Celebrating Dr. Jose Rizal's 161st birthday
Photos courtesy of the Philippine Mission in Geneva and Kuluki Ave
Global Filipino by Manila Bulletin Bureau Chief, Ms. MARY GRACE C. YAP; Deputy Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN and other International Organizations, H.E. AMB. MARIA TERESA T. ALMOJUELA; Filipino artist / painter of The Global Filipino Mural, MR. EMMANUEL GARIBAY; Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the WTO, H.E. AMB. MANUEL A. J. TEEHANKEE; H.E. JOCELYN BATOON-GARCIA (ret.); H.E. AMB. URIEL NORMAN R. GARIBAY (ret.)
It is the month of June—a very important month for the Filipino people. It was on the 19th of this month in the year 1861, after more than three centuries of nationhood slumber, that the “pre-destined” (with reference to his later adopted pen name, “Laong Laan”) Philippine hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, was born.
In anticipation of Rizal’s 161st birthday, under the auspices and inspired leadership of permanent representative to the World Trade Organization, Amb. Manuel A. J. Teehankee, and deputy permanent representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations, Amb. Maria Teresa T. Almojuela, a grand painting of Jose Rizal by eminent Filipino artist, Emmanuel “Manny” Garibay, was formally unveiled on May 22, 2022 at the new home of the Philippine Mission on 14-16 Allée Davide-MORSE, Geneva, Switzerland. The Global Filipino mural is now prominently displayed at the lobby of the Chancery above the entrance to the Mabini Hall for the appreciation of the International Community and to serve as an inspiration to the Global Filipinos, for whom the mural was aptly named in dedication.
“You will see in the painting a very central figure, the national hero and martyr of the Philippines, Jose Rizal, who was truly among the first Global Filipinos having travelled extensively throughout Europe and was known for his writings,” says Amb. Teehankee in his welcome address to international guests of honor which included representatives from other diplomatic missions in Geneva, local dignitaries and spouses, and friends.
Indeed, Jose Rizal is truly a “Global Filipino” who embodies the best of the Filipino character, our nobility, including our embrace of the enlightenment ideals, freedom, and human dignity. His ideas resonated far beyond the Philippines,” remarks Amb. Almojuela.
The Global Filipino
In the days of Rizal, to travel the world would mean long days and nights on steamers crossing oceans and aboard trains traversing cities. These days, with the innovation in air transportation (barring any global pandemic that would restrict mobility) the world has become smaller, and global travel more accessible. But stamps on one’s travel documents proving sojourn in several cities across countries, alone, do not make a truly “Global Filipino.” As mere existence is not substantial proof of life, so too is mere presence not proof of being. A Filipino simply traveling the world is just that—a global traveler. To the Global Filipino, there is so much more!
Showcased in Garibay’s masterpiece, the Global Filipino mural, are the characters of Rizal’s seminal work—Noli Me Tangere—that great novel that would light the fire and stoke the flame for the Philippine Revolution of 1896, culminating in the declaration of the Filipinos as a free people and the Philippines as the first Asian Republic on June 12, 1898. As Amb. Almojuela puts it, “this is the weight of Jose Rizal.” In his travels, he brought his genius. He observed and learned more from people and cultures everywhere. But no matter how far his small feet may have wandered, he always had the Philippines in his thoughts. And in his wake, he left giant footprints for others to follow.
The Global Filipino Mural
The eminent Filipino artist, Manny Garibay, known for being a master in capturing the unique narrative of the Philippines, in his representation of the Global Filipino, purposely draws the spectator’s attention to the national hero holding a banana on one hand and a paintbrush on the other.
“I meant it to be a focal point. It can actually be interpreted with some kind of mischief or naughtiness about it. I would say that it is partly intentional, but the whole idea is to really guide or attract the focus on it, as a starting point of the story of colonization when we were what you would call a banana republic under an oppressive rule by a colonial master,” says the artist of his art. “The red on the brush denotes some kind of suggestion on martyrdom or life itself, because he (Rizal) stood for the autonomy not just of the individual, but of our nation,” Garibay explains.
To this, Mr. Jet Olfato of the Permanent Mission adds his interpretation: “It’s us being emancipated from being a “banana republic”. It’s Jose Rizal conquering that image. Instead of him being painted, he is the one painting Damaso. He’s in control.”
The image painted of Rizal in the Global Filipino mural is powerful and explicit that a Guest from the International Community approached the artist with a solid handshake and remarks: “Very nice work, very profound. We immediately understand the values of the Philippines. Congratulations!”
The Philippine Mission in Geneva
At this momentous event in the company of the international community, Amb. Teehankee declares the hope of the Philippine Mission “that the Philippine Center will become a hub for engagement between the Philippines and International Geneva: as a node for seminars, briefings, and meetings on global issues and also as a forum to promote Filipino culture through the future Sentro Rizal which will be housed in one of the rooms the ground floor .”
It is of no small significance that the Philippine Mission unveils this bigger than life image of Rizal as a Global Filipino in international Geneva around this period. Records show that Jose Rizal was actually in Geneva, Switzerland, from June 6 to 20, 1887 and it was here that he celebrated his 26th birthday with his friend Maximo Viola, the first Filipino to read Rizal’s novel, Noli Me Tangere, and who was instrumental in the publication of its first 2000 copies by virtue of a P300 loan he granted Rizal for the purpose.
124 years after the declaration of the Philippine Independence, the mural at the Philippine Mission depicting Jose Rizal as the first of many enlightened Global Filipinos in control of their own story, with a masterful command of the brush to paint meaning into their lives, and to provide inspiration to those who shall witness their truth, is now proudly on display at the new home of the Philippine Chancery.
A toast to the honor of our hero, Jose Rizal, the first of many Global Filipinos; to the honor of the Republic of the Philippines and the continuing journey of our nation and our people; and the excellent ties of the Filipino people with the Global community... Cheers! Mabuhay!
Amb. Almojuella closed the event proposing “a toast to the honor of our national hero, Jose Rizal; to the honor of the Republic of the Philippines and the continuing journey of our nation and our people; and to the excellent ties that the Filipinos enjoy with the global community.”
The office on Allée Davide-Morse houses both the Philippine Mission and Philippine Consulate General, which has jurisdiction over the cantons of Geneva and Vaud, Switzerland.
Emmanuel Garibay is professionally represented by Art Cube with an online presence as artcubephilippines and a gallery located along Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City, Philippines.