THE LIBERTY PRAYER OF 1931 AND THE NATIONAL PRAYER OF 1932

In observance of Philippine Independence Day (June 12), allow me to take you some decades back - 1931 and 1932 to be exact. A time when the words "emancipation," "freedom" and "liberty" were in every Filipino's heart. Today, not much has changed, and we still cry out for emancipation, freedom and liberty not from a foreign master any more, but from domestic tyrants who continue to enslave our nation with its lies, corruption and deceit. Observe, that these 2 prayers look like they were written only recently and not 7 decades ago. For the words and message are still the same words and message our countrymen cry out to God today.

The prayers were written and delivered by my Protestant grandfather, Jorge Bocobo.

THE LIBERTY PRAYER OF 1931

O living God, our Father, may Thy grace ever abound unto our nation. In perfect trust do we seek to know Thy will in our strivings for liberation. Bless Thou every hand that toils and every heart that throbs for freedom. Grant that in the vehemence of our struggles for liberty, no ill-will or hatred may creep into our hearts. Give us to bear our disappointments with charity and long-suffering, confident that Thou, O God of deliverance, will never forsake us Thy people.

We beseech Thee to bestow increasing strength and power upon those who labor for our emancipation, and may those who deny us freedom see the righteousness of our cause.

In the hollow of Thy mighty hand are the destinies of all nations. To Thee we commend our country's future, so that, we pray Thee, it may shine unto the perfect day. We fear no harm or evil under the shadow of Thy wings. Lead our people on the paths of righteousness and of good will towards all men. Let freedom be ours, O Thou giver of every good gift. We thank Thee for manifold blessings in the past. May we be deserving of Thy continued protection today and in the years to come. To Thee we attribute all glory and all power forever and ever. Amen.


THE NATIONAL PRAYER OF 1932

Almighty God, Father of all nations, fountain of all strength and mercy, we, Thy people, come unto Thee in our hour of danger and distress. Hide not Thy face from this nation, we beseech Thee. Do Thou pour out Thy holy comfort upon our afflicted souls. We are Thy people, and Thou art our refuge and deliverer. Of Thy loving-kindness, there is no end.

We entreat Thee, O most gracious Father, stay Thou the hand that would smite our liberties. Send forth Thy Spirit unto our rulers and so touch their hearts and quicken their sense of justice, that we may in honor keep their plighted word to us. Let not the covetous designs of a few interests prevail in the councils, nor sway its noble purposes towards our country.

We pray Thee, O Lord, grant us peace to forgive those who seek to destroy our freedom.

We thank Thee, O heavenly Father, that we can thus pray to Thee. We thank Thee that Thou hast inspired us with a renewed spirit of national unity. Do Thou bless and sanctify our aspirations as a people. Guide us in our endeavours for our emancipation to the end that our every thought and deed may be accepted in Thy sight. And to Thee be all honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

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REMEMBERING LOLO

Today, October 19 is my grandfather's 122nd birth anniversary. Jorge C. Bocobo was born in Gerona, Tarlac of hardy Ilocano parents this day in 1886. He was a man who wore many hats, so to speak, and among them were that of a lay preacher who was instrumental in the building of the Central United Methodist Church along T.M. Kalaw in Ermita, Manila. He was a law professor at the UP College of Law and thereafter became its Dean of the College of Law, and further on became the 5th president of the University of the Philippines. He served under President Manuel L. Quezon's administration as Secretary of Education, was Chairman of the Code Commission which drafted the Civil Code of the Philippines of which he has written most of its statutes. He was a moral crusader, a poet and an essayist, and translaled from Spanish to English Dr. Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. His translations were the unexpurgated versions and thus were censored by the Roman Catholic Church. He wrote many poems and short stories, and among them the first Filipino novel written in English entitled, 'Henry and Loleng.' He served in the Judiciary as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and most of all, he was a patriot who loved his country with a burning passion, and together with that he always looked to the Holy Scriptures as the Living Word of Almighty God. He was a man who lived what he preached. A man who loved the law of the land and the law of God. In Article 19 of the Civil Code, he wrote: "Every person must, in the exercise of his duties, (1) act with justice, (2) give everyone his due, and (3) observe honesty and good faith." This is known to be the golden rule of Philippine laws. Today, many have probably forgotten the man and what he has given to his beloved country. His memory lives on in my heart and in my love for Scriptures the same way he loved it. In the way he loved humanity and how he fought for righteousness and justice, especially for the oppressed. His spirit of patriotism lives on in the hearts of all the brave men and women who dare not bow down to the enemy among us. I salute the man as I toast his contributions to our country.

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TWO PRAYERS FROM THE 1930S

Since we shall once again be commemorating our Independence Day in a few days, allow me to share with you a very rare appearance of two prayers which my grandfather Jorge Bocobo, with his unwavering Protestant faith had written and read in 1931, and the other in 1932 during the Liberty Parades of those years. If you observe and read the prayers carefully, it would seem that these prayers were written only yesterday, for it speaks of the same evils and ills that hound our country today.


