Philippine Embassy Marks ‘Rizal Day’

Bandar Seri Begawan – The Philippine Embassy marked the 109" Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr Jose P Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines yesterday with a flag-hoisting and wreathlaying ceremony at the Philippines Embassy.

This was followed by the recitation of one of his poems entitled "Sa Aking Mga Kababata" (To My Fellow Children), by the Embassy's Consular Assistant, Francis Enaje, a press release from the Philippine Embassy said.

The Philippine Embassy in Brunei joined the rest of the Philippine diplomatic posts abroad in commemorating Rizal Day. In the Philippines, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the flag raising ceremony and wreath offering in Baguio City, while vice-president, Noli de Castro led the rites at the Rizal Monument in Luneta and other government officials at the different Rizal monuments and shrines in the Philippines.

Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 to a family of I I children. The seventh child in the family, Rizal exhibited remarkable intelligence and artistic inclination at a very early age, completing, with excellence, courses in Philosophy and Letters, Surveying and Medicine at 24. He had -also mastered 22 languages, having travelled extensively in Europe, America and Asia, and ardently pursued political and social reforms for his country.

His two greatest works, "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo", sought to educate his countrymen and served to inspire the Philippine Revolution of 1898, which brought about the Philippine independence from Spain. His masterpiece poem, "Mi Ultimo Adios" (My Last Farewell), which spoke of his great love for his country, was written in his prison cell the night before he was executed at Bagumbayan Field (Luneta, also known as Rizal Park) at age 35, on December 30, 1896. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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