Rethinking the Rizal of Dapitan

I always have this perception that Jose Rizal is only good at writing – who wrote Noli and Fili that helped shaped the history of this country. Not until I visited Dapitan where he spent four years as a destierro, that was from 1892-1896.

I looked at his sojourn in Dapitan as the nucleus of his public life and the pinnacle of his humanity. There he did everything and offered his all, stranger as he was at the start until the place became him and the people owned him as one of them.

His Dapitan journey began when he got the ire of the Spanish Government because of his Noli and Fili and his attempt to organize La Liga Filipina, an organization that would fight for reforms for the country. For the governor-general, Rizal’s being thrown in the distant Dapitan would keep Rizal miles away from the brewing resistance from the indios now gradually awakened from deep slumber from the abuses and persecutions by the Spaniards. 

When Rizal arrived in Dapitan, he was made to chose to stay either in the commandante’s courthouse or in the priest’s convent. The priest of Dapitan said he would only allow Rizal to stay if he will go back to the Catholic’s fold and withdraw all the negative things he had said against the abuses of the friars. Rizal stayed with the commandante whom he had started a growing close relationship with.

One day, Rizal and the commandante won the lottery in the amount of 20,000 pesos. His share was 6,200 pesos. He paid some of his debts, gave some amount to his family and bought 16-hectare of land called Talisay near the sea shore.

In that piece of land, Rizal established his clinic which he opened to all those who needed medical services, from local or foreign land, rich and poor alike. He established school for boys whom he instructed in various subjects. He built an irrigation system which able to convey water from the mountains to his crop land. He planted different crops and was able to export some of his produce. He discovered some plants and insects which were now scientifically named after him.

In the town center of Dapitan, he designed the town plaza which until today locals and tourists alike find so refreshing and relaxing. The focal point of it is the Rizal Monument. The plaza is dotted at the peripheries by acacia trees which Rizal himself planted. A part of the plaza just facing the St. James Church is the small mound of land forming the map of Mindanao which Rizal had designed with the help of some students at the nearby Parochial School.

It was only four years, yet he has done so much for Dapitan as if he spent there his whole life. He never held any public office yet his selfless leadership and his influence is towering and world-changing. He never think of himself alone. He has given his all, his mind, his heart and his material wealth. Everywhere in Dapitan, I can feel Rizal is very much alive. The city pulsates his life, his poetry, his genius and his contributions that have withstood a century and a quarter of it.

In Dapitan, he was able to show us that he is not just an armchair hero. He is in fact, a working hero defined by the perfect blend of bravery and compassion. He is truly a gift to the Filipino nation. 

One could only wish our leaders and soon-to-be-leaders be a little like him. It only takes a moment of reflection to see a piece of Rizal within us, telling us to get up and join the rays of the sunrise.