PH Consulate General in Xiamen Commemorates PH Independence Day at Rizal Square in Jinjiang
Acting Head of Post Vice-Consul Elaine Mae V. Laruan-Hernandez delivers her Kalayaan 2020 Message and leads Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen’s personnel in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Square in Jinjiang, China on 12 June 2020. (Xiamen PCG photo)
XIAMEN 17 June 2020 – In celebration of the 122nd Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence, Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen’s personnel and their families, led by Acting Head of Post Vice-Consul Elaine Mae V. Laruan-Hernandez, proceeded to Jinjiang City on 12 June 2020 and conducted a wreath-laying ceremony before the 18.61 meter high statue of Dr. Jose Rizal at the 20-hectare People’s Cultural Plaza/Rizal Square.
Acting Head of Post and Vice Consul Laruan-Hernandez, in her remarks, emphasized the significance of holding an independence day celebration at the Rizal Square as the Philippines honors a new set of heroes who are risking their lifev and limbs to give others the freedom to return to normal lives in light of the war being waged against a pandemic which has kept many people imprisoned in their own homes. In this regard, the Acting Head of Post thanked the Filipino frontliners for their dedication and service.
The event was also attended by Foreign Affairs Office of Jinjiang/Zhangzhou Director Charlene Chen who congratulated the Philippines on its National Day and conveyed China’s continued cooperation and friendly relations with the Philippines. Also present were officials from the Filipinos in Xiamen (FAX).
As a symbol of optimism and hope in the future generation, 18-year-old Francis Emmanuel P. Bautista and seven-year-old Elijah Rodriguez read the Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s message calling for “fear, selfishness, and prejudice” in this time of the pandemic.
The wreath-laying ceremony was followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and the recitation of the “Panunumpa sa Watawat”. The Consulate General’s personnel also made a quick educational tour of the Jinjiang Museum which features a Rizal corner showcasing interesting details about Dr. Rizal and the Lamco family.
Dr. Jose Rizal’s paternal lineage can be traced back to the village of Sionque in Chin-Chew (or Chang-chow) district in Fujian, Southern China from where his great, great grandfather, Ke Yinan (baptized Domingo Lamco) came from before he migrated to the Philippines during the late 1600s.
The statue was constructed with a height of 18.61 meters signifying Dr. Rizal’s birth year, 1861. The groundbreaking of this Chinese-Filipino Theme Park (now called People’s Cultural Plaza/Rizal Square) was held during the state visit of Former Philippine President Joseph Ejercito Estrada on 19 May 2000. END
“The youth is the hope of our future.” – Jose Rizal.
Masters Francis Emmanuel Bautista and Elijah Rodriguez read the Message of Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on the 122nd Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence. (Xiamen PCG photo)
The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen’s personnel and their families, led by Acting Head of Post Vice-Consul Elaine Mae V. Laruan-Hernandez, together with representatives of the Filipinos in Xiamen (FAX) holds a wreath-laying ceremony before the Rizal Monument in Jinjiang on 12 June 2020. (Xiamen PCG photo)
Philippine flags held high during the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and the recitation of the Panunumpa sa Watawat. The event was also attended by the Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Jinjiang Municipal Government Charlene Chen. (Xiamen PCG photo)
For more information, visit https://www.xiamenpcg.dfa.gov.ph.