Pinoys abroad continue tributes for Jose Rizal in 2012

Even though the 150th birth anniversary of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal has already passed last year, Filipinos abroad continue holding honor rites for him.   The Department of Foreign AFfairs (DFA) said in Singapore on December 30, Philippine Chargé d'Affaires Nathaniel Imperial placed a wreath at his commemorative marker at the Asian Civilizations Museum green along the Singapore River. on December 30 last year. The marker has been the focal point of the Embassy's celebration of Rizal's 150th birth anniversary in 2011, where the activities included the staging of Ballet Philippines' Crisostomo Ibarra and the launch of John Nery's book Rizal: Revolutionary Spirit in Singapore.   "Singapore was the first foreign country in which Rizal set foot, and the last that he passed on his return to the Philippines, under arrest, shortly before he was executed in Bagumbayan," the DFA said.   Rizal's marker was unveiled in 2008 by no less than President S.R. Nathan, through the joint efforts of the Embassy, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Historical Institute (NHI) of the Philippines and the National Heritage Board (NHB) of Singapore.   It features a bronze relief likeness of Rizal by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino, and a brief biography of him, with a painting of him by Fabian Dela Rosa. "It helps that Rizal was a world traveller, for the many Rizal landmarks and statues, parks and plazas worldwide named in his honor, like the Rizal marker in Singapore, serve as common points of reference for the Philippines and the countries he visited and in which he lived. It is a cultural presence of the highest order, for Rizal represented the pinnacle of the Filipino's intellectual brilliance and virtues in the 19th century," Imperial said.   He added these markers also serve as a cultural compass for the Filipino diaspora scattered all over the world, and helps instill in them the need to preserve their identity, even as they adapt to the countries they live in.   "They provide a sense of history and belonging to the Filipino diaspora who see him as an exemplar of the Filipino nation," he added.   "The Embassy will continue its tribute to Rizal in 2012 with a film screening of Marilou Diaz-Abaya's 'Jose Rizal,'" it said.   Rizal tribute in Rome Meanwhile, in Rome on Friday, January 6, the Philippine Embassy to the Holy See will continue its commemoration of Rizal's martyrdom at the Piazzale Manila in Rome. "The founder of the Philippine Democratic Guardians International Inc., Norberto Fabros, is coordinating with the Embassy in conducting a program of wreath-laying and flag-raising ceremony at the Rizal monument in Piazzale Manila," the DFA said. Those expected to attend the event are Italian guests and members of Filipino communities in Rome, it added. Last Monday, the Embassy belatedly marked the anniversary of Rizal's martyrdom with a flag-raising and singing of the Philippine National Anthem at the Chancery. Ambassador Mercedes Tuason led the ceremonies last Monday, the DFA said. - VVP, GMA News