Filipinos, Belgians Celebrate the 130th Anniversary of the Publication of El Filibusterismo in Ghent, Belgium
Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Philippine Representative to the European Union Eduardo José A. de Vega addresses the guests during the opening of the celebration of the 130th Anniversary of the Publication of El Filibusterismo, the second novel of Dr Rizal, published in the City of Ghent on 25 September 1891. Mayor Mathias De Clercq of Ghent, warmly welcomes the Embassy officials and guests in his beautiful and historic city. (Brussels PE photos)
Philippine Ambassador to The Netherlands Jose Eduardo Malaya joins the celebration and gifts Mayor Mathias De Clerq with copies of Dr. Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in Dutch translation. (Brussels PE photo)
Mayor Mathias de Clerq of the City of Ghent joins Ambassador Eduardo José A. de Vega and Embassy officials, the Knights of Rizal, the Kababaihang Rizalista and members of the Filipino community in Belgium during the flower offering ceremony by the entrance of the building bearing a historical marker at Henegouwenstraat 47, 9000 Ghent where Dr. Rizal stayed in 1891. (Brussels PE photos)
Ambassador Eduardo José A. de Vega is joined by Mr. Peter de Bruyn, author of De Filipijnen de Eilanden van het Westen (The Philippines – Islands of the West) during the book launching and reception held at the Town Hall of Ghent. This book, written in Dutch, covers 500 years of the Philippines’ historical ties with Belgium. This is the second book written by Mr. de Bruyn about the Philippines. He plans to publish an English translation of the book in the near future. (Brussels PE photo)
Art and Rizaliana collection exhibit at the Monastery Poortackere Hotel. Ms. Antonette Borbes, a Filipina artist based in Ghent, showcased her paintings depicting various aspects of life in the Philippines alongside a collection of paintings on Dr. Rizal from Germany. Also featured in the exhibit were memoires, photos, articles and books about Dr. Rizal’s life in difference languages that were part of the very extensive Rizaliana collections in Belgium of Sir Lucien Spittael and Sir Eddie Verheye, Belgian Rizalist scholars and members of the Knights of Rizal. (Brussels PE photos)
The Chartering and the Knighthood Ceremony of the newly-established Gomburza-Ghent Chapter of the Knights of Rizal headed by Sir Herbert Cockx. The KOR Gomburza Chapter is composed of young men and women of Filipino/Belgian-Filipino origins who have pledged to promote among the second and third generation of Filipinos in Belgium the spirit of patriotism and the Rizalian chivalry, as well as a deep appreciation and love for their Philippine cultural heritage. Following rules of the Order, seven (7) members of the Gomburza Chapter were granted knighthood in a solemn ceremony held at the banquet hall that used to be the church of The Monasterium, a centuries-old monastery that has been converted to a classic hotel. (Brussels PE photos)
Philippine Embassy, Brussels and Belgian officials at the Gala Dinner at The Monasterium in Ghent. From left: Mr. Ronny de Blaere (Philippine Honorary Consul for the Flanders Region of Belgium); Mrs. Ingrid Maertens; Baron Constantijn van Vloten (Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation to The Netherlands); Mr. Frank Maertens (Adviser, Fire Brigades of Belgium); Ms. Liza Jane Estalilla (Cultural Officer & Attaché); Ambassador Eduardo José A. de Vega; Mr. Charleson Hermosura (Third Secretary and Vice Consul); Ms. Ma. Rosenia Centeno (Secretary to the Ambassador & Attaché); Col. Wim van Zele (Commander, East and Central Flanders Fire Brigade); Mrs. Myrna van Zele; Mr. Koen De Boever (Protocol Director, Office of the Mayor of Ghent). (Brussels PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.brusselspe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBelgium/.