THE LIBERTY PRAYER OF 1931

O living God our Father, may Thy grace ever abound unto our nation. In perfect trust do we seek to know Thy will in our strivings for liberation. Bless Thou every hand that toils and every heart that throbs for freedom. Grant that in the vehemence of our struggles for liberty, no ill-will or hatred may creep into our hearts. Give us to bear our disappointments with charity and long-suffering, confident that Thou, O God of deliverance, will never forsake us Thy people.

We beseech Thee to bestow increasing strength and power upon those who labor for our emancipation, and may those who deny us freedom see the righteousness of our cause.

In the hollow of Thy mighty hand are the destinies of all nations. To Thee we commend our country's future, so that, we pray Thee, it may shine unto the perfect day. We fear no harm or evil under the shadow of Thy wings. Lead our people on the paths of righteousness and of goodwill toward all men. Let freedom be ours, O Thou giver of every good gift. We thank Thee for manifold blessings in the past. May we be deserving of Thy continued protection today and in the years to come. To Thee we attribute all glory and all power forever and ever. Amen.


THE NATIONAL PRAYER OF 1932

Almighty God, Father of all nations, fountain of all strength and mercy, we Thy people come unto Thee in the hour of danger and distress. Hide not Thy face from this nation, we beseech Thee. Do Thou pour out Thy holy comfort upon our afflicted souls. We are Thy people, and Thou art our refuge and deliverer. Of Thy loving-kindness, there is no end.

We entreat Thee, O most gracious Father, stay Thou the hand that would smite our liberties. Send forth Thy spirit unto our rulers and so touch their hearts and quicken their sense of justice, so that they may in honor keep their plighted word to us. Let not the covetous designs of a few interests prevail in the councils, nor sway its noble purposes toward our country.

We pray Thee, O Lord, grant us peace to forgive those who seek to destroy our freedom.

We thank Thee, O heavenly Father, that we can thus pray to Thee. We thank Thee that Thou hast inspired us with a renewed spirit of national unity. Do Thou bless and sanctify our aspirations as a people. Guide us in our endeavors for our emancipation to the end that our every thought and deed may be accepted in Thy sight. And to Thee be all honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

(Image from http://en.wikipilipinas.org/)

KA PEPE

FACT. Dr. Jose Rizal was executed by the Spaniards in 1896, buried without a coffin, and exhumed by the Americans in 1898. Most of his remains are interred in Luneta - all except one of his cervical vertebrae which is enshrined like a holy relic in Fort Santiago.

(Image from http://www.admu.edu.ph)

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES - 100 YEARS

Yesterday, January 8 was the 100th year anniversary of the University of the Philippines (UP). My grandfather dedicated most of his public life to the UP. It was his second home, his fountain of knowledge in which many of the chapters of his life story evolved around it. Allow me to post a citation given to him by the same institution many years ago.


THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Know All Men By These Presents:
That the President of the University of the Philippines in conferring the degree of DOCTOR OF LAWS (honoris causa) upon JORGE BOCOBO on the fourteenth of April, nineteen hundred and fifty-three, delivered the following address:

Jorge Bocobo, native of Gerona, Tarlac, jurist, codifier, civilist, legal scholar, educator, moral leader, man of letters, for your outstanding work as Chairman of the present Code Commission of the Philippines, being mainly responsible for the present Civil Code of the country and contributing most of two of the three books of the proposed Code of Crimes; for your brief but distinguished service as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, enriching the jurisprudence of the country with decisions that are landmarks in the field of Civil Law, couched in lucid and elegant language, for the outstanding recognition you have won in the bench, the bar and the legal circles of the United States and Spain as a towering figure in the field of Civil Law; for the able leadership you displayed as Secretary of Public Instruction and President of the University of the Philippines; for your long and fruitful tenure as the first Filipino Dean of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines; establishing therein a standard of scholarship that has long been a challenge to sister legal institutions of this country and a cause for its high repute in university circles abroad; for the literary works that have profusely come from so versatile a mind and from so prolific a pen; for the long, devoted and unselfish service you have rendered your fatherland dating back to almost half a century ago, the University of the Philippines hereby confers upon you the degree of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) with all the privileges thereunto appertaining.
In testimony whereof, you are hereby presented with this diploma and invested with the appropriate regalia of your academic rank.


VIDAL A. TAN
President of the University

Attested:

PATERNO SANTOS
Registrar of the University

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'ARTICLE 19'

"Every person must, in the exercise of his rights and in the performance of his duties, (1) act with justice, (2) give everyone his due, and (3) observe honesty and good faith." - (Jorge C. Bocobo, Article 19, Civil Code of the Philippines) Note: This is the golden rule of Philippine laws.

