By the time a Filipino student reaches college, he’s been swamped with Rizal minutiae. But I didn’t realize Rizal could be so uplifting, so inspiring, until I watched Rizal ATBP.
No, Rizal wasn’t Spiderman, but then again, he wasn’t a fictional character. Foregoing a life of assured comfort and ease and, instead, taking up his vast arsenal of artistry, genius, and skill with one intent: to fight for a fledging country and ultimately to give up his life in the process– if that isn’t superheroic, then I don’t know what is.
Because Rizal didn’t have to do what he did. Poised on the highway toward a successful life–the way the world defines success — why go through the hassle of trying to fix the system of governance in your country when it means making enemies with all the major authorities and power-wielders of your day? Why didn’t Rizal just sit back and let others do the fighting?
It was because there was something that Rizal saw: the flame! He saw something bigger than just the moth.
The flame is completely irresistible to those who really want to live! It’s a Y.O.L.O (You Only Live Once) world, as the youth would say. And if one is to die, why not choose to die in fiery triumph than just be extinguished? That’s what made the difference. He chose not to be an ordinary Juan. He chose to be an extraordinary Jose.
And we, too, can choose. Ordinary Juan versus extraordinary Jose. Which one do we want to be?
And that’s what makes Rizal ATPB so poignant, so moving. It makes us re-examine the me inside.
Come Oct. 24-25, revisit the man of the flame. Because Rizal ATBP is really about you.
Be the next firewalker of your century. (Ray Parreñas Jr.)
