Penguin Classics hosts book launching of Rizal's 'El Fili'

Penguin Classics Publishing hosted in New York the launching of the novel "El Filibusterismo," in time for the 150th birth anniversary of its author, Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. "El Filibusterismo" is the second Rizal novel to be republished by Penguin Classics, one of the largest publishers in the world. "El Filibusterismo" is a sequel to Rizal's first novel, the "Noli Me Tangere," which was republished by Penguin Classics five years ago. On June 16, three days before Rizal's 150th birth anniversary, Penguin Classics hosted the book launching of "El Filibusterismo" at the Philippines consulate in New York City. Those who delivered speeches during the launching were New York's Filipino consul general Mario L. De Leon Jr. as well as representatives of the New York chapter of the Knights of Rizal and Collaborative Opportunities for Raising Empowerment (CORE), a group of young Filipino professionals in New York. The book launching included a wreath laying ceremony for Rizal's 150th birth anniversary on June 19. "El Filibusterismo" is now available in the United States and the Philippines. It will become available in the United Kingdom starting on September 1. More global launchings of the book are planned in the coming months.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV The translation of "El Filibusterismo" from Spanish to English for the Penguin Classics version was done by American Harold Augenbraum, who had previously translated "Noli Me Tangere" in 2006. Elda Rotor, the editorial director of Penguin Classics, is a Filipina-American. Rotor said she found it very exciting to reach out to the Filipino community and celebrate Rizal as a great author. Noli and Fili José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 and was killed by firing squad on December 30, 1896. He was prominent advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. Rizal's 1896 military trial and execution made him a martyr of the Philippine Revolution. the anniversary of Rizal's death is commemorated as a Philippine holiday called Rizal Day. Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere" was a Spanish novel about the social ills during the Spanish period in the Philippines. The novel was first published in 1887 in Berlin, Germany. Rizal's "El Filibusterismo," on the other hand, was first published by F. Meyer van Loo Press in 1891 in Ghent, Belgium. - with Ryan Songalia, VVP, GMA News