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
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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.
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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
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.
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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
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.
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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
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.
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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
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.
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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
Rizal Photo Exhibit (con't)
http://www.newyourkshortsalesexperts.com
Opening Night December 29, 1996, Lobby of Toy Building, NYC
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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
Rizal Photo Exhibit (con't)
Dr. Jose Rizal (1861-1896)
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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
Rizal Photo Exhibit (con't)
Ribbon-cutting CeremonyAmbassador Milagros Perez, Consul General, Philippine Consulate,
New York, assisted by other dignitaries
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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
Rizal Photo Exhibit (con't)
Dr. Connie Quiambao, Chairperson Luz Micabaloand Fr. Erno Diaz
Organizing Committee
Dr. David Itokazu and Yuko Higa
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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
Rizal Photo Exhibit (con't)
Great great grand nephew and nieces of Dr. Jose Rizal Rosario,Raquel and Rafael with Dr. Itokazu
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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
Rizal Photo Exhibit (con't)
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.
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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
Rizal Photo Exhibit (con't)
Viewing of Rizal Photo ExhibitIt took 30-45 minutes to finish the entire exhibit.
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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
Rizal Photo Exhibit (con't)
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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
Rizal Photo Exhibit (con't)
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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
Rizal Photo Exhibit (con't)
Ambassador Milagros Perez
Speeches, Traditional Songs and Dances
Christine Bader, Deputy Asst. NYC Mayor’s Office
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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
Rizal Photo Exhibit (con't)
Dr. Itokazu, Exhibit Director
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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
Rizal Photo Exhibit (con't)