If Rizal were alive today, it is not farfetched that he would be in media.
I would imagine him writing stinging commentaries on the corrupt politicians and self-righteous civil society leaders the way he took on the hypocritical friars and cocky and incompetent Spanish colonial officers in his Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
I would imagine him an advocate of protecting our environment. As noted by an environmental organization EcoWaste Coalition, during his exile in Dapitan, Rizal did various projects such as the construction of an aqueduct that provided people with clean water, draining of swamps to avoid being breeding places of mosquitoes, use of coconut oil lamps to light up streets, beautification of the town plaza, and planting of trees in different parts of the town.
I would imagine him also writing about our state of education because the importance he puts in education was best expressed in his support for the women of Malolos who defied the wrath of Malolos parish priest Fr. Felipe Garcia, who forbade them to attend night school to study Spanish.
“Ignorance is bondage, because like mind, like man. A man without will of his own is a man without personality. The blind who follows other’s opinion is like a beast led by a halter,” he wrote from London on Feb. 22, 1889.
He also supported the empowerment of women. “ It is no longer the highest wisdom to bow the head to every unjust order, the highest goodness to smile at an insult, to seek solace in humble tear,” he wrote.
He said what they were doing was right:”You have discovered that it is not goodness to be too obedient to every desire and request of those who pose as little gods, but to obey what is reasonable and just, because blind obedience is the origin of crooked orders and in this case both parties sin.”
If Rizal were a member of Philippine media today, it would be interesting what he would have to say about television, the most influential medium today, and the fast expanding internet-based media.
Last year as part of the commemoration of the 150th Rizal birth anniversary, National Artist for Literature Frankie Sionil Jose organized a conference on Nation and Culture at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
One of the speakers was the very talented Lourd de Veyra of TV5.
In his paper, “Portrait of the Broadcaster as dancing Bear,” De Veyra said, “Whereas before, all media needed was to deliver the Five Ws (the joke: who, where, why, when, and what- the- fuck?) and one H (“holy shit!), and consequently shape public opinion, now it does more. Its mission also seems to extend into the realms of myth-making.”
He said in the name of “public service”, TV anchors are seen in waist- deep flood, rescue workers wearing station logo and helping stranded residents off the roof of submerged houses in Pampanga and Bulacan.
“On billboards, male newscasters are photographed wearing flak jackets and SWAT vests, posing as if ready for duty in Afghanistan. Female anchors, on the other hand, are portrayed as caring and nurturing, shot with soft-focus lenses and props like babies as well as the infirm and the elderly, like Mother Teresa with lots of designer cosmetics. In a nation that lives under the tyranny of images, such iconography is crucial,”de Veyra said.
Media has also taken the role of judge, jury and executioner, he said. “There is something truly exhilarating and empowering in the sight of an abusive police officer being verbally abused by a ‘crusading’ broadcaster. If it’s not a police officer, it’s a barangay official or some unprepared low-level bureaucrat who suddenly finds himself on the nasty end of an ambush interview. It’s not who’s right but more of who speaks louder and who’s got the microphone and the camera.”
De Veyra further said, “In this day and age of interactivity, both in and out of social media, television attempts to present itself as a platform for social media. But at what cost? To what ends? It is within these contexts that many broadcasters enjoy frightful degrees of public adoration, oftentimes translating into public office.”
De Veyra said it is something to be concerned about: “And that is actually scarier and more surreal than the sight of teenage vampires and eggs that can talk.”
He asked the unthinkable today: “What happens when you turn off the TV?”
If Dr. Jose Rizal were alive today, will he be taken seriously by the people as they are today? Will he last in his ideals and principles without being tempted in the current political state? or will he be again among the journalist victims of extra judicial justice which the Phil is quite very well known?
An advocate of his kind has to be steadfast and rock solid not to be weakened by any outside influences…such individual as Dr. David Suzuki been doing all his life… an environmentalist, journalist, tv host and solid as a rock with his advocacies…he never waver..of Course, Dr. Jose Rizal much more than Proved Himself during his Time with his singular courage and certainty of Fate. You will never find another individual today or in his time.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again… Lourd de Veyra has depth.
