JOSE Rizal is not a “stand-alone hero” because he belongs to a generation of heroes, said Rizal descendant and 1964 Miss International Gemma Cruz-Araneta at the opening of History week last Sept. 15.
“Whenever they introduce me as the great grand-niece of Jose Rizal, I always say that I am not the only descendant of the national hero. I believe that all of us have relatives who were in those days, heroes,” Cruz said.
With the theme “Kasaysayan: Pag-aalala sa Nakaraan, Pagsulong sa Kinabukasan,” the celebration ran until Sept. 21.
History Department Chairman Augusto de Viana said Rizal was a farmer and a trader. He had a poultry farm and organized farmers to sell their products at a higher price.
The College of Commerce and Business Administration, meanwhile, mounted an exhibit coinciding with its college week.
In the section “Branding Rizal,” Rizal was presented in products like cement, safety matches, colas, and shoes. Other sections in the exhibit were “Historical Rizal” and “Rizal as a Businessman.”
A conference on how history should be taught was held at the main office of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
In addition, a fun run dubbed “Rock Rizal, Run Rizal” that started from the Roxas Boulevard to the Mall of Asia was joined by over a thousand runners.
The proceeds of the fun run would be used for the maintenance of Rizal shrines in Calamba, Fort Santiago, and Dapitan. Bernadette D. Nicolas
