Sentro Rizal Muscat Hosts Rizal Day Commemoration
Philippine Ambassador to Oman Imelda M. Panolong together with Mr. Jamel U. Panolong, Consul Jacqueline Joan S. Arquiza and Vice Consul Joanna Vi D. Arbado at the wreath-laying ceremony during the Philippine Embassy’s commemoration of the 126th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. (Muscat PE photo)
MUSCAT 03 January 2023 — The Philippine Embassy’s Sentro Rizal Muscat, led by Philippine Ambassador to Oman Imelda M. Panolong, commemorated the 126th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Philippine Embassy garden on 29 December 2022.
In her remarks during the ceremony, Ambassador Panolong highlighted the theme of this year’s commemoration, “Rizal: Alaalang Iningatan, Yaman Ngayon ng Bayan”, and reminded everyone that “...it costs nothing to be kind, to lend a helping hand, to be more understanding of others. In this way we can be like Dr. Jose Rizal and be a hero without a cape.”
The Philippine School in Oman (PSO)’s school administration officials headed by its Principal, Mr. Michael B. Joves, members of the Board of Trustees with Engr. Luisito B. Layon (Chairman), Parents-Teachers Association officers with Mrs. Catherine M. Layon (President), and the Student Council of Philippine School officers, attended the ceremony.
The PSO’s KORO PSiano and INDAK PSiano led in the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and Pilipinas Kong Mahal, and presented the traditional folk dance Subli, respectively.
Also part of the program was reading of Rizal’s poems, namely, “To the Filipino Youth'' read by Embassy personnel led by Consul Jacqueline S. Arquiza and Vice Consul Joanna Vi D. Arbado with Labor Attaché Gregorio T. Abalos, Jr., and Welfare Officer Rea E. Rivero, and “Education Gives Luster to the Motherland'' read by PSO students Breanne Harriete Cureg and Chloe Lois Layon. The program concluded with FILIPIkNOw Trivia Game which was enthusiastically participated by the audience, especially the students.
The Sentro Rizal Muscat donated books to the PSO including Jose Rizal Correspondence with Blumentritt Volume 1, Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan by Emilio Aguinaldo, PINAGMULAN, a compilation of Philippine intangible cultural heritage, and Panaderia, a documentation of the stories behind the making of Philippine bread.
On 12 June 2012, the Philippine Embassy launched the first Sentro Rizal cultural center and library in the Middle East to give Filipino expatriates in Oman and their children an opportunity to reconnect with their homeland through books, films and other published materials. END
Ambassador Imelda M. Panolong delivering her remarks during the Philippine Embassy’s commemoration of the 126th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. (Muscat PE photo)
Ambassador Imelda M. Panolong with (from left) Ar. Randie L. Garcia, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine School in Oman (PSO-BOT), Mr. Michael B. Joves, PSO Principal, and Engr. Luisito B. Layon, Chairman of the PSO-BOT at the book donation ceremony at the Sentro Rizal Muscat. (Muscat PE photo)
FILIPIkNOw Trivia Game aims to challenge the Philippine history proficiency of the students (and their skill to google!) (Muscat PE photo)
INDAK PSiano striking a pose with Ambassador Imelda M. Panolong, Mr. Jamel U. Panolong, and Philippine Embassy officials. (Muscat PE photo)
Ambassador Imelda M. Panolong, with Mr. Jamel U. Panolong and Philippine Embassy officials, joined by KORO PSiano. (Muscat PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.muscatpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinOman/.