PHL officials mark Rizal Day by honoring Myanmar author 
Filipino officials in Myanmar marked the 115th anniversary of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s martyrdom on December 30 last year by honoring a Myanmar author who wrote a book about Rizal more than 34 years ago.
Philippine officials in Yangon invited to the embassy U Myat Nyein, who wrote the Myanmar-language book “The Philippine National Hero, Dr. Rizal.”
“Ambassador Ma. Hellen Dela Vega presented a Certificate of Appreciation to U Myat Nyein in acknowledgement of his work, which made a presence among the reading public in Myanmar for more than 30 years,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
The DFA said the book was one of the top 10 bestsellers in Myanmar during its first publication in 1977 and its second edition in 2007.I bet Rizal and his preference for change through active non-violence appeals more the Burmese than the use of armed struggle against the repressive regime. The man’s ideas on peaceful movements also fits well into the Buddhist beliefs of majority of the Burmese.
It always fills me with amazement when Rizal’s works are appreciated more in other countries than in his own country. Here in the Philippines, the guy is reviled as pro-Spanish and anti-revolution, while abroad he is viewed as among the pioneers in the struggle against colonialism and oppression. Ironic, isn’t it?
