HEROIC LEADERSHIP

HEROIC LEADERSHIP Rizal defined his life and leadership in "Ultimo Adios," his final poem safely tucked inside the alcohol burner that he gave to his sister Trinidad, the day before his execution. In the poem, he remembered the distant past, his childhood, his friends, his family, and everything that motivated his actions and finally brought him to this destiny. He recalled the incident that led him to dedicate his life and work to his country, and to his early dreams of a happy and free Philippines. His thoughts were drawn to his countrymen who were fighting a losing battle, a revolution he had condemned. They, too, were willingly sacrificing their lives for their country and these sacrifice for the country would not be in vain. From his country and people he wanted no monument but only a simple remembrance, a prayer for his repose. Once more Rizal recalled how he worked to arouse among his people the desire to improve themselves, how he stirred them into action to unite and to plan among themselves so that they could effectively work for reforms. He thought of the idea and principles he had written which he was now bequeathing to his people. Faith, he remembered, inspired and impelled him to take on the self-imposed mission of working for his country's redemption, faith in his fellowmen, faith in his country, faith that someday freedom, progress, and prosperity would be theirs to enjoy. He was bequeathing this sense of faith to his people. He wanted them to have faith in themselves, faith in their country, faith in their future. He wanted this message relayed from generation to generation:
Land that I love – farewell O Land the sun loves!
Pearl in the sea of the orient: Eden lost to your brood!
Gaily go I to present you this hapless hopeless life; were it more brilliant, had it more freshness, more bloom still for you would I give it – would give it for your good.
In barricades embattled, fighting with delirium, other donate you their lives without