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A MESSAGE SO OLD YET SO APPROPRIATE TO THIS DAY

"Aristocracy of the intellect is the true aristocracy and is worthy of honor and respect. It should measure success not in terms of lands, houses, automobiles and a large bank account, but by helpfulness to others, by having rendered service to the poor, by having stood for righteousness at any cost. It fights wrong and oppression in every form." - Jorge C. Bocobo (Commencement address, U.P., June 13, 1948)

(L.B. - June 13, 2007)

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REMEMBERING JORGE C. BOCOBO ON HIS 120th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY
October 19, 1886 - July 23, 1965

By Leslie Bocobo
October 19, 2006
Manila Bulletin


"Our faith is firm that when the sun goes down, there shall be no regretting, but we shall look back with a sense of achievement," thus spoke Dean Jorge Bocobo to the College of Law students of the University of the Philippines many years ago. Prophetic were his words, for he left us a legacy of sterling achievements.

He served his country in various capacities for no less than half a century - a clean public record probably only a few Filipinos can equal. He was a scholar, an educator, a lay preacher, a moralist, an author, an essayist, a jurist, a nationalist, and most of all, a Filipino who loved his country so deeply. The greater part of that service was rendered in the University of the Philippines.

He started his public career as a law clerk in the Executive Bureau in 1907. When the UP College of Law was founded in 1911, he was appointed to teach civil law. His appointment came even before his admission to the Philippine Bar. Among his students, four became presidents of the Philippines - Jose P. Laurel, Manuel A. Roxas, Elpidio Quirino and Ferdinand E. Marcos.

When he succeeded George Malcolm as Dean of the College in 1917, he initiated weekly, and later fortnightly assemblies where students discussed the issues of the day and heard inspirational talks by prominent men. Every week he posted on the bulletin board a one-page essay entitled 'monday mentor' which carried his nationalistic sentiments and his exhortations to his students. He promoted the tradition of excellence of the college by raising to '2.75' or better the general average for graduation. For his dedicated service to the UP College of Law, the UP Law Center - Bocobo Hall was named after him. A similar building at the Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where he finished his law course also bears his name.

The observance of National Heroes Day and the revival of Filipino folk dances began during his incumbency as acting president of the University of the Philippines from 1927 to 1928. In his crusade for good manners and right conduct among the students, he organized a courtesy committee and circulated a publication known as 'Courtesy Appeals.' He was permanent president from 1934 to 1939. Through his initiative, the 'Statue of Oblation' was erected. To him, the university must be committed to the "ideal of constructing an edifice more lasting than stone and steel, and that is, a sturdy character for men who shall uphold that righteousness which exalteth a nation, men with the powerful brawn and physical courage of Elias, the civic-mindedness of Isagani, and the learning and patriotic fervor of Ibarra." He was chairman 'ex-officio' of the UP Board of Regents when President Manuel L. Quezon appointed him in 1939 as Secretary of Public Instruction (Education). As secretary, he worked for more Filipino materials in the content of education, the use of the local dialect as auxiliary medium of instruction, and the inclusion of Philippine historical events in the curricula of the public schools in the country. In 1942, he was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. In that magistracy, he penned some of the decisions which have become miletones in Philippine jurisprudence to this day. In 1947, he was designated chairman of the Code Commission which drafted the Civil Code of the Philippines, also known as the 'Civil Code of the Brown Race' or the 'Brown Race Civil Code.'It was primarily through his efforts that certain provisions such as giving more rights to married women, implanting the principle of equity in Philippine jurisprudence, promoting the solidarity of the Filipino family, elevating Filipino customs to the category of law, and exalting the human personality were incorporated in the Civil Code.

Considered as an international legal luminary, he was a distinguished member of the international commission created to draft a common penal code for all Spanish and Portuguese-speaking peoples, the 'Instituto Hispano-Luso-Americano Derecho Internacional,' and the 'Academia de Jurisprudencia y Legislacion' - to name a few. This true Filipino who had a complete mastery of the English and Spanish languages wrote 'Radiant Symbol,' 'Streams of Life,' 'Furrows and Arrows,' and the unpublished 'Henry and Loleng' - the first Filipino novel in English, became an honorary member of the 'Academia de la Lengua Espanola,' and translated from Spanish to English Dr. Jose Rizal's letters and novels - the unexpurgated version of the 'Noli Me Tangere' and the 'El Filibusterismo.' For his broad learning, profound wisdom and long distinguished public service, Dr. Bocobo, who was one of the first government 'pensionados' to the United States where he took up law at the Indiana University, was thrice conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws, 'honoris causa' by the University of Southern California (USC) in 1930, Indiana University (IU) in 1951, and the University of the Philippines (UP) in 1953.

Jorge Cleofas Bocobo was born on October 19, 1886 in Gerona, Tarlac of hardy Ilocano parents and was married to Feliza Zialcita de Castro of Orani, Bataan and Balayan, Batangas. Seven children were born of this marriage: Elvira, Florante, Celia, Ariel, Dalisay, Israel and Malaya.

When his sun went down on July 23, 1965, he knew there was no regretting, yet he must have had the desire, as he expressed it on a momentous occasion, "to see how much we have not done rather than how much we have done, so that in all humility, we may resolve to do more."

(Image from http://www.apa.si.edu)