Pinoys in Indonesia 'rediscover' Jose Rizal

Philippine officials in Indonesia held a special seminar to help the Filipino community in that country "rediscover" national hero Dr. Jose Rizal whose 150th birth anniversary is being commemorated this year. Some 70 members of the Filipino community attended the seminar at the Embassy's conference room last July 5, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. "It would be good to have more seminars like these, particularly those dealing with Philippine heritage and culture. We should attract more young Filipino children who are growing up in Indonesia who do not have the benefit of learning about our country in their schools," the DFA quoted one of the participants as saying. The DFA quoted another attendee who said "the lectures were very informative and a refresher course." Put on display at the seminar were facsimile editions of Rizal's writings and other works, to give attendees a "visual appreciation" Rizal's "multi-faceted genius." Philippine Permanent Representative to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Wilfrido Villacorta, Bernardita Catalla and Ronell Santos were the speakers during the seminar. - VVP, GMA News