Sunday, March 13, 2011

Remembering General Paciano Rizal


The birthday of General Paciano Rizal may have passed by without the pomp usually accorded to the celebration of the birthday of his brother Jose Rizal, but this I think what fits most for General Paciano. And that is simplicity. For even while still living, he has always chosen to act behind the main stage (as in the case of helping the young Jose Rizal fulfill his academic endeavors aboard by financing his stay there).

It was in this context of simplicity that a program in commemoration of the general was held in his lakeside home in Los Baños-Bayan, Laguna last March 9. This was organized by the Arts Research and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog, Inc. (or ARTIST, Inc.). Entitled Sa Bahay ng Heneral: Pagpupugay kay Heneral Paciano Rizal”, this two-part activity consisted of a workshop for kids in the afternoon. The evening, which was made cozy by the simple set-up and the cold March winds blowing from Laguna de Bay, was spent on theater musical performances.

The three presentations I was able to watch were: 1) “Mahika ni Yaya, a second look into the infamous yaya of Jose Rizal; 2) “Ang Heneral”, a short life story presentation of Paciano Rizal; and 3) “Pepe’s Wall”, a play re-imagining the last days of Rizal set in the era of computer games especially DOTA. There was a last presentation but we were not able to watch it as we had to leave already.

Between these presentations were musical performances of Kalantog (and a group called CLAP although I do not recall them). Ma’am Ricamela Palis was one of the performers who is also from the school where I am currently working. Mr. Edward Perez was the emcee, a known theater director in the Laguna area.

Overall, the program was good especially knowing that some of the descendants of Paciano Rizal were there.

1 comment:

  1. Born on March 9, 1851 Paciano Mercado Rizal y Alonzo was the elder and only brother of Jose Rizal. Paciano studied under Justiniano Aquino Cruz and later at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran under the tutelage of Fr. Jose Burgos one of the Filipino priests who was garroted at Bagumbayan in 1872. Paciano took over the family business when his father became too old to manage it. ln 1882 together with his uncle, he sent his younger brother Jose to continue his studies in Europe. Paciano supported his brother's activities including his involvement in the Propaganda Movement.

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