Filipinos around the world celebrate the 160th birthday of Dr Jose P Rizal on 19th June, 2021. The great love for his country and countrymen cost Dr Rizal his ultimate sacrifice of being shot by a firing squad. Dr Rizal's teachings have lived on and touched many lives as the years gone by.
As The Australian Filipina's offering for the celebration of his birthday, we are featuring Josephine (nicknamed "Jopen") Quintero who is his great-grandniece. Jopen who is based in Brighton, Victoria was the special guest in a Mother's Day event undertaken by the Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. - Sydney Chapter. The event undertaken through zoom involved readings paying tribute to Teodora Alonzo, the mother of Dr Rizal.
We are glad to share our Q&A interview with Josephine to gain an insight into her persona and her sharing as to what it is like to be related to someone who has been much admired, loved and revered by Filipinos over the years.
*Please share a bit of information about you.
I was born in Makati, Metro Manila in Philippines.Serafin Quintero was one of the nephews of Dr. Jose Rizal. Serafin Quintero and Violeta Saban have children from eldest to youngest: JESUS, JOSEPHINE, JULIETA and JULIA CRISTINA. Jesus died when he was only 5 years old. I went to Paco Catholic School in elementary; then Philippine Women's University in high school. I did Commerce at St. Paul College in Manila.
Before I came to Australia, I worked as a Money Market Trader at IUCP in Makati. Money Market was not very popular in Melbourne when I arrived in 1980, so I landed as Sales Administrator for Arlec/Soanar for approximately 10 years but it went into receivership in 1990's when we had financial downturn. This was when I started my remittance business.
I got married to Robert Liddle in August 2010. We have no children but I have one daughter, Soledad, from previous marriage. Her father died many years ago. Robert was already heavily involved in different Filipino associations before we got married and we knew each other for 15 years before we got married. He was also a customer of J AND J EXPRESS.
It was of no consequence to Robert when he found out that I was related to JPR, as he did not really know much about JPR. He even asked if JPR is known to all Filipinos. Robert was a graduate of Melbourne Grammar and he worked for various companies, like VicRoads, as Human Resource Manager. I use my maiden name due to my business J AND J EXPRESS which I am still involved with.
*What achievements do you hold fondly in your heart?
I have always been interested in finance so I did a few short courses in finance, e.g. investment, taxation etc. which I applied in my personal life and to familiarize myself with the Australian system. And, because of this, I was able to financially nurture my situation. I set up my remittance business, J & J Express in 1990, which extremely did well, now being managed by Mars and Chit Salazar, who used to work for me.
I also produced concerts of singers like Gary Valenciano, Side A, Regine Velasquez, Nonoy Zuniga, Rico Puno etc. Because of these achievements, I was able to travel the world with my mother as my gift to her. At the same time I went into stock market and real estate investment. I am the Past President of Australian Council for Multicultural Entrepreneurs till 2020. I joined this group because my passion is business.
*On the flip side, what challenges have you face and overcome?
When I was new in Australia, I could feel that people at work were underestimating me, probably, because I am a woman, short and with a strong accent. As a Sales Administrator, I proved myself to them, so I was able to demand a salary increase annually. And, when I started my own business, I was always mistaken as the employee and not the owner.
*What advice would you give kababayans who might be having hardships settling into their new country?
I heard of stories where some Filipinos go back to Philippines after a few years of just staying here. We all have different stories so it will be hard to advise on this. It depends also on what is most important to you, I guess. I couldn't cope with the housework so I almost went back myself. But, because I made this decision, I just thought of joining the gym to make myself stronger.
*At what age did you first realise that you are related to a great man? How did you feel then and now knowing that how much he is almost revered as a saint of the people?
When I was in Grade One or before, I could hear my relatives talking about being related to Dr. Jose Rizal but I did not take notice of it. One day, I was telling my classmate that I was related to Dr. Jose Rizal and she replied "Oh, I am related also to Andres Bonifacio." Obviously, she did not believe me so I stopped telling anyone and I started doubting myself. When I was in high school, we had a Rizal book and I saw my parents' names in the Rizal Family tree and this confirmed that I am really related to him.
I am very proud to be related to JPR but I am sure that we have some Filipino people like JPR but just unrecognised by the people at the present moment. One of them is Benigno Aquino. He came back to Philippines knowing that he would get assassinated.
*What was the best part knowing you are related to Dr Rizal?
The best part of knowing that I am related to JPR was when the owner of National Teachers College, the Arguelles Family, in mid 1990s organised a reunion for the Rizal Family. When we all arrived, we were greeted by all students at the ground floor and taken upstairs to meet all the other relatives. Each of our old uncles spoke of their personal experiences with different families of JPR, and all the students were there listening attentively. One of the uncles mentioned that we, the younger ones then, must continue on with the legacy of JPR.
*Were there challenges you had to face due to being related to Dr Rizal; if yes, what were they?
It is normal that when you are related to a great man, people expect more from you. This does not bother me anymore because we can all be different, even siblings of the same parents.
* What inspires you the most about Dr Rizal? or which of his traits you feel had guided you?
JPR witnessed the unfairly treatment of the oppressed. So, he always tried to protect and look after the underdogs, which includes his family. I am influenced in such a way that if I was a doctor, I would look after the poor people for free; and if I was a lawyer, I would defend the oppressed for free.
Also, certain incidents must have shown my inclination to this when a leader of a certain Filipino association was being attacked discriminately by highly educated Filipinos. So, I decided to write his letters without letting anyone know that I wrote it. However, the leader of the other association phoned me and asked me , “ WHY DO I SIDE WITH LABORERS or TRADIES? And, my reply was “ANYONE CAN BE A LEADER AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE RIGHT INTENTION THAN A HIGHLY EDUCATED PERSON WHO HAS NO GOOD INTENTION”.
*Lastly, how do you define 'success'?
Success is when you are able to defeat the hurdles in life and you can make decisions without fearing anyone.