The Problem: It's What The Country's Name Represents

The republic should honor one of its own. Yes, it's time to put the country's foreign name into the history books. 

When I think of my home country and its beautiful people-- intelligent, kind, jovial, deeply spiritual, I'm reminded that the nation's new name ought to be of the people and for the people. 

Whenever the existing country's name is mentioned, one's brain imagines a kingly foreigner standing over a vanquished people. 

Jose Rizal Online recognizes that the honorable and practical change to the country's name will awaken the fervor of the Filipino citizen by reflecting the true nature of the islands and its citizens.

It's awkward to hear a name that represents conquest and subjugation. For example, when The Best Fighter In The Universe defeats an opponent, the opponent's camp does not rename itself after Pacman The Conqueror. The identity of the vanquished remains intact, its essence whole, albeit roughed up, di ba? 

 

If his own country wants to pay tribute to King Philip II, we can applaud the effort. 

For now, the colonialists have left the islands. So the people are free to reclaim its true identity and march forward, with pride.

The Pope: A Meaningful Conversation With The Filipino Citizen

In this age of technology and information, those of us who are "the people," find ourselves blessed with the ability to impact change without any wealth. 

The downtrodden Filipino citizen is poor yet intellectually advanced.  But its collective intelligence finds few-- and many times, no-- opportunities; the nation is unable to realize its potential even as other countries benefit from its talents. Often, finding employment means leaving family behind to work as servants overseas. If you're lucky. 

There is good news: in 2009, 72 million Filipinos were wired. Likely millions more have access to technology today. 

Technology is why the average citizen, the individual is key to rising from the ashes of five centuries. The poor  Filipino citizen can do more for the people and the country than perhaps all the leaders the islands have seen in 500 years.

Even in our digital world, of equal importance, in order for the sun to shine its magnificence on the Filipino citizen, is the Catholic church. 

The Filipino citizen has the deepest reverence for the teachings of the Catholic church, which tends to be the most important  factor in the lives of millions. It is the one blessing that shines on the poor citizen-- and offers an existing infrastructure whose untapped impact can help pave the way for meaningful social and economic progress. More on this developing topic in subsequent blogs.

First, something has to happen. 

The Pope must visit the islands to deliver-- in a sentence or two-- an acknowledgement of the abuse the Filipinos suffered from the colonialists who represented the Catholic church. Perhaps even offer an apology.

This symbolic visit and gesture would then be followed with a pep talk to inspire the Filipinos, as individuals and as a nation. The Pope's message would have a beautiful, loving global impact. A nurturing of the soul-- of all souls! 

If the church aims to inspire, the Pope's visit and communication would be a very big step toward revitalizing the Filipino citizen's quest for a life of dignity and prosperity. A sentence or two would reset history's course for a people looking for inspiration. The positive impact would be miraculous.

It would be a powerful major step toward fulfilling The Promise of Jose Rizal Online by 2020.

Our Divine Obligation: Defending Human Rights

With the historic development in Pakistan this week in the global fight against terrorism, many of us have had a reason to look inward, to look at our own sense of right and wrong.

Every person on our planet deserves to live in peace and security, to enjoy the human rights that are part of the universe's natural order.

The terrorists' cruelty wants to diminish the liberties we enjoy, robbing us of our natural rights. When we travel, we are now forced to endure intrusive searches. Fear and uncertainty consume our energy and time.

And so many have lost their lives.

The mechanisms for the US Navy SEALs' courageous mission were initiated long ago by its very subject. America did not choose the event in Abbottabad. 

Rather, it is part of the terrorist lifeline. A destructive threat that seeks to wipe out life is contrary to the laws of the universe. 

It is our divine obligation to defend our human rights and freedom. Human dignity does not take a back seat to atrocities against humanity. 

Really, there is no justice in the global war against terror. A life lost does not bring back the victims.

But this isn't about right or wrong. It's about mankind's divine will to survive. 

The Promise of Jose Rizal Online

Jose Rizal is the national hero of my birth country. Jose Rizal stood for something. 

What makes this site more unique than the many other worthy Jose Rizal websites?

This is dedicated to you. It's about redemption. Your experience and perspective about your life will help us find solutions to old problems. 

 

Filipinos are a people of superior intellect. So the answer to what makes Jose Rizal Online unique belongs to the divine Filipino citizen.

My connection to all Filipino cultures, traditions and people is deeply spiritual. Mighty struggles are a familiar friend to us all. 

 

Regardless, we-- as peaceful, loving individuals-- must also find the inspiration to stand for something. 

 

Together, we will learn many things. 

 

In the process, we can fulfill the promise of Jose Rizal Online:

  The sun will yet shine its magnificence 

on the Filipino citizen, 

the Pearl of the Orient.

Ang Oras Ay Dumating Para Sa Mga Pilipino

Sa tagsibol ay dumating ng isang magandang panahon upang suriin ang mga layunin ni Jose Rizal Online.

Ako ay kumbinsido higit kailanman na ang mga mamamayan ng Filipino ay makahanap ng isang paraan upang ilunsad ang isang sosyo-pulitikal na rebolusyon na nakapagpapabago sa isla sa isang bansa ng mga pangako para sa lahat. Ang isla ay kilala bilang isang bansa na embraces ang indibidwal.

Ang isang bansa na kumikilala sa halaga na mamamayan sa bawat kumakatawan sa kapalaran ng bansa.

