Noli & Fili: Translators’ favorites

Today, Nov. 30, is National Heroes Day and our acknowledged national hero is Dr. Jose Rizal. A column on his famous novels that led to the Philippine Revolution is in order.

- ELFREN S. CRUZ

Even a month or so after Buchmesse, my wife Neni Sta. Romana Cruz still talks of what to her were major highlights of the once in a lifetime event for the Philippine book industry.

“It has been long acknowledged that it was Jose Rizal's connection with Germany as a student of ophthalmology at the University of Heidelberg that first linked the Philippines to Germany ~a link we proudly carried all the way to the Philippines as Guest of Honor at this year’s Frankfurter Buchmesse.

“At the grand opening ceremony, project visionary Sen. Loren Legarda highlighted Jose Rizal's role, he who fought with his pen. ’ ... And if one book written by a Filipino on German soil awakened a nation thousands of miles away long ago, imagine — just imagine — what we, together, can awaken today.’ At the end of the five-day Buchmesse, Legarda’s prescient words were realized, thanks to the caliber of the Philippine delegation.

“Many of our Philippine titles had German editions, but we are proudest of what we can our legacy editions, the latest German translations of the Noli and the Fili.

“These editions were significant enough for their book launches to deserve being held at the Philippine Pavilion, the only titles meriting that honor. And even launched on two occasions.