Writer and Patriotic Leadership advocate Napoleon “Leo” Almonte in his book “Rizal is my President” says “The modern Filipino dream runs parallel to Rizal’s dream of civil society”. Rizal may be dead but he has the attributes and visions of a good leader to turn that dream into reality.

I am recommending the book for a good Independence Day read. It provides insight into the national hero’s best leadership practices, which can be useful to government movers, teachers, corporate decision-makers and organizational leaders. Read it as you would, a John Maxwell book. I particularly like its “self-help feel” which is ideal for anyone who wants to put some values into personal dealings. It’s “chicken soup” for both the soul and a sick country.

The book opens with what I’d call, “true fiction”. The author’s clever use of storyline (and humor) to link Rizal with other Philippine leaders (including Ninoy Aquino) sets the scene for “what Rizal might do” with problematic, modern day Philippines. Almonte also attempts a political “time warp” to illustrate possibilities if Rizal ran for president. The first part of the book ends with what could be Rizal’s letter to Filipinos if he were to offer solutions to the big problem, his country has become.

The core of Almonte’s book is the 40 Leadership Tips derived from Rizal’s work, life and times. Almonte’s dissection of Rizal, (“like a frog” he writes) brings out the qualities lacking in today’s leaders. It’s surprising how our current leaders strayed too far from the core values.

One of the tips, “REJECTING BRIBE” addresses the country’s biggest affliction. Corruption.

Another leadership tip tells Filipinos to “EARN MONEY HONESTLY”, a long-lost tenet of decency amid today’s “standard operating procedures” of kick backs and profiteering. The tip: “RISING ABOVE HEART BREAK”, is where Rizal counsels leaders to put personal lives on the back seat and focus on the task at hand which serves the greater good.

He also warns about “hot tempers” and advises “RESTRAINING ONE’S BONIFACIO” citing radical solutions do not always ease crisis situations (would he have approved of the two EDSAS?).

He endorses “BELIEF IN GOD”, because the very cause of moral decay in the country is a loose concept of God, and an even obscure idea of Godliness.

(I have just given 5 tips and there are 35 more so grab a copy of the book when you can)

The last part of “Rizal is my President” is a workbook (also suitable for academic use) and activity guide where Rizal’s 40 Leadership Tips are applied in real life. The activities include “list ways to bribe an official” (of which the opposite is to be practiced), or “write a few positive news headlines in the Philippines in 2018” (assuming a cultural and moral rebirth). This part of the book is reminiscent of Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life, where principles are applied and “journalized” to monitor progress.

So would Rizal make a good president? I wouldn’t know. All I know is that many of today’s Filipinos don’t even come close to having Rizal’s values and that should (partly) explain the mess we find ourselves in. These values (though centuries old) are ever so applicable and Rizal would be honored if we immortalized these values by living them.

Would Rizal be corruptible if he were alive today? I don’t think it’s in his character to take a bullet if he was willing to compromise his beliefs. Rizal may make a good president but he was no politican. That’s why he’s dead.