Noli and Fili at Tribuna

Gus Vibal, publisher of Filipiniana.net, shows the rare copies of “Noli” and “Fili” to Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the 2nd Philippines-Spain Tribune.

The Tribuna Espana-Filipinas that was held last Nov. 27 to 28 at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila was a memorable one for me not only as a team member of Filipiniana.net, but also as a historian. On that day, Gaspar Vibal, founder of Filipiniana.net, exhibited the rare ^st editions of Noli Me Tangere & El Filibusterismo written by our national hero, Jose Rizal. The crowd of both Spaniards and Filipinos were all “oohs” and “ahhs” as they saw the encased, well-guarded books of our national hero. Also one of the visitors who viewed and hold it with pride was none other than her Excellency, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She can’t hide her glee and delight upon seeing the books herself!

There was a short video presentation pertaining to the life and works of Jose Rizal with commentaries of his Spaniard contemporary, notable by Wenceslao Retana, who was once a critic of Rizal turned supporter after he saw the dignity and integrity of Rizal.

One irony of the situation is that the honor guards, UST Golden Corp of Cadets, were guarding the books with dignity and pride. Of course, the irony is that more than a century ago, UST was the same university that ordered the banning and burning of the said novels claiming that it was “heretical and scandalous” to the Spanish regime in the Philippines. More than a century later, they are now guarding it with pride while wearing their bearskin caps, red uniform and golden sash, a fitting honor to the national hero, who was also an alumnus of UST.

Click here to read feature article at Philippine Daily Inquirer