In June 2020, Jose Rizal's descendant Jeremiah Villaroman made rounds online after he revealed that the Philippine Navy had "flagged" his social media accounts because he shared certain content that the organization deemed "inappropriate."
Jeremiah, a descendant of Rizal's eldest sister Saturnina Rizal-Hidalgo, and his family were asked to attend the inauguration of a new vessel in honor of the national hero on his 159th birth anniversary.
He wrote in Instagram stories, as quoted by Esquiremag.ph, "The Philippine Navy is inaugurating a new vessel in honor of Jose Rizal on the 19th [of June], which happens to be his birthday. And calls were made to me and my cousins to attend, an effort for the younger generation of Rizals to step in as per the palace."
"I'm usually always game for functions like this, but I've expressed my reservations for health's sake. But this afternoon, I got a call from my tita, who has been in contact with their team to arrange everything for us.
"She mentioned that they did extra background checks on all the names submitted to Malacanang since I think the press will be invited too.
"They specifically flagged my social media accounts for sharing certain content that they seem to have deemed 'inappropriate,' requesting that I remain impartial to the current political climate due to the nature of the event I was going to attend on behalf of my family. AKA, take them down."
In response, Jeremiah said to his aunt, "I have no intention of staying silent when our basic human rights are being threatened. The man they're attempting to honor fought with a pen and a piece of paper, and I choose to do so with my phone. Count me out."
However, Jeremiah is more than the issue he was involved in as he is also a well-known freelance photographer who already worked with A-listers in showbiz like Heart Evangelista, and Miss Universe queens Pia Wurtzbach, and Catriona Gray.
Get to know more about Jeremiah Villaroman in this gallery.
Meet Jeremiah Gabriel J. Villaroman, more known as Je to his friends and colleagues, and one of the descendants of our national hero Jose Rizal.
Jeremiah Villaroman is related to Jose Rizal's eldest sister Saturnina.
Jeremiah Villaroman is a millennial, being born on March 20, 1994.
Jeremiah Villaroman is a proud alumnus of the De La Salle University.
Jeremiah Villaroman is a photographer by profession. He does freelance work in fashion and editorial photography.
Jeremiah Villaroman pursued post-graduate studies at the International Center of Photography in Manhattan, New York.
Jeremiah Villaroman has a natural case of wanderlust and his profession has even brought him to more beautiful and exotic destinations.
Jeremiah Villaroman has also photographed high-profile celebrities like beauty queens Catriona Gray and Pia Wurtzbach; actors Janine Gutierrez, Heart Evangelista, Lovi Poe, Jake Cuenca; and automative journalist James Deakin.
Jeremiah Villaroman possesses the strong features of a Filipino.
Jeremiah Villaroman embraces his being kayumanggi, too.
Jeremiah Villaroman lost his father in 2017 but he remains close to his mom. He also has a sister named Leandra.
Jeremiah Villaroman has always represented his family and relatives in formal affairs concerning Jose Rizal. To celebrate Rizal's death anniversary in 2019, he encouraged his generation via an empowering post, “We're in a position to create great change not just for the country but for our fellow Filipinos, to learn from different perspectives, different cultures, different ways of thinking, and solutions to problems to ultimately bring it back here to the Philippines and share what knowledge we have.”
Jeremiah Villaroman has also used his platform to join an anti-bullying campaign. “It's okay to be different. Different is good. I am different,” he wrote.
Jeremiah Villaroman has been very vocal in advocating love for the country and freedom; values he learned from his great ancestor that he continues to espouse.
Jeremiah Villaroman stands up for his convictions. In a story posted by Iloilo-based publication and media outlet, Daily Guardian, he claimed to turn down an invitation for the inauguration of Philippine Navy's vessel BRP Jose Rizal after he was asked to be “impartial to the current political climate.”
Jeremiah Villaroman remains in touch with the society. He wrote for his birthday in 2020, “This year I only wish for healing and good health not only for me, the people close to me, and my family but every single human being on earth right now. We got this!”
To celebrate Independence Day in 2021, Jeremiah Villaroman asked the youth to get involved, echoing the famous quote of Dr. Jose Rizal. He said to Manila Standard, "I feel like [Dr. Jose Rizal] would tell the youth, tell my generation, to involve themselves, to make sure that they have a say in the ins and outs of society, in what is going on in the country."
Jeremiah's two consecutive birthday wishes were the same, "healing and health for everyone." Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he added, "Adding strength and perseverance with whatever storm hits our way. It was a rough year since the whole pandemic started but trust and believe that we'll all get through this!"
Continue to be an inspiration like Dr. Jose Rizal, Je!