A LETTER TO YOU

Dear Dr. Jose Rizal,

In the little over twenty years I’ve been in this chaotic world, it was just a few years ago that I’ve known some facts about you. Though December 30 has been renowned as the day you bid farewell to the world, most of my age may have forgotten about it since the world is changing little by little. Because I am but a foolish descendant, I could never fathom the depths of your greatness. But in memory of the good things you’ve done for us, this letter is the one thing I’ll offer to you.

Dr. Jose Rizal, you were the hope of the Filipinos in the times that you reign. With your intelligence and nationalism, you caused the changes in our country. With your influence, you moved the entire nation. You became the reason to awaken the sleeping nationalism and patriotism of our kind. You are just that amazing and for those effort, I thank you from the deepest recesses of my heart.

“I do not write for this generation. I am writing for other ages. If this could read me, they would burn my books, the work of my whole life. On the other hand, the generation which interprets these writings will be an educated generation; they will understand me and say: 'Not all were asleep in the nighttime of our grandparents.'”
- Jose Rizal

Philippines today is what it is now because of the sacrifices you’ve made. Though we’re plunge into chaos at the moment, the freedom and rights we have right now is irreplaceable. Life is short. But we can give meaning to it. And you taught that to us. The unparalleled loyalty and patriotism you’ve shown to our country are the torch that lights our way. The world may be darker today and surely it will not be long when our country falls into that abyss. When that time comes, your guiding principle will surely help us. The change we will cause in the near future will be for the good of the fellowmen, our friends and family, and for the betterment of the country. We may not need to die to achieve those things like the other men in your times, but we will surely offer our life to search for other means to achieve these long-term dreams in our own way.

Rest assured that the freedom you strived and fought so hard to achieve will never be put in vain. May you watch over us, inspire us, and enlighten us to the path that we will be taking onwards. You are the testament of the Philippine's history. A worthy hero of all times.

“As God has not made anything useless in this world, as all beings fulfill obligations or a role in the sublime drama of Creation, I cannot exempt from this duty, and small though it be, I too have a mission to fill, as for example: alleviating the sufferings of my fellowmen.”
- Jose Rizal

I may not have written this in our own language, but I still hope that it will reach the hearts of our fellowmen.

Very sincerely yours,
A Striving Filipina

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P.S.: I've also written a poem for Dr. Jose Rizal before in this link.

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