Rizal learned all of this through self-education. He wanted his people to have a better life and called on all Filipinos to regenerate themselves, by encouraging personal dignity, changing attitudes and behavior and instilling self-confidence and discarding feelings of inferiority. He championed education as the instrument of social progress as he believed that education opened up new oportunities for people and that reforms would mean nothing if the people did not understand them. He was a global thinker, believing in a world wide community of justice, equality, freedom and understanding. It was quite inspiring to read about his life. Can't you tell?
F. Sionil Jose, the 2002 National Artist of the Philippines, made a visit to a youth artist workshop in Carigara on April 29th. He spoke to the artists about the need for a community and its people to have a sense of art and story in their lives. He was an avid reader as a child and read everything he could get his hands on. Books in the Philippines (outside Cebu and Manilla) are a scarce and precious resource. He is the author of several novels, I am currently reading Mass, about the life of Pepe Samson, from Pangasinan (northern Luzon). The library has several of his books. I have not been able to find anyone here who has read his work. It is an interesting story, about how tough life can be growing up in the Philippines and how cynical it can make a person. It is difficult for me to understand, but how can you expect the poor to make sacrifices for patriotism or to not take advatage of their own? It is no wonder that the notions of service so instilled in the military, Peace Corps and professions such as social work, medicine and law are a foreign concept here. A reason why I feel so alienated as my reasons for being here are not understood. The do-gooder in me takes a beating from Mr. Sionil because 1. I didn't grow up poor 2.I am not poor 3. I have a way out anytime I want.
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