#2 Marl, I agree. His ability to communicate it so interestingly speaks a lot of talent and depth.
Just like Professional Heckler.
“If Rizal were a member of Philippine media today, it would be interesting what he would have to say about television, the most influential medium today, and the fast expanding internet-based media.”
I rather suspect we would read his blogs and seldom see him o television, unless he reached the level of influence to get on BBC or CNN. He was an applied idealist with the courage of his convictions. TV fare would bore him immensely; internet would fascinate him, and he would work within its influential expanse. I am quite certain he would be more than pointed about the failings of government to free women from ignorance about family planning whilst holding them in bondage to abusive or deadbeat husbands.
#4. I am quite certain he would be more than pointed about the failings of government to free women from ignorance about family planning whilst holding them in bondage to abusive or deadbeat husbands.
Most interesting… 🙂
“De Veyra further said, “In this day and age of interactivity, both in and out of social media, television attempts to present itself as a platform for social media. But at what cost? To what ends? It is …”
But at what cost? At all cost.
To what ends? For profit! It is to make money at all cost.
There is nothing novel in this. If anything, the media or the people who run it, if you like, are more ruthless than ever before.
Television is a product of affluence and technology. In a modern society there is no turning it off. It is always renewing and formidable. It is silly to ask the question, what happens, if its turned off.
There are many “Rizals” today. People just don’t or simply refuse to see them. Even Jose Rizal during his time was invisible to many. He has become a myth, a saint of some sort in some circles. People always look for someone to honor to save themselves from their own shortcomings.
Dr. Jose Rizal would make for a lousy media person. From what is written about him, he would not survive in such a profession today – he is just too principled for his own good.
#6 Dr. Jose Rizal would make for a lousy media person. From what is written about him, he would not survive in such a profession today – he is just too principled for his own good.-Amba
Then we need more people like him in media.
It would take many generations to have another DR.JPRizal in the Philippines, or will there be another like him, to really know what he was fighting, for the rightful-general perspective of the nation, as “Pearl of the Orient”. He was a visionary, that his mind or thoughts traveled hundred of years. His wisdom and knowledge were from A-to-Z of the alphabets. Would Dr. Rizal did not die, and took the place of E. Aguinaldo or Manuel Quezon,as President, the country had been the great nation in Asia, greater than Japan, Singapore and the rest because he had already knew the “problems,the solutions” for the peoples and the Philippine governance. His leadership would became the Icon of many leaders of the world..My food for thought.
If Rizal were alive today, he would have lost most of his influence. Time and old age has a way of diminishing a public figure’s stature. The then much-adored, well revered Emilio Aguinaldo may have escaped the level of controversy being attached to his name now had he died much much earlier.
With all due respect for all his contributions to our sense of nationhood, he would not have been as glorified as he is now, if not for the Bagumbayan murder.
If Rizal were alive today:
– He would be maintaining 2 Facebook accounts – 1 for his girlfriends and 1 for his fans.
– He will tweet in 6 languages.
– He will be perpetually facing paternity suits.
– He will be writing about his foreign trips in a travel blog.
– He will write a novel in Chinese language about Scarborough Shoal. Later, he will be arrested by China and exiled in a Chinese garrison in an occupied island in Spratlys.
– He will write a poem (in Chinese) entitled “My Last Farewell, redux”.
– He will be sentenced to firing squad in Bagumbayan (Luneta) inside a tourist bus and shot at by Mayor Lim’s SWAT team. Rizal will survive with a minor scratch.
– He will do a TV talk show with Lourd de Veyra focusing on his advocacies, such as the RH bill, Marijuana Legalization, Gay rights, etc.
– He will denounce Freemasonry and return to Catholicism.
– He will continue to write novels and die of AIDS after inhaling bath salt then eating a live human being.
– He will be cremated not buried because Carlos Celdran says so.
