JessicaRulestheUniverse.com

There are many heroes of the revolution against Spain, but Jose Rizal’s life, character, and writings have made him the preeminent figure in the fight for independence. Today every town plaza has a monument to the national hero.

Our appreciation of Rizal as hero and symbol of national unity is due in large measure to the efforts of another nationalist, the late Senator Claro M. Recto, who incurred the ire of the Roman Catholic hierarchy for proposing that the study of Rizal’s novels be made compulsory in all colleges and universities.

One hundred fifty years after his birth, Rizal continues to be relevant to this generation. His characters Simoun, Ibarra, Maria Clara, Sisa, Dona Victorina, Padre Damaso, Kapitan Tiago and others have etched their presence in the national psyche. With his appreciation of the past, and understanding of contemporary realities, Rizal continues to talk to the ‘hope of the nation’—the generations of Filipino youth who are his natural audience.

In honor of the hero’s birth, more than seventy contemporary Filipino artists including Salingpusa stalwarts Elmer Borlongan, Manny Garibay, Mark Justiniani, Antonio Leano, Neil Manalo, Joy Mallari, Ferdie Montemayor, Jose John Santos III, and Pam Yan-Santos; Leo Abaya, Sandra Fabie-Gfeller, Riel Hilario, Erwin Leano, Lotsu Manes, Andy Orencio, Jim Orencio, Wire Tuazon, Olan Ventura, Manok Ventura, Cris Villanueva; and the younger group of Demetrio de la Cruz, Winner Jumalon, Stephanie Lopez, Leeroy New, Ian Quirante, Elmer Roslin, Kirby Roxas, Jaypee Samson, Jerson Samson, Marina and Rodel Tapaya, Tatong Torres and Cos Zicarelli have come together for CIENTO CINCUENTA, a celebration of Rizal’s life, work, and writings through drawings, sculpture and other media.

The show will open at 3 o’clock in the afternoon tomorrow, Sunday, 16 October 2011, at the Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo City. Writer and cultural worker Gemma Cruz-Araneta will grace the opening, together with art patron Dr. Joven R. Cuanang. A new bust of the national hero by sculptor Salvador Alonday will be unveiled at the Silangan Gardens.

I have a “friend-friend” (and by “friend-friend”, we mean “prospect” in the girl dictionary). His whole family was in town recently. They moved to Australia when they were kids. Weeks before they came to visit he asked me if I could show him around. I was willing and gracious. I even came up with a few suggestions that would make the local tourism industry proud. He announced to a bunch of people that we would be going out.

Then he came and went. If not for his twitter updates I wouldn’t have known he’d been here. I was waiting for him to call me but I haven’t heard anything from him to this day. I don’t know why. Nada. If he was running on a tight schedule and he could not find time to meet me, he should have at least let me know, right? But I was completely ignored. It’s not as if I’m asking for an explanation or an apology. But is courtesy too much to ask for these days?

This November I’ll be in Australia to attend my cousin’s wedding (and yeah…pray I get to see Chris Hemsworth, any of the Saunderses or Justin Coveney). The risk of bumping into “friend-friend” while I’m there, or of him knowing I would be devouring kangaroo steak is very high as his parents are very close to my family, who are also based in Sydney. (The oldies are childhood friends.) How do I conduct myself when this happens? Should I even let him know beforehand that I’m gonna be there?

I usually freak out when total strangers declare their love for me. I become cold and distant, ignore them, and hope they go away. But I’ll give you a chance.

I also feel that you are toying with my emotions. You say that you love me but you also, unabashedly, show keen interest in other men i.e. members of the Philippine Volcanoes and “friend-friend”. Are you just trying to make me jealous so that I will say “I love you” back? Is this going to be a cycle in our relationship?

You can also see your desired rugby players when they come here for games. Just be vigilant for updates. I hear that a number of them will be around in the next few months. Keep your eyes peeled.

You are obviously not over “friend-friend” or you would not be asking for advice from me. It’s like a very cold knife has been thrust into my heart. However, I will not deny you your happiness. I will let you go. As Mariah Carey wisely said: “Now I understand to hold you I must open up my hands and watch you rise”. Is this what you really want?

The fact that he did not make contact with you when he was here can be a sign that he is not interested in you (How could you? You were seeing someone behind my back?). Do not lose heart for there is still hope (I can’t believe I’m letting you go). You can still test the waters by sending out a generic tweet that you are excited to go to Australia for your cousin’s wedding.

Do not, and I repeat, do not direct this tweet at him. Let him take the bait. If he does, do not mention that you felt he was rude when he did not contact you while he was here. You will come off as needy, clingy and possessive. Do not make any hints that you want him to see you there. Remember, he had the chance to see you and he blew it. He has to adjust to your schedule when you are there. But if he will not take the bait, you may lower your hopes and feel free to be crushed (I will be around to comfort you, your rebound man/woman).

In the event that you bump into him in Australia, be pleasant and friendly. Do not bring up the fact that he snubbed you. Say “Hello” and chat for a while then move on to the other guests. I am sure there will be other prospects there (I feel another painful twinge in my heart because you will be moving farther away from me). If you are still interested in him by then, let him be the one to try to catch you in a conversation. If he asks you out (Nooooh!), tell him your schedule and let him adjust to it. If he does not ask you out (Again, do not hint that you want to ask him out) it’s the end. Come back to me or flirt with the other attractive guests.