Handuraw Festival

The sweet taste of independence, the frigid touch of winds in June skies, solemn traces of blood, debauchery, and despotism, these were the snapshots of life before and after imperialism.

Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda and the unifying effects of his martyrdom paved the Philippine streets for the youth of today. Vindictiveness and subjugation completely effaced and terror wiped in the faces of those who suffered the darkest days of the country.

In his pursuit to hoist and heave the quintessence of nationalism, Rizal trudged through hardship, risk and hubbub of standpoints fought between native settlers and foreign dwellers who saw the need to show tyranny towards the blameless Filipinos who only wanted to live in equal peace. Days of regular killings are through and nations are now in quota effort to striving for global peace, interdependence and global comradeship. In juxtaposition to what is collectively aspired and to reminisce the days of Rizal's émigré in the local city of Dapitan, the Shrine city in mutual aid with the National Historical Institute, Jose Rizal Memorial State College System, the Czech Republic and other concerned agencies has made the first celebrated "Handuraw".

"Handuraw" the grandest Rizal-inspired gala affair of the year, a Cebuano term evoking a "flashback", was partaken by numerous enthusiasts both within the dominion of the province of Zamboanga del Norte and even in the network places of the country. Czech Republic Ambassador Jaroslav Ludva, in receipt of the friendship between Dr. Rizal and Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, arrived to collaborate with the Philippines in recognizing the life and deeds of the greatest brown skinned-man who more than justified the fact that the Orientals as much as the Occidentals, can excel in any field they wish to propagate. The first day of the Festival which slated on the 28th of December commenced with an ecclesiastical mass with which was followed by the parade, 3-day painting, Rizal look alike contest, Panagtagbo sa Kabataan and concluded by the "Mutya sa Handuraw" which was the focal event of the day. Impressions appeared to be in fleet and were favorable. On the second day, Exhibit and Launching of the book "The Dapitan Letters of Dr. Jose Rizal" were superintended and tagged with the initiation of the Order of the Knights of Rizal showcasing the chivalry of brotherhood between the racial brethrens of Rizal and on day 3 was the superb display of extravagant floats and the fluvial parade. Invitational dance showdown occupied the city plaza and painting displays manifested that Rizal's geniuses live on through the veins of Filipinos generation by generation.

The "Handuraw" is not just a commemoration, it's something that educates, something that reminds us that Rizal was never away from his people, he was with us and he will always will.