29 July 2016 - As part of its multi-film event, “Piling-Pili Pelikulang Pilipino: The Making of the Filipino Nation” on the occasion of the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen’s Sentro Rizal held a film showing of the 1961 adaptation of Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s novels, “Noli Me Tangere” (Touch Me Not) on July 24 at its Bulwagang Bagumbayan - Heroes Hall.
The movie is considered a major breakthrough to mainstream Rizal’s classic novel to the Filipino movie-going public to highlight the oppressive Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines perpetuated by the omnipotence of the Spanish friars, itself a critical factor in building the momentum of the Propaganda Movement leading up the Philippine revolution against Spain.
The film was well-received by the audience, as it enabled them to gain a deeper appreciation of the Spanish era in Philippine history as well as the collective struggles of the Filipinos to gain freedom and independence. It also rekindled their interest to re-read and revisit the novel, “Noli Me Tangere.”
The film showing is a vital contribution to the program of activities for 2016 of the Consulate General’s Sentro Rizal. Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores hosted the event, which was attended by the Consulate General’s officers and staff, the President of the Filipinos Association in Xiamen, Mr. Edward Tenorio, as well as professionals, teachers and other members of the Filipino community.
Consul General Flores expressed appreciation to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) for providing the film material which is a restored copy as gifted by the German government to former President Corazon Aquino when she visited Germany in 1989.
The Consulate General views that film is a potent tool in the implementation of its cultural diplomacy thrusts, especially in educating as well as informing Filipinos of the richness history and culture as exemplified by Rizal’s immortal novels, “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”, both written originally in Spanish. END