07 January 2014- The Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam commemorated the 117th anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal’s martyrdom with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Embassy grounds on 30 December 2013.
The ceremony was attended by Embassy officers and staff, led by Ambassador Nestor Z. Ochoa and his wife, Madame Mayie E. Ochoa.
The program commenced with a flag-raising ceremony in honor of the national hero. Labor Attaché Atty. Ana C. Dione then led those present in prayer. Ambassador Ochoa and Defense Attaché Col. Carlos B. Cepe performed the wreath-laying rites.
The Ambassador’s message centered on Rizal’s contributions to Philippine nationalism. He highlighted the hero’s belief in the ability of an individual to improve oneself in many areas of human endeavor, as well as Rizal’s pakikipagkapwa-tao regardless of race, nationality, political and religious beliefs and sexual orientation.
Ambassador Ochoa also stated that Rizal exemplified the best of what global citizenship can offer, as many of our kababayans experience today.
At the end of the program, Embassy personnel shared breakfast at the Chancery. END