04 January 2017 — The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh commemorated the 120th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Philippine Embassy grounds on December 30, 2016.
The Knights of Rizal-Central Region Chapter attended the event.
Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Iric C. Arribas led the commemoration by conveying President Rodrigo Duterte’s Rizal Day message to the audience.
“A period of national unity that calls for the cooperation, patience and sacrifice of our people is necessary. Each of us should muster the same dedication that moved and motivated Jose Rizal to action,” Chargé d’Affaires read from President Duterte’s message.
President Duterte drew parallelisms between the country’s fight for independence during the Spanish Colonial era and today’s struggle against the bondage of poverty, crime, illegal drugs and corruption.
The Knights of Rizal recognized outstanding teachers serving the different Philippine schools in Riyadh as a way to highlight the value Rizal placed on education.
Rhodora L. de la Cruz (Al Dana International School), Zenaida S. Balanag (Al Taj International School), Marilou V. Galvez (Elite International School), Felicidad A. Turingan (Future Generation International School), Dominador Solves, Jr. (International Philippine School in Riyadh), Alma C. Borja (Palm Crest International School) and Evangeline A. Bocaling (Riyadh International School) were recognized as “Huwarang Guro” during the Rizal Day commemoration.
As a tribute to Rizal’s work as a medical doctor, the Filipino Nurses Association in Saudi Arabia (FILNASA) conducted a seminar on Basic First Aid.
Dexter Abraham, R.N., Ryan Provido R.N. and Rose Balane R.N spoke during the seminar.
More than 130 participants from the CIS and Kabalikat Civicom took part in the seminar. END