#11. Hahahaha! Matinding gumana ang by-pass mo, Tongue. 🙂
If Dr. Rizal is alive today and a member of the Media he will surely at one time be upstage by that Revillame and another time by Kris and Boy Abunda and there is the Trio at TV Patrol of the Former VP, Failon and the wife of the Mar Roxas…he would never have a chance with the Tulfo brothers…and even Atty Topacio can do him a number…There are very many principled and idealistic media personalities in the country today…but they get drown by the opposite kind..that is the sad fact…
When one of the Writers, Journalists of theToronto Star was asked what makes the Star stand tall among dailies after more than 100 years in publishing and still the country’s number 1 and the most trusted daily, here is her reply…they all abide by the Atkinson Principles and jokingly added…it is tattoed in our butts…
and let me paste the Atkinson Principles as it is applicable to all Media People…
The Atkinson Principles and the Toronto Star
Our mission is to promote social and economic justice in the tradition of our founder Joseph E. Atkinson.
Throughout his 50 years as publisher of The Toronto Star from 1899 to 1948, Joseph E. Atkinson developed strong views on both the role of a large city newspaper and the editorial principles it should espouse. These values and beliefs now form what are called the Atkinson Principles.
For more than a century, they have provided the intellectual foundation on which The Star has operated and have given the paper its distinctive voice.
On his death, Atkinson was so determined these principles be maintained that he bequeathed all his shares to the charitable foundation that bears his name. He wanted to be certain that the Star would be run by those “familiar with the doctrines and beliefs which I have promoted in the past” and that publication of The Star should be conducted “for the benefit of the public in the continued frank and full dissemination of news and opinions” and in such a manner as to preserve its role as a great “metropolitan newspaper.”
Faced with a provincial statute which prevented the foundation from holding the shares in the newspaper, Mr. Atkinson’s son, Joseph S. Atkinson, and four other senior managers of the newspaper ( Messrs. Campbell, Hindmarsh, Honderich and Thall ) formed Torstar Corporation to purchase the assets of the Toronto Star and formed the Voting Trust to hold their controlling interest. They undertook to observe and promote in the newspaper the values and beliefs that J. E. Atkinson promoted in his lifetime. Torstar and the Voting Trust continue to do so with pride and conviction.
The editorial principles Atkinson espoused were founded on his belief that a progressive newspaper should contribute to the advancement of society through pursuit of social, economic and political reforms. He was particularly concerned about injustice, be it social, economic, political, legal or racial. Fundamental to his philosophy was the belief that the state has the right and duty to act when private initiative fails. While Atkinson’s beliefs were never codified in any set form, the central Principles can be summarized as follows:
1. A strong, united and independent Canada: Atkinson argued for a strong central government and the development of distinctive social, economic and cultural policies appropriate to an independent country.
2. Social Justice: Atkinson was relentless in pressing for social and economic programs to help those less advantaged and showed particular concern for the least advantaged among us.
3. Individual and Civil Liberties: Atkinson always pressed for equal treatment of all citizens under the law, particularly minorities, and was dedicated to the fundamental freedoms of belief, thought, opinion and expression and the freedom of press.
4. Community and Civic Engagement: Atkinson continually advocated the importance of proper city planning, the development of strong communities with their vibrant local fabrics and the active involvement of citizens in civic affairs.
5. The Rights of Working People: The Star was born out of a strike in 1892 and Atkinson was committed to the rights of working people including freedom of association and the safety and dignity of the workplace.
6. The Necessary Role of Government: When Atkinson believed the public need was not met by the private sector and market forces alone, he argued strongly for government intervention.
For more on Atkinson Foundation you may search the subject…thank you all…
If Rizal were alive today, tiyak na bungal na.
If Rizal were alive today, some UP student (maybe professor already) will demand a DNA test, to prove that Hitler is not the son of Rizal.
If Rizal were alive today, he would do a Popo Lotilla; because the national hero for many in his time was Andres Bonifacio.
Many say Rizal’s Noli and Fili inspired the revolution. Come now. How many were literate in the Philippines in his time?
“Many say Rizal’s Noli and Fili inspired the revolution. Come now. How many were literate in the Philippines in his time?”
Eh binabasa yata sa kanila ni lola basyang kaya they do not need to be literate.
The Noli and Fili were written in Spanish.
In 1870, only 2.8% of the population spoke Spanish.
Fourth paragraph of this page.
http://buscoenlaces.es/kaibigankastila/rivera4.html
Mythmaking yan, that Rizal inspired the revolutionaries; their leaders perhaps, but not the foot soldiers.
Then again, maybe the leaders were the Lola Basyangs who read the Noli and Fili to the foot soldiers. That requires some historical documentation though.
Next myth to examine. Ilan ba talaga ang nagbasa, bago yung mythmaking? Was it a bestseller in the Philippines? Was it even available in the Philippines? Walang xerox noon, so you had to have the money to buy some hardbound edition.
Thanks Sax.
#11 – He will denounce Freemasonry and return to Catholicism.
How come?
Ka brod pala ni Nemenzo si Lotilla. So hindi barbarian si Popo. Ayon sa column ni Randy David.
Tama ka, baguneta. Popo is a Pan Xenia fratman. So is Dean Nemenzo. Marami ring bigating miyembro yang Pan Xenia.
Sampol:
-Pres. Elpidio Quirino
-SG Carlos P. Romulo
-PM Cesar Virata
-Sen. Gil Puyat
-Sen. Manny Villar
-Sec. Jimmy Laya
-Min. OD Corpus
-Min. Gerardo Sicat
-CBG. Gregorio Licaros
-Mayor Mel Mathay
-ARMM Gov Al Tillah
-yung pinsan ni Ellen na si Edgar Tordesillas.
# 11 Like.
# 17 Like.
Many say Rizal’s Noli and Fili inspired the revolution. Come now. How many were literate in the Philippines in his time?-SaxnViolins
Noli and Fili were no doubt outstanding novels. But you are right, it’s giving him too much credit to say that those books inspired the revolution.
Si Rizal ay parang si Martin Luther(1483-1546). Pareho nilang kinalaban ang simbahang Katoliko. Paano nila kinalaban? Inihayag nila ang mga hidwang pananampalataya at mga gawa ng simbahang Katoliko.
Nakipag debate si Martin Luther sa simbahang Katoliko noon at natalo ang simbahan. Nahayag sila. Yon ang tinutukoy sa Biblia na nagiba nagiba ang Babilonia (Revelation 18:2).
Pope Leo demanded to Martin Luther retract all his writings against the Catholic church but he refused. Same thing with Rizal. The Catholic church made a deal with him. He was not going to be executed at Bagumbayan if he retracted his writings against the Church which were portrayed in Noli and Fili. Rizal refused! That’s the real reason why Rizal was executed.
Noong panahon ni Martin Luther e mga barok pa ata ang mga tao noon. Wala pang mass media noon at marami ding illiterate noon. Ilang bansa lang ang nakakaintindi ng Ingles noon.
were rizal still alive today, palagay ko he is same as many of us – jobless. imadyin n’yo ‘yung hindi niya alam kung ano ang gusto niyang gawin?
makata. doktor. titser. eskultor. pintor. manunulat. magsasaka.
isa lang ang sigurado ako. kung buhay pa siya hanggang ngayon, hindi na siya makakatayo dahil baka binalda na siya ng kanyang asawa dahil sa pagiging isang bohemyo. sa dami ba naman ng mga tsiks na kanyang halos sabay sabay na minahal.
# 20. “…So hindi barbarian si Popo….”
so, hindi pala magkaka-frat sina popo, conan at genghis khan?
#17 & 23.
akala ko ang inspirasyon ni rizal ay alinman kina leonor rivera at josephine bracken?
taga saan ba si revolution? anak mayaman din ba siya?
pasensiya na po. lagi kasi akong absent kapag philippine history and sabdyek namin, eh.
Magno, hindi siguro jobless si Pepe. Call Center agent malamang sa isang Spanish-speaking account. Pero kung dito siya sa Pinas maga-apply, malamang sabihin sa kanya yung nakakakilabot na salitang “OVERQUALIFIED”.
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Hindi tao yung revolution, ano ka ba? Kotse yon. Kotse!
Hahahahaha. Kayo talaga. Ang tindi nyo.
Tongue, kotse pala ‘yung revolution?
Pasensiya na ngayon ka la’ang nalaman.
di ba ‘yan ‘yung yari ng isang kotse ng Ford?