Ang buhay ay hindi kailanman madali para sa amin, ang mga karaniwang katutubong. Ngunit ang mga karaniwang tao ay palaging itinutulak na pagbabago kapag kasaysayan itinuturing ito napakahalaga sa order para sa sangkatauhan sa tumaas sa susunod na antas.

Kami ay nakakakita sa drive na ito, ito ang kailangan ng tao upang magsikap para sa isang bagay na mas mahusay.

Baguhin ay dumating sa isla. Ang isang maganda, mapayapa baguhin.

Ang araw ay pa lumiwanag ang kanyang kariktan sa mga mamamayan ng Filipino, ang Pearl Of The Orient. Ang aming republika.

VISION

[1] Baguhin ang opisyal na pangalan ng bansa sa isang Tagalog ang pangalan at tanggalin ang Ingles mga pangalan mula sa heograpiya at mga palitan sa mga pangalan ng Tagalog sa pamamagitan ng 2020.

[2] Alisin ang mga salitang "palasyo"mula sa pangalan ng Pangulo ng paninirahan; permanenteng tanggalin ang lahat katulad na mga pangalan mula sa civic at pampublikong gusali na magpahiwatig ng isang pamumuno sa itaas ng mga tao. Ang aming mga bansa ay isang republika nabuo sa pamamagitan ng mga tao, ng mga tao at sa bayan.

[3] Kilalanin ang susi panlipunan at pang-edukasyon obstacles mukha sa pamamagitan ng mga karaniwang mamamayan Filipino.

[4] Gumawa ng batas ng isang plano-ng-action upang malutas ang bawat isa na kinilala panlipunan at pang-edukasyon balakid sa pamamagitan ng 2020.

[5] Magtatag ng isang permanenteng kapayapaan sa pagitan ng lahat ng mga Pilipino sa loob ng lahat ng mga umiiral na isla at mga hangganan.

[6] Pamahalaan na kilalanin at tanggapin ang pananagutan para sa lahat ng nakalipas at kasalukuyan Human Rights paglabag.

[7] Buwagin at mag-alis ng sandata ang lahat militias. Lahat ng mga kalahok na mag-alis ng sandata at mag-sign isang legal na umiiral na kasunduan sa hindi na muling humawak ng sandata ay mabibigyan ng isang buong amnestiya. Amnestiya ay hindi maprotektahan ang mga indibidwal o organisasyon laban sa kasalukuyan o sa hinaharap sibil lawsuits.

[8] Research, record at bumuhay ng kasaysayan at tradisyon ng aming tahanan lupain bago Espanyol kolonyal ng tuntunin.

[9] Muling palakasin, gamit ang maaabot ng teknolohiya, mayamang kasaysayan ng bansa at ang mga pangalan ng lahat ng mga Pilipino na siyang naghahain para sa pagmamahal sa bayan sa panahon ng Espanyol kolonyal ng tuntunin.

[10] Magtatag sa pambansang kamalayan ang mga pangalan at kontribusyon ng lider na naglingkod sa mga sanhi ng hustisya, pagkakapantay-pantay at karapatang pantao ng at para sa lahat ng mga Pilipino pagkatapos ng 1898.

MISYON

[1] Tiyakin pantay at buong Human Rights para sa lahat ng mga Pilipino.

[2[ Magbigay ng kapangyarihan ang mga mamamayan ng Filipino upang bumuo ng pag-ibig sa sarili, humingi at muling-ipalaganap pambansang pride sa pamamagitan ng pangako at paglilingkod sa iba.

[3]Magbigay ng isang ligtas at pampublikong forum para sa lahat ng mga Pilipino na ibahagi ang pananaw, karanasan at pananaw sa aming mga karaniwang paghahanap para sa pantay at buong Human Rights para sa lahat ng tao na Filipino.

MLK's Timeless "We Shall Overcome" A Daily Inspiration

Our work is not over. Billions of our world's citizens continue to suffer in silence, unacknowledged by its leaders-- even in nations like China, India and the US.

Injustice, prejudice, lies have always accompanied mankind's journey through history and time.

In order to survive, at times it's easier to surrender to the powerful who usurp an individual's dignity.

In our age of transparency, we are seeing dramatic changes.

A year ago, we identified social media as the equalizer that helps the individual reclaim the human rights to which (s)he is entitled. A poor college student now has a powerful voice equal to any billionaire, a general or dictator. 1 to 1. We've seen it in the Middle East.

Yet the battle is not easy. Lives are sacrificed for the cause of justice, freedom and liberty. Families suffer.

But truth has endurance; truth always prevails as part of the natural order of our universe.

MLK's "We Shall Overcome" is my daily bread of inspiration.

I am so thankful for MLK and the countless who are nameless -- including our men and women in the military, who made the ultimate sacrifice so that I can safely exercise my freedom of speech, to pursue my human rights as an individual, just as the Creator intended, without fear.

Abraham Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address Very Relevant In Today's World

Presidents Day is a favorite day for me.

Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address is the guiding light that positioned the United States to emerge as a leader amongst nations after the Civil War. Like all great works, Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address remains relevant for as long as humans are blessed to inhabit the earth.

The address was delivered in Washington, D.C. March 4, 1865.

"At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention, and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself; and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it--all sought to avert it. While the inaugeral [sic] address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war--seeking to dissole [sic] the Union, and divide effects, by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.

One eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union, even by war; while the government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war, the magnitude, or the duration, which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has his own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" If we shall suppose that American Slavery is one of those offences which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South, this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a Living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope--fervently do we pray--that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether."

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan--to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."

SOURCE: http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln%27s_Second_Inaugural_Address