Dr. Rizal Photo Exhibit New York City,...

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Dr. Rizal Photo ExhibitNew York City, 1996

by Dr. David ItokazuDr. Rizal 100th Anniversary

2 of [email protected]

Vestiges of the Golden Age of the Ryukyu Kingdom(Present-Day Okinawa)Icon of Peace and Longevity Rediscovered

Dr. Rizal 100th Anniversary by Dr. David Itokazu

Introduction

More than a quarter of a century ago, in the cold winter night in December 1982 I

was driving along the Broadway Westside area of Manhattan, NYC. It was

snowing moderately, and despite the cold and snowy weather, I saw a long line of

people waiting for a movie house to open. Although it is not uncommon to see

people fall in line in New York City Broadway theaters and movie houses, I was

curious to find out the title of the new movie. It was Gandhi, the movie, a

biography of Mohandas Gandhi. That very moment I thought of Dr. Rizal, the

Philippine National Hero.

In 1982, Rizal’s 100th year death anniversary was 14 years hence; and the

Philippine Centennial Celebration (Independence) is 16 years later, in 1996 and

1998, respectively.




Background

I read Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi’s great philosophy of ahimsa (non-violence)

and his valuable social and political contributions to India 10 years prior to the

movie. I thought the movie was a timely way to make an excellent public relation for

India when the image of Indian workers in North America (including Canada) was at

the lowest ebb. At that time, Indians were discriminated for their “inability” to follow

simple working dress code. One such example is the wearing of a turban. Indians

were also criticized for their mediocrity in their works that was quite untrue. The

criticism was the norm to most new immigrants at that time. However, Gandhi the

Movie, directed by Richard Attenborough not only changed the negative image of

Indians across North America, but it opened the minds of the people of the world of

the luxuriant and prolific ancient civilization of India.




Background (con't)

The following year, Gandhi won 9 Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director,

Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, etc.). The Movie awarded “The

Motion Picture of a Lifetime”. On top of this, Gandhi, the man was conferred a

posthumous title of “The 100 Most Important People of the Century” by TIME

Magazine “for his philosophy of nonviolence and his passion for independence…”

At the turn of the 19th century, there were three recognized outstanding leaders in

Asia. They’re Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, (1866 -1925), the physician-turned nationalist, and

recognized by Chinese as their country's modern founder of democracy. Mohandas

Gandhi (1869-1948), a lawyer-turned nationalist, and Dr. Jose Rizal (1861-1896), a

physician-turned-novelist and nationalist. All three were born within the decade of

the 1860s. Gandhi lived a full life of 79 years and Sun Yat-sen, 59 years. Rizal lived

the shortest life of 35 years.




Rizal Photo Exhibit

In conjunction with the Philippine Centennial Celebration in 1998, and Dr. Rizal

Centennial death anniversary in 1996, I presented a Photo Exhibit, a collection of

black and white, mostly century-old photographs of Philippine National Hero, Dr.

Jose Rizal. The photo exhibit was open to the public for free. And the exhibit was

held in three countries namely, Okinawa, Osaka, Japan; New York City, USA; and

Davao City, Philippines. In Okinawa, the photo exhibit took place in three places:

Urasoe Civic Hall; Ginowan City Hall Auditorium and Philippine Consulate,

Ginowan City. In the Philippines, it was mounted during the Asia-Pacific Economic

Cooperation (APEC) Meeting, Davao City. In the US, the exhibit was presented in

New York City, at the International Toy Center, 5th Avenue and the basement of the

Epiphany Church, located in Midtown, East Manhattan.




Rizal Photo Exhibit (con't)

I guess it’s safe to say that Gandhi the movie greatly inspired me to introduce Dr.

Rizal, Philippine National Hero to Okinawa, Osaka, the USA, and the world ~

specifically to the leaders of APEC of 21 member nations, in APEC Davao,

Philippines.

* Surprisingly, the historical link has been made between Rizal and Okinawa.

Dr. Rizal is part of the e-book on chapter Icon of Peace.





http://www.newyourkshortsalesexperts.com

Opening Night December 29, 1996, Lobby of Toy Building, NYC





Dr. Jose Rizal (1861-1896)





Ribbon-cutting CeremonyAmbassador Milagros Perez, Consul General, Philippine Consulate,

New York, assisted by other dignitaries





Dr. Connie Quiambao, Chairperson Luz Micabaloand Fr. Erno Diaz

Organizing Committee

Dr. David Itokazu and Yuko Higa





Great great grand nephew and nieces of Dr. Jose Rizal Rosario,Raquel and Rafael with Dr. Itokazu





At the lobby (next to the elevator) of this beautiful Building is apermanent marker of Dr. Jose Rizal. In 1888, Rizal visited NYC and

stayed in Fifth Avenue Hotel located in this very spot. It was replacedby the existing structure, the Toy International Center building.





Viewing of Rizal Photo ExhibitIt took 30-45 minutes to finish the entire exhibit.





Ambassador Milagros Perez

Speeches, Traditional Songs and Dances

Christine Bader, Deputy Asst. NYC Mayor’s Office





Dr. Itokazu, Exhibit Director

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