Copies of Noli, Fili presented to top US universities

Philippine officials presented to various prestigious colleges and universities in the United States copies of the original manuscripts of Philippine national her Dr. Jose Rizal's two famous novels — the "Noli Me Tangere" and the "El Filibusterismo." According to a report of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine officials in Chicago recently presented copies of the "Noli" and "Fili" to the Columbia College of Chicago. Columbia, founded in 1890, is one of the largest art colleges in the US with nearly 12,000 students.    Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim presented the manuscripts of the two Rizal novels to Columbia College of Chicago Associate Vice-President Paul Chiaravalle during the International Education Week 2011 at the university library last Nov. 16.   "Present during the turnover were Filipino-American community members, the College's officials, faculty members and students," the DFA said. As of November 17, the DFA said the Consulate has already turned over copies of Dr. Rizal's novels to the University of Chicago and several other institutions, including: * Northern Illinois University * Truman College * Columbia College * Chicago Public Library * Skokie Public Library * Newberry Library * Instituto Cervantes * Rizal Heritage Center   The turning over of copies of Rizal's novels are part of the Philippines' commemoration of Rizal's 150th birth anniversary. Noli and Fili José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 and was killed by firing squad on December 30, 1896. He was a 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. - VVP, GMA News