Rizal's birth anniversary marked in Chinese ancestor's hometown

Philippine officials in China marked the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal at the hometown of his ancestor last week. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said a staff of 27 from the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen traveled to Jinjiang City on June 20 to pay tribute to Rizal. Rizal's 150th birth anniversary was on June 19. "The 27-man delegation from the Consulate General laid a wreath at the Rizal Monument at the Rizal Square located within the People's Cultural Plaza in Qiongque Village, Luoshan Town in Jinjiang City, Fujian Province," the DFA said in a news release posted on its website. "This monument is a special landmark both for Filipino and Chinese citizens since it was built in the hometown of Rizal's Chinese ancestor Ke Nan, also known as Domingo Lamc," the DFA said. According to the DFA, the monument in China, completed in December 2002, is a slightly larger replica of the one standing at the Luneta, Rizal Park in Manila. The monument in China stands 18.61 meters high, representing Rizal's birth year. "Like the original in Manila, the monument in Jinjiang also features a bronze statue of the national hero as its centerpiece," the DFA said. Meeting of officials Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz led Consulate officers, staff and dependents, in the ceremonies. Those who welcomed the delegation at the entrance of the Square was the Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Jinjiang City, Li Qingxin; and the Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Quanzhou Municipality (Quanzhou FAO), Huang Baiqing. The wreath-laying was followed by a lunch hosted by Quanzhou Municipal Vice Mayor Chen Rongzhou at the Quanzhou Hotel. Also present during the lunch meeting were the Deputy Secretary General of the Quanzhou Municipal People's Government, Huang Wencheng; Deputy Director General of the Quanzhou Municipal Bureau of Economics and Foreign Trade Cooperation, Liu Huihuang and officials of Quanzhou FAO. "Matters concerning Philippines-Quanzhou relations were discussed," the DFA said. Part-Chinese ancestry The officials agreed Rizal's part-Chinese ancestry highlights the closeness of the blood and kinship ties between the Philippines and Southern Fujian. Southern Fujian's natives comprise the majority of Filipino-Chinese. Cruz also thanked the officials of Quanzhou and Jinjiang FAO for their warm hospitality. Cruz also donated to the children of Quanzhou through Vice Mayor Chen 150 copies of the book entitled "A Selection of Folk Tales from the Philippines for the Young Chinese Reader." The book contains a selection of 10 illustrated Philippine folktales, translated into Chinese. The book was especially published as a gift of the Filipino children to the Chinese children as part of the celebrations of the 35th Anniversary of Philippines-China relations. It was first launched during the visit of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the Shanghai World Expo in June. - VVP, GMA News