Dr. Rizal Photo Exhibit, Osaka 2013

Transcription

1 Dr. Rizal Photo Exhibit, Osaka 2013 Dr. Rizal 100th Anniversary by Dr. David Itokazu 1 of 14

2 Introduction More than a quarter of a century ago, in the cold winter night in December 1982 I was driving along the Broadway Westside area of Manhattan, NYC. It was snowing moderately, and despite the cold and snowy weather, I saw a long line of people waiting for a movie house to open. Although it is not uncommon to see people fall in line in New York City Broadway theaters and movie houses, I was curious to find out the title of the new movie. It was Gandhi, the movie, a biography of Mohandas Gandhi. That very moment I thought of Dr. Rizal, the Philippine National Hero. In 1982, Rizal s 100th year death anniversary was 14 years hence; and the Philippine Centennial Celebration (Independence) is 16 years later, in 1996 and 1998, respectively. 2 of 14

3 Background I read Mohandas Mahatma Gandhi s great philosophy of ahimsa (non-violence) and his valuable social and political contributions to India 10 years prior to the movie. I thought the movie was a timely way to make an excellent public relation for India when the image of Indian workers in North America (including Canada) was at the lowest ebb. At that time, Indians were discriminated for their inability to follow simple working dress code. One such example is the wearing of a turban. Indians were also criticized for their mediocrity in their works that was quite untrue. The criticism was the norm to most new immigrants at that time. However, Gandhi the Movie, directed by Richard Attenborough not only changed the negative image of Indians across North America, but it opened the minds of the people of the world of the luxuriant and prolific ancient civilization of India. 3 of 14

4 Background (con't) The following year, Gandhi won 9 Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, etc.). The Movie awarded The Motion Picture of a Lifetime. On top of this, Gandhi, the man was conferred a posthumous title of The 100 Most Important People of the Century by TIME Magazine for his philosophy of nonviolence and his passion for independence At the turn of the 19th century, there were three recognized outstanding leaders in Asia. They re Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, ( ), the physician-turned nationalist, and recognized by Chinese as their country's modern founder of democracy. Mohandas Gandhi ( ), a lawyer-turned nationalist, and Dr. Jose Rizal ( ), a physician-turned-novelist and nationalist. All three were born within the decade of the 1860s. Gandhi lived a full life of 79 years and Sun Yat-sen, 59 years. Rizal lived the shortest life of 35 years. 4 of 14

5 Rizal Photo Exhibit In conjunction with the Philippine Centennial Celebration in 1998, and Dr. Rizal Centennial death anniversary in 1996, I presented a Photo Exhibit, a collection of black and white, mostly century-old photographs of Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. The photo exhibit was open to the public for free. And the exhibit was held in three countries namely, Okinawa, Osaka, Japan; New York City, USA; and Davao City, Philippines. In Okinawa, the photo exhibit took place in three places: Urasoe Civic Hall; Ginowan City Hall Auditorium and Philippine Consulate, Ginowan City. In the Philippines, it was mounted during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meeting, Davao City. In the US, the exhibit was presented in New York City, at the International Toy Center, 5 th Avenue and the basement of the Epiphany Church, located in Midtown, East Manhattan. 5 of 14

6 I guess it s safe to say that Gandhi the movie greatly inspired me to introduce Dr. Rizal, Philippine National Hero to Okinawa, Osaka, the USA, and the world ~ specifically to the leaders of APEC of 21 member nations, in APEC Davao, Philippines. * Surprisingly, the historical link has been made between Rizal and Okinawa. Dr. Rizal is part of the e-book on chapter Icon of Peace. 6 of 14

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8 Jose Rizal Exhibit Caps Independence Day Celebrations in Osaka, Japan Tuesday, 18 June :08 Consulate officials lead Filipino communities during flag ceremony 8 of 14

9 18 June The Philippine Consulate General in Osaka successfully celebrated the 115 th anniversary of Philippine independence by holding an official reception and a Jose Rizal photo exhibit held on June of 14

10 The event began with an outdoor flag-raising ceremony at the Twin 21 MID Plaza, led by the Consulate and the Osaka offices of the Department of Trade in Industry and Department of Tourism, and attended by numerous members of the Filipino communities from Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya, Gifu, Kyoto, and representatives of the Knights of Rizal, Filipino scholars, the Filipino business sector and Filipino artists in Western Japan. The participants all heartfully sang the Lupang Hinirang and recited in unison the Panunumpa sa Watawat. The reception was held at the exclusive 38th floor restaurant of the Panasonic Tower, the building beside the MID Tower which form part of the MID Twin 21 complex where the Consulate is located, graced with a unique bird's eye view of Osaka Castle. The historic Osaka castle as seen from reception venue The reception was attended by representatives of the Japanese local governments, the consular corps, local business and tourism partners, and members of the Filipino communities. Consul General Maria Teresa Taguiang gave the welcome remarks which highlighted Philippine independence, good governance of the Aquino administration and the latest trend of Philippine economic growth. She called on Filipinos in Western Japan to fulfill their role in nation-building by becoming good examples themselves of a world-class Filipino. For his part, Osaka Vice Governor Hiroshi Ueda conveyed a message from Governor Ichiro bnmatsui which congratulated the Philippines on the auspicious occasion. 10 of 14

11 Philippine Consul General Maria Teresa Taguiang welcomes Thai Consul General and concurrent Dean of the Kasai Consulat Corps. (Middle photo) Welcome remarks from the Consul General. (Right photo) Osaka Vice Governor Hiroshi Ueda congratulates the Philippines on 115th independence day anniversary. 11 of 14

12 After the ceremonial toast with Filipino beer and mango juice, Filipino-Okinawan Professor David Itokazu gave a presentation of his photo exhibit: Rizal and the 21st Century, the Asian Century: Crossroads of History and the Dawning of New Beginning. Located at the lobby of the MID Tower, Dr. Itokazu's photo exhibit was comprised of 75 selected pictures from a larger collection of hundreds that he had passionately and painstakingly put together over a period of 15 years and which he had already mounted on other occasions, most notably on the occasion of the Philippine Centennial in 1998 in the Philippine Center in New York. 12 of 14

13 Filipino-Okinawan Professor David Itokazu presents his photo exhibit on the life of Dr. Jose Rizal As part of the program, two of Jose Rizal's poems were recited with simultaneous Japanese interpretation to the music of the Bolipata brothers' Pelikula album. A PhD scholar from University of the Philippines Los Baños, Ronilo Flores, recited excerpts from Mi Ultimo Adios in Spanish; while a professional singer from Davao, Eric Montre, recited Kundiman in Filipino. 13 of 14

14 Jose Rizal poems are recited and classic and patriotic songs are sung. Filipino songs were performed to close the formal program. The winner of the 2012 Kyoto Utawit Competition, Evangeline Hino, sang the modern Isang Lahi; Eric Montre sang the classics Saan Ka Man and Maalaala Mo Kaya; and Ronilo Flores sang the patriotic Philippines Kong Mahal and Bayan Ko. END 14 of 14