PH Embassy Commemorates 127th Anniversary of Rizal’s Martyrdom in Ankara, Türkiye

Philippine Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. and his family, Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto and Matthew Bensurto, with the officers and staff of the Embassy and guests from the Filipino community (Embassy photo)

ANKARA 05 January 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Ankara paid tribute to National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal during the commemoration of the 127th anniversary of the hero’s martyrdom at the Embassy grounds on 29 December 2023.

Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. led the ceremony, with the theme Rizal: Pundasyon ng Kahapon, Isinasabuhay Ngayon,” with Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto, his son Matthew Bensurto, personnel of the Philippine Embassy, the office of the Defense and Armed Forces Attaché and some members of the Filipino community in Ankara.

The celebration began with a flag raising ceremony and the singing of the Philippine national anthem, followed by a wreath laying at the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal.  

During his remarks, Ambassador Bensurto, reflected on the paradox of the life of Dr. Rizal: living an extraordinary life, only for his death to be his greatest legacy; “to live in order to die.”. He gave tribute to Dr. Rizal’s love for humanity, for his people, and the nation. He reminded us that Dr. Rizal was not just a national hero, but also an ordinary man that loved his family and Christmas, and that ordinary Filipinos can also be heroes for our country by living our modern lives with passion and love. 

Ambassador Bensurto, Consul General Juan E. Dayang Jr, Vice Consuls Angela Margeaux E. Tolentino and Emile Josef B. Garcia read Dr. Rizal’s letters on his thoughts about Christmas, featured in an article titled “Hero's Last Christmas in 1896 Far from Merry," written by Prof. Ambeth Ocampo and published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer in 2012. Delving into  the thoughts of Dr. Rizal during the Christmas season reminds us that the hero was also an ordinary individual that loved his family.

The celebration concluded with a simple salu-salo of sopas, pancit and suman, which are believed to have been Dr. Rizal’s favorite merienda. END

Wreath-laying ceremony at the bust of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Philippine National Hero. (Embassy photo)

Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. delivers his welcoming remarks. (Embassy photo)

For more information, visit https://www.ankarape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinTurkey/, https://twitter.com/PHinTurkey or https://www.instagram.com/phinturkey/.