The Varsitarian

July 7, 10:54 p.m. - A THREE-DAY academic conference in line with Jose Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary opened earlier today at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex, where his contributions in history and literature were discussed.

Echoing his presentation during the discurso de apertura (opening lecture), UST archivist Regalado Trota-Jose presented visuals of some UST archival documents, such as Rizal’s grades.

Professor Ramon Roda discussed the topic “Revisiting Rizal,” showing photos of his personal travels internationally, in connection with his research on the national hero.

Roda also discussed some alternative methods in teaching the Rizal Course like utilizing available technology for presentations containing photographs, audio, and video.

National artists for literature and former Varsitarian editors Bienvenido Lumbera and F. Sionil Jose discussed Rizal's contribution to Philippine literature and his literary thought.

During the forum attended by representatives from different universities, Sionil Jose said literature was the greatest influence of Rizal, and the poem Mi Ultimo Adios was Rizal’s literary heritage.

“Literature teaches us Ethics,” Sionil Jose said. “Literature lasts [longer] than facts which continue to develop then change. Rizal knew this, that is why he wrote a lot of creative writings.”

The conference organized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines had the general theme, “Rizal: Malay, Diwa, Puso at Buhay.”

Ateneo de Manila University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba are the next stops of the academic conference tomorrow and on Saturday, respectively. Jonah Mary T. Mutuc