PHL eyes putting up Rizal Center in Czech Republic

Philippine officials are considering setting up a center for national hero Dr. Jose Rizal in the area where he stayed in the Czech Republic in the 1800s. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Ambassador Evelyn Garcia broached the idea after visiting Litomerice City, where Rizal's good friend Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt used to reside. "(Garcia) broached a proposal by the Ayala Foundation to put up a Centro Rizal, which among others will house a collection of Filipiniana books including those dedicated to Dr. Rizal, which (Litomerice Mayor Ladislav) Chlupac found to be very interesting," said the DFA. "She also cited the possibility of developing Rizal tourism packages to boost tourism between the Philippines and the Czech Republic," the DFA added. Chlupac happens to be a member of the Knights of Rizal Litomerice Chapter, the DFA noted. Garcia's visit to Litomerice was her first trip outside of Prague, after her presentation of credentials to President Vaclav Klaus earlier this week. Rizal and Blumentritt's friendship During her meeting with Chlupac, she thanked him for his efforts in helping preserve the memory of the friendship between Rizal and Blumentritt in Litomerice. "For his part, Mayor Chlupac thanked Ambassador Garcia for her visit. He likewise promised to maintain the close friendship between Litomerice and the Embassy," the DFA said. Chlupac accompanied Garcia in offering flowers at the busts of Rizal and Blumentritt. A tour of the Rizal-Blumentritt Bastion then followed. Rizal, together with Dr. Maximo Viola, visited the place in 1887 when it was still a town in Bohemia, then a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Sister cities Many Filipinos visit Litomerice which has sister city agreements with Calamba and Dapitan in the Philippines, where Rizal used to live. Litomerice hosts the Parkany Jose Rizala (Jose Rizal Park) and two other sites where the busts of Rizal and Blumentritt are displayed. It is also the site of the Rizal-Blumentritt Bastion, which was established in April 2009. The bastion contains a collection of memorabilia commemorating the friendship between the two men and a number of Philippine cultural items. It is scheduled to host a Filipiniana exhibition this June.– VVP, GMA News