Sentro Rizal Jeddah Opens During Double Celebration of PH Independence Day, Rizal’s 157th Birth Anniversary
Consul General Edgar B. Badajos reads the Independence Day message of President Rodrigo Duterte before leaders and members of the Filipino community in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as well as the male and female wards of the Bahay Kalinga. (Jeddah PCG photo)
JEDDAH 25 June 2018 — The Philippine Consulate in General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia held a double celebration of the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence and the 157th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Jose P. Rizal at the Consulate grounds on 19 June 2018.
Special guests at the event were leaders and members of the Filipino community, and school principals and students from the various Philippine Schools in Jeddah. The Consulate also invited the male and female wards at the Bahay Kalinga to join in the festivities.
During the flag-raising ceremony, Philippine consular officials led by Consul General Edgar B. Badajos read the Independence Day messages of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano, and Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
On the occasion of Rizal’s birth anniversary, the Consulate General launched the Sentro Rizal Jeddah, and capped the day with a film-showing on the national hero.
In separate remarks that they delivered during the ceremony, Mr. Denver Lopez, Principal of the Durat Al Sharq International School, said that "having a Sentro Rizal will give teachers and students alike the opportunity to rekindle their patriotism, explore the real essence of Filipino identity through culture and arts, and the chance to regain his or her true identity."
On the other hand, Ms. Amina Hadji Ibrahim, a Grade 12 student from the International Philippine School in Jeddah, thanked the Consulate for putting up the Sentro Rizal. She added that "the Sentro Rizal is an important avenue for students to grow roots in Philippine culture and embody the best of Filipino values, especially the Bayanihan spirit."
Established through the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009. Sentro Rizal branches around the world serve as a hub to promote Filipino art, culture, and language to a global audience. The Sentro Rizal are usually housed in Philippine Embassies and Consulate General. END
For more information, visit www.jeddahpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/philippine.consulate.jeddah.
Consul General Edgar B. Badajos leads the ribbon-cutting during the launch of Sentro Rizal Jeddah, with Ms. Amina Hadji Ibrahim, a student from the International Philippine School of Jeddah and Mr. Denver Lopez, Principal of the Durat Al Sharq International School. (Jeddah PCG photo)
The bust of Dr. Jose P. Rizal at Sentro Rizal Jeddah. (Jeddah PCG photo)
Consulate Officials with representatives from the Filipino Community. (Jeddah PCG photo)
Consulate Officials with representatives from the different Philippine Schools in Jeddah. (Jeddah PCG photo)