PH Embassy in Chile Introduces Rizal’s Life, Work to Students
Charge d’Affaires Marcos A.S. Punsalang presents the life and literary works of Dr. Jose Rizal to members of the academe and students of the Universidad de Santiago de Chile. (Santiago PE photo)
SANTIAGO 05 September 2018 – In celebration of National Heroes Day, the Philippine Embassy in Chile launched Expo Filipinas at the Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USC), with a centerpiece on Dr. Jose Rizal’s life and renowned literary works.
The exhibit featured copies of the El Filibusterismo and the Noli Me Tangere, as well as Rizal’s poems, specifically the Mi Ultimo Adios, A La Juventud Filipina, and Himno al Trabajo. It also featured samples of traditional Filipino products, books on Philippine history and cuisine, and photos of the country’s best tourist destinations from “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” campaign.
In his speech to a hundred members of the university’s academe and students, Philippine Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Marcos A.S. Punsalang highlighted Rizal’s extraordinary abilities including being a polymath with the ability to master various skills and subjects and a polyglot of 22 languages.
He underscored Rizal’s passion for poetry and creative writing, and his varying degrees of expertise in architecture, cartography, economics, ethnology, anthropology, sociology, dramatics, martial arts, fencing, and pistol shooting.
More importantly for the Chilean and other foreign students, Chargé d’Affaires Punsalang emphasized on how Rizal saw education as a solution to achieving real social change and liberation while expressing hope in the youth as the future of the country.
The opening ceremony also showcased videos promoting tourism and a live demonstration of Kali (Filipino martial arts) by PTK-SMH Santiago. Filipino desserts such as sapin-sapin and cassava cake were also served.
With the members of the diplomatic corps, the USC’s leadership, faculty members, students, and guests, Expo Filipinas was launched in collaboration with Professor Raul Thoms, a fulltime mathematics teacher who has dedicated time to research and promote Rizal’s legacy to the USC students. Biblioteca Director Paulina Pichihueche and USC Student Council President Juan Pablo De La Torre also provided support in organizing the event.
Expo Filipinas will be open to the public until 10 September 2018. END
Universidad de Santiago de Chile students view samples of Filipino handicrafts and historical artifacts. (Santiago PE photo)
PTK-SMH Santiago performs live demonstration of Kali using real traditional Philippine swords and other weaponry. (Santiago PE photo)
Universidad de Santiago de Chile students read about the colorful history of the baro’t saya alongside life-size and miniature samples of these traditional Filipino clothing. (Santiago PE photo)
For more information, visit www.santiagope.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinChile.