Jose Rizal’s “lampara” was shining tonight on the eve of the hero’s 159th birth anniversary as a tribute to the son of Laguna’s shining example as a heroic Filipino youth whose legacy includes various art forms.
Jose Rizal, the Filipino nationalist and polymath martyred during the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines, was known for writing the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo that sparked the revolution.
The giant lamp that was first lit 18 years ago by the Tutupad Ka Patriots (TKP) group led by Engr. Joey Mosqueda Jr. again burst into flames as youth from Laguna gathered at the annual symbolic lighting held this year at the Laguna de Bay front of Brgy. Mamatid Cabuyao and Brgy. Uwisan in Calamba, Rizal’s hometown.
The “lampara” that was stored at the Jose Rizal Memorial School was brought out for the ceremonial lighting that also marked the first time the groups of TKP and the newly-established Kilusang Kreatives came together since the community quarantine was enforced to stop the spread of coronavirus disease.
The symbolic lighting also had Kilusang Kreatives leaders Earl Pacla and Thea Escauriasa leading the launch of the Nationwide Youth Artwork Competition, inspired by Jose Rizal who studied at the Ateneo and the University of Santo Tomas and also created drawings, paintings, and sculptures.
The event also launched Kilusang Pagbabago Pagkakaisa Inc. led by Bgy. Captain Nestor Cabrera of Bgy. Uwisan together with his SK Chairman Gibson Aldave and the different sectors of both Brgy. Uwisan and Brgy. Mamatid Cabuyao.
The ceremony, dedicated to both Jose Rizal and the frontliners in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, had 7-year-old Kristoff Romano Mosqueda lead the lighting of the lamp while declaring, “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang mga frontliners! Mabuhay ang kaarawan ni Gat Jose Rizal!”
Organizer Joey Mosqueda spoke at the event, saying it was staged “to give emphasis that patriotism means for the good of the many, as simple as that when you do this ‘Mahal mo ang Inang Bayan'”. He also encouraged youth to follow the lead of Gat Dr. Jose Rizal.
Good News Pilipinas is a media partner of the Nationwide Youth Artwork Competition that will run until December 6, 2020. Interested participants can check out the details here.
Jose Rizal is also the inspiration for the annual Spoken Word Poetry Contest held in Calamba.
SEND CHEERS to the people behind the Jose Rizal “lampara” symbolic lighting and the Nationwide Youth Artwork Competition for promoting activities for the Filipino youth to showcase their excellence!
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