The 21st century Rizal

I would have to attribute my admiration for Jose Rizal to the JPRizal class I had back in college. The professor was a terror and we had murderous, nose-bleeding, brain-draining, pants-wetting recitations during every single class. But I love it. The professor and the class made me love Rizal in a way that I never did when in grade school. It is when the different facets shine so gloriously that each facet is almost a jewel itself.

In celebration of 150 years since Rizal was born, I just thought of what Rizal could be, if he were alive in the 21st century. Some of these are inspired by tweets and fb posts by people who also admire the Hero:

1. Rizal would have been a blogger
He is a prolific writer and a fierce critic. Definitely the new world of blogging and social media would be a treasure trove for someone like him. Maybe he would even join NaNoWriMo to write his Noli.

2. Microblogging platforms would have frustrated him
I mean, for someone who can write so extensively, the 140-character limit can be utterly frustrating!

3. Rizal would have fought for the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill
Having 10 brothers and sisters, I figure he must realize even the rich with such a family size can never have it easy.

4. His credit card would be HSBC. Sayang ang miles. Hehe.

5. His nickname would have been “JP” or “Joey”.

6. Rizal won’t have a Facebook account. He wouldn’t want his ex-girlfriends networking.

7. Rizal will still NOT finish his medical studies in University of Santo Tomas. There would be no discrimination of Filipinos anymore, but he’ll be asked to write anti-RH blog posts, which he would vehemently refuse. Maybe he’ll transfer to U.P. Manila.

8. Rizal would have had a hundred emails in his inbox daily. He likes correspondence.

9. Rizal vs. Manny Pacquiao in a boxing match: Pambansang Bayani vs. Pambansang Kamao, anyone?

I would probably add some more to this list, once I get to think about it. Hehe. Anything that you can contribute? What do you think he would be doing if he was still alive today?