PHL Embassy in Brussels and the Order of the Knights of Rizal in Belgium Commemorate 121st Death Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal
Consul General Alan L. Deniega leads the heads of the various chapters of the Order of the Knights of Rizal in the wreath-laying ceremony held at the Philippine Embassy in Brussels in commemoration of the 121st Death Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal
05 January 2018 BRUSSELS — The Embassy of the Philippines in Brussels and the Order of the Knights of Rizal (KGOR) in Belgium held a wreath-laying ceremony and program at the Embassy on 30 December 2017 in commemoration of the 121st Death Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Guests composed of members of various chapters of the KGOR in Belgium, the Kababaihang Rizalistas and the Las Damas de Rizal, their families and other members of the Filipino community in Belgium attended the event.
KGOR Area Commander for Belgium Sir Jim Rebong welcomed the guests, while Sir Abet Arevalo, KGOR served as the Master of Ceremonies.
Charge d’ Affaires, a.i. and Consul General Alan L. Deniega led the leaders of KGOR in the wreath-laying ceremony. In his message, CDA Deniega highlighted some remarkable aspects of Dr. Rizal’s character, particularly his ability to think critically, and framed Rizal’s political views and nationalism in today’s setting, such as with the grand experiment of the European Union on pooling sovereignty. He also emphasized the need to inculcate the teachings of Rizal to the younger generation in Europe, especially to the children of KOR.
In his closing remarks, Sir Lino Paras, KGOR Over-all Adviser for Europe, likewise emphasized that the ideals and aspirations that Dr. Rizal had for the Philippines and for other nations transcend beyond his time and must therefore continue to be an inspiration for Filipinos and for the world today.
The guests were also entertained with presentations of song, reading of poetry and memoires of Dr. Rizal, and dance numbers by members of the Aalst, Brussels, Charleroi, Diamond and El Filibusterismo Chapters of the KGOR and the Kababaihang Rizalistas and Las Damas de Rizal. The program ended with a community singing of “Pilipinas Kong Mahal.” END
For more information, visit www.brusselspe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBelgium.
Consul General Alan L. Deniega (seated 3rd from right) with officers and members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal in Belgium during the 121st Death Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal held at the Philippine Embassy in Brussels on 30 December 2017
Sir Lino Paras, KGOR Over-all Adviser for Europe, delivering his closing remarks.