22 November 2013 - Philippine National Artist for Literature Professor Virgilio Almario held a lecture before a gathering of Filipino community members including their children last November 07 on the topic “Ang Pag-ibig sa Bayan ni Andres Bonifacio” at the Philippine Embassy.

Philippine Ambassador to Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) Maria Lumen B. Isleta welcomed the members of the Filipino community and noted that the evening’s lecture coincides with the commemoration of the sesquicentennial anniversary of the birth of national hero Andres Bonifacio on November 30.

The Philippine Embassy, in cooperation with the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), organized this lecture (Series No. 3) under the year-long program of activities of the Embassy’s Sentro Rizal. 

The lecture focused on the life of Andres Bonifacio and his works, particularly the poem entitled “Ang Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa”.  Professor Almario also shared several untold stories about Bonifacio and the call of some groups to consider him as the first Philippine President.

After his talk, several members of the Filipino community raised questions on the death of Bonifacio, his wife Gregoria del Pilar, his relatives and the relationship of Bonifacio with Jose Rizal. 

The event turned out to be a cultural evening with performances of the Maglalatik dance by community children, rendition of OPM songs by an eight-year old Filipino student, Sidney Lampayan, poetry reading by Mr. Joel Ganibe to the violin music performed by younger brother Joseph Ganibe.    
 

The activity ended with a simple Filipino dinner prepared by the Embassy. Members of the community also took the opportunity to seek out Professor Almario’s autograph and have photos taken with him.  He is currently the Chairman of the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino. END