125th commemoration of Rizal’s martyrdom in Saudi Arabia
Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia personnel and Members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal-Central Chapter. (Riyadh PE photo)
RIYADH, 11 January 2022 – In commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh held a simple ceremony at the Diplomatic Quarter's Cultural Palace on 30 December 2021.
The theme for last year’s commemoration was: “Para sa Agham, Katotohanan at Buhay (Rizal for Science, Truth and Life)”. The ceremony was led by Mr. Paolo R. Zurita, Chargé d'affaires, a.i., together with select officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR) — Central Region Chapter. The event was conducted in compliance with the Kingdom's regulations to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
The program started with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, followed by the wreath-laying ceremony led by Mr. Paolo R. Zurita and OKOR's Chapter Commander Mr. Nunilo Eugenio.
Mr. Zurita then read President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's message for Rizal Day. In his message, the President paid tribute to the "unmatched boldness and compassion" of front-liners in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, while urging the public to emulate Rizal's wisdom and courage in one's own simple way.
In his inspirational message, Mr. Zurita described how, in view of what Dr. Rizal's execution stood for and eventually came to symbolize for us Filipinos, Rizal's every day – his seemingly ordinary decisions – are those that served as the essence of the freedom of our nation.
The program concluded with a reading of Dr. Jose Rizal's "Mi Ultimo Adios" by Mr. Claudio Fernandez, a member of OKOR. END
Mr. Paolo R. Zurita, Chargé d’affaires, a.i. and Mr. Nunilo Eugenio, Chapter commander of the OKOR-Central Chapter led the wreath-laying ceremony. (Riyadh PE photo)
Mr. Paolo R. Zurita, Chargé d’affaires, a.i., reads the message of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and delivers his remarks. (Riyadh PE photo)
Embassy Personnel and Members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal-Central Chapter commemorated Rizal Day while practicing local health regulations. (Riyadh PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.riyadhpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinKSA or https://twitter.com/PHLinKSA.