PHL EMBASSY IN RIYADH COMMEMORATES 117TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF DR. JOSE RIZAL
02 January 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh commemorated the 117th Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizals martyrdom with the theme: Rizal: Inspirasyon - Noon, Ngayon at Bukas at the Mabini Hall of the embassy.
The simple ceremony was attended by Philippine Embassy officers and staff led by Minister and Consul General Marshall Louis M. Alferez, personnel from the Philippine Labor Office (POLO) and other representatives from attached agencies. Representatives from the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR) - Riyadh Chapter led by Commander Emmanuel Mallari, Jr. came to attend the event.
Minister and Consul General Alferez and OKOR Commander, Sir Emmanuel Mallari, Jr. led the wreath-laying at Rizals bust.
Consul General Alferez gave a message on how Dr. Jose Rizal was inspired by the Filipinos resilience after facing disasters and calamities.
The Consul General recalled how Rizal praised the resilience of the Filipinos when facing catastrophic disasters like earthquakes and typhoons when he wrote an unpublished article entitled, Pilipinas Desgraciada (Unfortunate Philippines), in 1883. He noted the similarity of the strength shown by the victims of typhoon Yolanda and the Bohol earthquake just after those disasters ravaged their communities.
Knights of Rizal - Riyadh Commander Sir Emmanuel Mallari, Jr. read one of Rizals poem, Imno sa Paggawa (Hymn to Labor) which reflects how Rizal honors the diligence and dedication of the Filipinos in their work.
The poem was significant to all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia where hundreds of Filipino workers are working hard for their families and for the progress of the Philippine nation.
The ceremony helped to serve as a reminder of Rizals challenge to every Filipino not to stop advancing the journey of the Philippines as a nation, and to always embrace the nation whether in times of tragedy or triumph.
KNIGHTS OF RIZAL-NY CHAPTER LEADS RIZAL DAY CELEBRATION IN NEW YORK
03 January 2014- The Filipino community, led by the members of the Knights of Rizal (KOR) New York Chapter, commemorated the 117th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Philippine Center in Manhattan, New York last December 19.
Consul General Mario De Leon (seated, 3rd from right) and members of the Knights of Rizal New York Chapter led by President Joe Ramos (standing, far left) celebrate Rizal Day at the Philippine Center in New York (Photo by Paeng Mendoza)
The evening started with a ceremonial flower offering by the Knights at the bust of the national hero at the Gallery lobby. This was followed by a program commemorating the life of the Philippines national hero.
Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr., himself a KOR member, welcomed the guests to the celebration. He expressed his admiration for Dr. Rizal as not only a patriot, but a man with a myriad of talents, all of which he offered for the love of his country and fellowmen.
Left Photo: Sir Ferdinand Suba presenting his reflections on the Criminal Trial of Dr. Jose Rizal; Right photo: KOR President Joe Ramos, Consul General De Leon and Sir Roger Alama offers flowers to the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal;
He highlighted Dr. Rizals incarceration period in the then sleepy town of Dapitan, where Rizals urban planning and town development projects may provide valuable lessons in rebuilding the villages and restoration of communities devastated by typhoon Yolanda. He likewise encouraged his fellow Knights to promote the education of the life of Rizal to the younger generations, especially to the second-generation Filipino-Americans who may not be well-taught about the life and teachings of the great hero.
Right photo: Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ed De Vega performs Mi Ultimo Adios in Spanish; Left photo: Sir Michael Dadap and soprano singer perform a cheerful rendition of Ang Maya. (Photos by Paeng Mendoza)
Atty. Ferdinand Suba presented a thought-provoking reflection on the criminal trial of Dr. Rizal. Drawing from his legal expertise, Sir Suba argued several flaws on the prosecution and eventual execution of Dr. Rizal during the Spanish Revolutionary era.
Some entertainment of the patriotic kind followed after the intriguing discourse. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Eduardo De Vega delivered an impassioned Mi Ultimo Adios in its original Spanish version. Mr. Michael Dadap and a soprano singer performed Ang Maya and Dulces Las Oras. The program culminated with a community singing of Ang Bayan Ko and Si Gat Jose Rizal.
PHL EMBASSY IN ATHENS COMMEMORATES RIZAL DAY 2013
02 January 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Athens, Greece commemorated the 117th anniversary of the martyrdom of Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal on December 27, 2013 at the Embassy grounds. Embassy officers and staff and Filipino community members gathered in front of the Rizal bust at the Embassy grounds to sing the national anthem, Lupang Hinirang, and pledged allegiance to the Philippine flag through the recitation of the Panunumpa sa Watawat.
Left photo: Philippine Charg dAffaires Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil offers flower bouquet to the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal; Right photo: The officers and staff of the Embassy and the Filcom during the commemoration of Rizal Day 2013;
Charg dAffaires, a.i. (CDA) Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil then offered a floral bouquet before the bust of Dr. Rizal.
Right photo: The Philippine Embassy in Athens led by CDA Aviquivil and Filipino community members sing the national anthem during the 117th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal on December 27, 2013; Left photo: Reading of the two poems of Dr. Rizal entitled Sa Aking Mga Kabata at Imno sa Paggawa.
After the flower offering, CDA Aviquivil delivered a short message focusing on this years theme Rizal: Inspirasyon Noon, Ngayon at Bukas. All embassy personnel and the Filipino community took part in the poetry reading of the two poems of Dr. Rizal: Sa Aking Mga Kabata at Imno sa Paggawa.
This was followed by a viewing of the Rizal exhibit and a simple salu-salo.
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN HONOLULU COMMEMORATES THE 117TH DEATH ANNIVERSAY OF DR. RIZAL
03 January 2014 - Acting Head of Post Roberto T. Bernardo leads the staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu and members of the Filipino community in commemorating the 117th death anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal at the Philippine Consulate General grounds on Pali Highway, Honolulu.
