Sydneysider Floro Quibuyen, PhD. conducted the first lecture of the Virtual Rizalian Lecture Series II: "Kundiman ng Bayan: Jose, Paciano and the Rizal Family in the time of the Revolution and Beyond" shared by the CENTER FOR RIZALIAN STUDIES of the Knights of Rizal-Aloha Chapter, Hawai’i, USA.
Dr. Quibuyen KCR taught various humanities and social sciences courses at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of the Philippines, and the University of Santo Tomas.
The first lecture of the Virtual Rizalian Lecture Series II: "Kundiman ng Bayan: Jose, Paciano and the Rizal Family in the time of the Revolution and Beyond in You Tube.
Abstract:
The last three decades of the 19th century in the Philippines began as a Spring of rising expectations for a people struggling to be free from Spanish colonialism. Yet, it ended in the tragedy of American conquest in which half a million Filipinos died.
During this period, amidst epidemics, catastrophes, violence and wars, one family stood out for its fortitude, heroism, compassion, and nobility—the Rizal family of the town of Calamba, in the province of Laguna, Philippines.
The Philippines today duly honors the memory of the most gifted member of that family (and of the nation as well) who died a nationalist martyr in the prime of his exceptionally productive life—Dr. Jose Rizal.
But if we are to understand the origin and trajectory of the Philippines’ struggle for nationhood, it is to Jose Rizal’s elder brother Paciano that we must turn. Out of all Filipino heroes in the 19th-century nationalist movement, it was Paciano who played key roles from the beginning to the end, especially in the later phases of the movement.
The Philippines’ national hero, Jose Rizal, was right in declaring Paciano as “the noblest of all Filipinos”. Yet, Paciano is the least known and celebrated.
Paciano was the bright lamp that illumined the path for his younger brother and fellow Filipinos—a hero in his own right. And behind the two brothers is the story of a loving and conscientious family—of a brave and devoted mother, of a gentle and kind father, of loyal daughters and granddaughters, four of whom became leading members of the radical organization Katipunan that initiated the revolution against Spanish rule in the Philippines.
These heroic four are the daughters Josefa and Trinidad and the granddaughters Angelica Rizal Lopez and Delfina Rizal Herbosa.
The story of Paciano and the Rizal family is the story of a dispossessed people struggling to reclaim their stolen land and reaffirm their dignity and right to flourish as a happy prosperous nation. It is a story for Filipinos and all peoples of the world who believe in freedom and justice." -- FCQuibuyen
One of his reactions towards the end of the lecture was the conclusion that Dr Jose Rizal has never retracted as a mason, and that he never married his Irish sweetheart Josephine Bracken in jail, which the historians have falsely claimed.
“Quibuyen was furious that Philippine History has been deleted within the Philippine curriculums and now they are also attempting to remove Rizal’s life and Legacy studies which would be a shame to deprive such knowledge of our future Filipino generations!”
A reaction was given after the lecture by Gemma Cruz Araneta, a descendant of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
“Dr Floro Quibuyen’s lectures are always mind-boggling and heart-rending that’s because for him the past is alive and he connects this with the present to help us figure out the future!" Gemma Araneta says.
“Dr. Quibuyen also decolonised our Philippine history from the perspective of the eyes of our natives in the context of economic, socio-political development.
“Now I understand why historians published the books “Philippine History for Catholic Schools by Gregorio Zaide” which actually hid the weaknesses of the Dominican Friars, a matter of injustice of the colonial system against the people called the “Calamba Hacienda Case!, she added.
“It makes us understand from your lecture on what the Dominicans did to Dr Jose Rizal by then and not only to his family but to the rest of the Filipinos, Ms Araneta recalled.
“The Philippine Congress or the Senate is currently initiating a review the Rizal Law or the teachings of the works of Dr Jose Rizal in the Philippine schools. I think we should Dr Quibuyen KCR and the Order of the Knights of Rizal brotherhood should keep an eye on this review and be vigilant about this, Ms Araneta clearly warned the Rizalistas!
Dr Quibuyen has also responded:
"Back in the 80’s there was an attempt to abolish Rizal Law and Rizal studies within the curriculum but back then, the national teachers have successfully strongly united against it.
I find it absurd and dangerous that the Philippine government have already succeeded in removing Philippine History in the level of High School curriculums, if they remove the Rizal Course they will succeed in portraying what the Dominican friars actually wanted to portray in history!
In Australia, even as early as primary school they were required to study Australian history, with another option of European and American history.
In the United States, I know that American History is required in High School.
In the case of the Philippines, I find it dangerous that they have removed Philippine History in the curriculum, the next attempt will be to do away with Rizal Law studies, which will censor our historical studies as being controlled by the friars."
We thank the Knights of Rizal-Aloha Chapter, Knights of Rizal International Headquarters Supreme Council for sharing, Mayor Vice Calderon, Maureen Fernandez, Meliton Garraton, Dean Suba, Serafin Colmenares, Jun Suela, Rodgie Mark Bucsit, Wayland T Quintero, Federico Magdalena, Henry Aquino, Ryan Yamane, Stan Mamuad, Ernest David Kaimana Caravalho, James Logue, Tim Llena, BeRueda MicHael, Arnold R. Villafuerte, Alex Vergara, Gino Soqueña, Nilda Boland, Divina Telan- Robillard, Rebecca Crisostomo, Vina Lanzona, Knights Of Rizal NarraChapter, Knights-of Rizal Elias Chapter, Knightsdubai Chapter. Knightsofrizal Winnipeg, Kor Calamba, Kor Rizal.
Photos by:
Radio Rizal 100.9 FM 2BACR
As first published in Munting Nayon.