PH Consulate General in Sydney Honors Dr. Jose Rizal Through Wreath-laying Ceremony, Reader's Theatre
SYDNEY 03 January 2024 – In commemoration of the 127th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine Consulate General organized a wreath-laying ceremony and the Reader’s Theatre on 28 December 2023.
Philippine Consul General to Sydney Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil, together with Special Tourism Representative Purificacion Molintas, Special Trade Representative Alma Argayoso, Knights of Rizal (KOR) ANZO Region Regional Commander Sir Ralph Posadas, Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. (KRI) Representative Lady Nenita Weekes, KOR and KRI members, and Filipino Australian community leaders offered wreaths and flowers in front of the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Consulate’s Bulwagang Rizal.
In line with the theme “Rizal: Foundation of the Past, Living Today,” Consul General Aviquivil in her remarks urged everyone to commemorate the life of Dr. Jose Rizal by dedicating themselves for a greater cause and continue to learn more about one's own culture and heritage through Dr. Rizal's works.
In addition, she shared that the Reader's Theatre, which the Consulate General mounted for the first time, aims to attract the interest of Filipino-Australians including the youth to appreciate the works of Dr. Rizal and improve their mastery of the Filipino language.
The Reader’s Theatre, a modified form of a play where the cast performs dramatic reading, was selected in order for Filipino Australians to enhance their interest and appreciation of Philippine culture and heritage, foster understanding of the Filipino language among second and third generation Filipinos in Australia, and raise awareness on Dr. Rizal and his literary works.
A total of five Sydney-based Filipino Australians, namely Ms. Grazie Panlican, Mr. David Joshua Delos Reyes, Ms. Carina Prentice, Mr. Iñaki Arrieta, and Ms. Marilyn Mendez, played several characters in three chapters of Dr. Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere. The chapters are “An Idyll on an Azotea (Chapter 7),” “A Schoolmaster’s Difficulties (Chapter 19),” and “The Story of a Mother (Chapter 21).” The Reader’s Theatre was directed by Mr. Rosaldo “Chi” De Jesus, a Creative/Stage Director in Sydney.
Before the start of each chapter, short narratives were delivered by three Filipino Australian leaders, particularly Lady Jinky Marsh, Sir Rado Gatchalian, and Ms. Fredisinda Buchlak, for the audience to easily understand the purpose and meaning of each scenario. The narratives were written by Palanca awardee andDe La Salle University Professor Dr. Jose Victor Torres and KOR Deputy Area Commander - Eastern Australia Sir Rado Gatchalian, KCR.
The event was attended by over 80 participants composed of KOR and KRI officials and members, Filipino Australian community leaders and members, local media representatives, and family members of the cast.
The Reader’s Theatre was enthusiastically received by the audience, with many commenting on the fresh and novel approach in presenting Rizal’s works. After the program, participants were enthusiastically discussing how the activity refreshed their knowledge on Noli Me Tangere and the difficult or rarely used Filipino words in the novel.
The Reader’s Theatre performance may still be viewed at the official Facebook page of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney through http://tinyurl.com/bp6bn9pv . END
For more information, visit https://www.sydneypcg.dfa.gov.ph/, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinSydney, or https://www.instagram.com/phlinsydney/.