A bust of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s bust was recently unveiled at the Philippine Consulate General in Macau in commemoration of his 150th birth anniversary. Rizal set foot in Macau more than 120 years ago as he was on his way to Japan from Hong Kong on February 18, 1888. According to Rizal's diary, Rizal visited in Macau a theater, the grotto of Camoens, a botanical garden, some pagodas, and a casino, among others. The unveiling of Rizal's bust on June 20 was led by Consul General Villapando. The guests of honor included:
Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Joao Manuel Costa Antunes representing Secretary of Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U; Deputy Commissioner Mao Siwei of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Macau SAR, and Chief of Protocol Daniel Fung. The event was attended by members of the Macau Consular Corps, as well as members of the academe, business sector, and the Filipino community. In his speech during the unveiling ceremony, Villapando emphasized the importance of Jose Rizal in establishing the Philippines as Asia’s first republic. Villapando also cited Rizal’s significance in the field of Asian political thought and nationalism. Villapando presented to the guests of honor copies of Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere" and “El Filibusterismo," with Leon Ma. Guerro’s biography of Rizal, “The First Filipino." In order to address the curiosity of the press, the Consulate distributed some information kit and photos of Rizal. The Consulate General’s aims to create greater awareness of Rizal as a great Asian political thinker. - VVP, GMA News 
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