Pinoys in Italy mark Rizal day too

Though miles away from home, overseas Filipinos in Italy likewise commemorated the heroism of Dr. Jose Rizal on the 113th anniversary of his martyrdom. In Rome, the Philippine Embassy to the Holy See marked Rizal Day with a mass at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome on Wednesday. Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Mercedes Tuason organized the event with the participation of the embassy staff, priests, religious and representatives from different Filipino communities, according to a report on the news site of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. [See: RP Embassy to Vatican observes Rizal day in Rome] The report also said Rome-based couple Leandro and Josephine Bantug, whose family traces its lineage to Rizal's sister Narcisa, will attend the mass with their children Leandro José Jr., Maria Regina Katrina, and Juan Paolo Antonio. Rizal is known to have visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major, chosen for the anniversary celebration, on June 27, 1887. In one of his letters as cited in the report, Rizal had written: “I have also visited some churches and museums, like the Capitoline Museum and the church of St. Mary Major, which is also magnificent." After the mass, the overseas Filipino group visited the Rizal monument at Piazzale Manila, a 2x3-ft bronze bust of Rizal by artist Jose Giroy unveiled in 1998, in commemoration of the Centennial of Philippine Independence activities. Another commemorative activity was the Bantug family's presentation to Tuason of a book titled Lolo Jose — An Intimate and Illustrated Portrait of Jose Rizal, written by Asuncion Lopez Bantug, Rizal's grandniece. In Israel, meanwhile, text messages sent last Tuesday reminded Filipinos based in the Holy Land to remember the martyrdom of Rizal. Philippine Ambassador Petronila Garcia and the Philippine embassy activated the “text brigade" to remind Filipino expatriates to remember Rizal, as she led commemoration rites at the Philippine Embassy grounds in Tel Aviv., the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Garcia highlighted in her message the virtues of the national hero and inspired everyone to follow his example to promote individual and collective well-being, the DFA said on its website. [See: Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv commemorates the 113th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal] The officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles also joined worldwide commemorations, which included a flag ceremony and flower offering. – Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV