Teodoro M. Kalaw Avenue – an interpretation
Media
Part of The Cabletow
- Title
- Teodoro M. Kalaw Avenue – an interpretation
- Creator
- Benitez, Conrado
- Language
- English
- Year
- 1964
- Rights
-
- Abstract
- Delivered during the inauguration of Teodoro M. Kalaw Avenue, the former San Luis St., on Sunday April 12, 1964.
- Fulltext
- Teodoro M. Kalaw Avenue — An Interpretation CONRADO BENITEZ President, Teodoro M. Kalaw Society, Inc. (Delivered during the inauguration. of Teodoro M. Kalaw Avenue, the former San Luis St., on Sunday April 12, 7.96-4) The naming of an important Manila avenue after Teodoro M. Kalaw is significant enough by it self for it indicates that his achieve ments merit that distinction. But the naming of the street leading to, and where the National Library is located, after Teodoro M. Kalaw, has to me a deeper significance, for it is symbolic of the vital and unique role played by him, not only .in the history of the Philippines, but also of Asia—and that means of the whole world. It was the greatest living British historian Arnold Toynbe who, after writing a ten-volume history of man kind, advanced the proposition that all human progress may be traced to a minority—a creative minority that initiates or adopts new ideas and new processes which are subse quently followed by others. When thc study of the life and work of Teodoro M. Kalaw is fully written up—and that is one of the aims of our society — it will be re vealed that he pioneered in many intellectual projects essential to na tion-building, and invariably in pre paring for them he had to accumul ate before-hand the important in formation and knowledge needed for their accomplishment. He was ever the researcher, the scholar, the seeker for truth in facing the na tional and international problems ol his time. That is how he prepared himself to be one of the intellectual leaders of the nation — one form ol creative minority referred to by, I'oynbe. It is therefore, proper and fitting that the street named “Teodoro M. Kalaw" should lead to the national repository of all human knowledge and experience — which is no othei than the National Library — for, as our people face an entirely new world situation wherein the many independent countries recently eman cipated from West European colon ial control are threatened by the Communist colonialism, — it is only by constant and serious study ol other peoples' past and contempora ry experience that wc may find thc wise way to survival. It is our earnest hope that the new name of this street might inspire others to know more about the con tribution of Teodoro M. Kalaw to nation-building, and emulate his worthy example. While he is gen erally recognized as the great inter preter of our struggle for national liberty, there is one aspect of his life which I predict will be more and more deeply appreciated not only in the Philippines, but also in the FreeWorld, since it invokes human dig nity, human unity and human bro therhood in the face of serious threates from the Communist World. Like Rizal and co-workers who Turn to pogo 420 The Cabletow TEODORO M. KALAW. . . (From pogo 404) pioneered in advocating in Asia the modern Libertarian Movement un der the slogan of “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity,” Teodoro M. Kalaw adopted the international movement lor the Brotherhood of Man, irres pective of race or creed, under the Fatherhood of God, and was its scholarly interpreter. When the story of Filipino-American relation is fully evaluated, the role of Kalaw as an international statesman will be invoked to prove the validity ol the Brotherhood of Man in settling inter racial relations today. With the power to destroy all of mankind now in the hands of man, i expectable authors and writers earnestly insist that Brotherly Love which is the spiritual basis of De mocracy, has become a necessity in today's world, if mankind is to sur vive. It is also gratifying to note i hat thc implementation of the Brotherhood of Man as a way of life has recently been the concern of the ihrec main divisions of Christendom under the leadership of the late Pope John the XXIII, followed today by Pope Paul VI. When the principle of the Brotherhood of Man under i he Fatherhood of God is actually implemented among the free and equal nations of the earth, irrespec tive of race or creed, Teodoro M. Kalaw will be regarded and honored as its principal crusader and inter preter in 20th century Asia, and not only in the land of his birth. The Teodoro M. Kalaw Society is deeply grateful to the officials of the CSity of Manila for their vision and wisdom in helping to perpetuate the memory of not only a great na tion builder, but also one who did much that the world may be one. MASONRY AND THE. . . (From pogo 411) ried to extremes, becomes bigotry or even persecution. Thus there is set a demarcation line beyond which any good carried to an extreme excess creates the harmful effects of an evil. Because of the proper lack ol moderation, brilliant men who have burnt candles at both ends, have died before their fullest potentialities have been developed. He must possess fortitude. Webs ter defines fortitude as that strength or firmness of mind which enables a person to encounter danger with coolness and courage, or to beat pain or adversity without murmur ing, depression or despondency. Danger comes to everyone-prince or pauper—just or unjust, but it is only a select few who respond to il as warriors thrilling to a challenge, with all the senses and intellect hone to conquer or triumph. Facing any danger with coolness is a battle hall won. And it is only men with for titude that are capable of keeping cool in the face of dangers or death. You have now the picture of a man whom I believe will make a good teacher. He has wisdom. He pos sesses charity, faith, moderation and fortitude. Happily and luckily, my brethren, Masons are termed and im bued with all these traits. These are some of the teachings of Masonry and all good Masons possess these traits. These arc virtues which good Masons preach and practice. My conclusion, therefore, is — if these traits will make a man a good teacher and these traits are posses sions of good Masons, a good Ma son then will make a good teacher and vice versa, a good teacher will make a good Mason. 420 The Cabletow