Luneta Park, Rizal Shrine in Calamba and Zamboanga and Rizal Monument in Baguio City. For this reason, 30 December is declared a national non-working holiday. The theme of this year’s Rizal Day celebration is “Rizalismo: Sandigan ng Kaunlaran, Pagkakaisa at Kapayapaan” which is apparently timely to the status quo with the economic crisis and political conflicts confronting the Filipinos. We often come up with a theme such as the abovementioned to arouse the nationalistic fervor of the people and join hand in hand in the celebration of Rizal’s martyrdom. Another reason for the said celebration is perhaps to bring the Filipinos together as they immortalize Rizal and his significance in contempo