FOLLOW RIZAL EXAMPLE, VP NOLI URGES YOUTH
April 21, 2008

The life of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal remains one of the most important models that the present generation can extol and follow.

This was stressed last week (April 14) by Vice President Noli “Kabayan” De Castro in his address before the graduating class of Laguna State Polytechnic University in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

According to De Castro, the most important achievement of the late national hero was not the fact that he was a doctor, novelist, botanist, linguist and artist, nor his writings and novels.

“His most important contribution to the nation was the inspiration he gave to us which helped us understand that we have within us the power to succeed and to strive for excellence,” De Castro explained.

During the ceremonies, the state university conferred De Castro a Doctorate of Humanities, honoris causa.

In his response to the award, De Castro noted that the study of humanities is the study of the human condition which every journalist who is deeply involved with his profession actually does.

He said his current work as the country’s housing czar has exposed him to the various facets of the human condition today. He lauded the aspiration of many informal settlers who use the opportunities given to them by the government to better their lives.

He expressed concern, however, that there are informal settlers who would rather remain in their present condition rather than to try to build a new life in a new community that the government and our private sector partners have built for them.

“Rizal addressed the issue of the poverty of the spirit characterized by the lack of hope and absence of self-esteem. By showing us that the Filipino can be as good, or even better, than others in the global stage, Rizal encouraged all of us to achieve and leave the poverty of our spirits behind,” De Castro said.

He said that poverty of spirit is a worse malady than economic poverty.

“The Rizalian spirit is badly needed today as the world faces threats in the areas of food and energy sufficiency. Our country can either surrender to these gigantic challenges, or summon Rizal’s inspiration in order to discover answers and solutions,” he said.

De Castro pointed out that in the face of major adversities including the prospect of death by musketry, Rizal look inside him and came out with excellent answers.

“Let us use this example and spirit and trust ourselves to discover the answers and solutions to the major challenges that the nation is facing to day,” De Castro added.

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