The municipal government of Angono is enjoining everyone to emulate the characteristics of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Speaking before the municipal government employees and guests during the flag raising ceremony at the municipal grounds, Municipal Administrator Clodualdo  “Alan” Maniaol, who represented Vice Mayor Gerardo Calderon who is also the Supreme Commander of the Knights of Rizal, (KOR), said the national hero’s traits are worthy of emulating. Maniaol said Calderon, through the KOR, is advocating that “Rizalism,” the collective traits of Dr. Rizal, be adopted as the country’s national identity. The municipal administrator, who is also a chapter leader of the KOR,  said the group that was created by Republic Act 646, or “An act to convert the “Orden De Caballeros De Rizal” into a public corporation to be known in English as “Knights of Rizal” and in Spanish as “Orden De Caballeros De Rizal,” and to define its purposes and powers,”  is also pushing for amendments to the law that was approved in 1951. Officers of the KOR offered flowers at the foot of the monument of Dr. Rizal as part of the annual tradition of the group during the hero’s birth and death anniversary. Maniaol said among the traits of Rizal worthy of emulating are his love for God, purity and idealism, noble conduct, love of fellowmen, love of parents, charity, love of country, courage, will power, honesty, devotion to truth, self-sacrifice, fortitude, serenity, self- control, initiative, tolerance, prudence, obedience, courtesy and politeness, thrift, gratitude, love for justice, and living by example. Coinciding with the event in Angono, Vice Mayor Calderon led similar activities to honor Rizal in Luneta and in Intramuros. Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna. (Courtesy of Vice Mayor Calderon)