TO commemorate the 156th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Cebu City Public Library opened the Rizaliana Exhibit at the Cebu City Museum yesterday.
At the City Hall, Mayor Tomas Osmeña led the celebration, which included a floral offering at the Rizal monument.
“We look at Rizal as a martyr, we see him as a hero and some people think that’s what we are celebrating. I think what we should know to remember about the importance of Dr. Jose Rizal was not his death; it was his defiance against all odds. A man who stood up against a very powerful establishment, which is the Spanish hierarchy,” Osmeña said.
At the opening of the exhibit, Dr. Warfe Engracia, Knight Grand Officer of Rizal, urged all Filipinos, especially the youth, to strive to continue the legacy of Rizal.
“For me, we have to celebrate the life of our national hero so that our people, our youth, can learn about his aspirations and they can continue what he started,” Engracia said in Bisaya.
Also present during the event were Amando Suzarra Jr., who owns most of the artefacts in the exhibit.
Labella and Osmeña also gave their speech during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Bryner L. Diaz, the museum administrator, said it was the first time that they organized a Rizal-themed exhibit since the City started celebrating the birth anniversary of Rizal. Rigine Clyr L. Arraz, MSU Intern